Rodeo, California

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Rodeo (pronounced "row DAY' oh") is a census-designated place (CDP) located in Contra Costa County, California. The population was 8,717 at the 2000 census. The town is named for the livestock roundups common in the late 1800s. (See rodeo.) Rodeo was the hometown of Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, as well as wackpacker Eric the Midget.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 PETA and Rodeo 4 External links

[edit] Geography

Rodeo is located at 38°1′53″N, 122°15′44″W (38.031271, -122.262139)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 19.1 km² (7.4 mi²), all land. Hillcrest Elementary School is now closed, but it has been replaced by Rodeo Hills Elementary School.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 8,717 people, 2,882 households, and 2,204 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 456.7/km² (1,183.3/mi²). There were 2,984 housing units at an average density of 156.3/km² (405.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 52.20% White, 16.04% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 16.04% Asian, 0.50% Pacific Islander, 7.17% from other races, and 6.76% from two or more races. 17.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,882 households out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.42.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $60,522, and the median income for a family was $63,151. Males had a median income of $46,077 versus $32,452 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,432. About 6.0% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] PETA and Rodeo

In October 2003, animal rights group PETA urged the town to change its name because it invokes images of the sport of rodeo, which they claim is harmful to animals. As a replacement name, they suggested Unity, an acknowledgement of Union Oil's role in saving the area economically in the late 19th century. PETA offered to donate $20,000 worth of veggie burgers to local schools if the name was changed. Residents of Rodeo were not warm to the proposal and it appeared to have little chance of succeeding.

[edit] External links

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 38.031271° -122.262139°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA