El Cenizo, Texas

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El Cenizo is a city in Webb County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,545 at the 2000 census.

In May, 2006, El Cenizo gained national attention when it was widely reported that the town had adopted Spanish as its official language. In an interview on a national cable news network held on May 23, 2006, its mayor defended the decision but said that official business was now conducted in both English and Spanish. He also said that while he supported English as the common and unifying language of the United States, he believed that any attempt to make English that "official" national language would have a discriminatory effect against bilingual programs.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Education
4 External links

[edit] Geography

El Cenizo is located at 27°19′42″N, 99°29′48″W (27.328442, -99.496658)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 km² (0.5 mi²). 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is land and 1.89% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,545 people, 730 households, and 680 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,683.8/km² (6,919.6/mi²). There were 811 housing units at an average density of 614.0/km² (1,583.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.73% White, 0.28% African American, 1.07% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 14.67% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 98.90% of the population.

There were 730 households out of which 72.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 6.8% were non-families. 6.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.86 and the average family size was 5.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 48.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 10.9% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 18 years. For every 100 females there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $13,333, and the median income for a family was $13,438. Males had a median income of $14,200 versus $10,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $3,610. About 66.3% of families and 68.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 74.3% of those under age 18 and 60.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

El Cenizo is served by the United Independent School District.

El Cenizo is zoned to Kennedy-Zapata Elementary School (Unincorporated Webb County), Salvador Garcia Middle School (unincorporated Webb County), and Lyndon B. Johnson High School (Laredo).