Shiprock, New Mexico

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Shiprock is a census-designated place (population 8,156, according to the 2000 census) in San Juan County, New Mexico on the Navajo reservation.

Shiprock is named after the nearby Shiprock rock formation. It is home to the annual Northern Navajo Fair, held every October. It is also home to a campus of Diné College (formerly Navajo Community College), a tribally controlled community college with 7 other campuses across the Navajo Nation. It is the site of a Chapter House for the Navajo and a BIA Agency, as well as being a key road junction for truck traffic and tourists visiting the Four Corners, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon. Shiprock lies at the intersection of U.S. Highways 64 and 491 (formerly U.S. Highway 666.)

[edit] Geography

Shiprock is located at 36°47′34″N, 108°41′14″W (36.792789, -108.687294)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 42.0 km² (16.2 mi²). 41.1 km² (15.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (2.10%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 8,156 people, 2,184 households, and 1,847 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 198.3/km² (513.6/mi²). There were 2,594 housing units at an average density of 63.1/km² (163.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.74% Native American, 2.17% White, 0.16% African American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

There were 2,184 households out of which 52.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 28.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.4% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.73 and the average family size was 4.06.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 38.6% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,523, and the median income for a family was $24,951. Males had a median income of $24,032 versus $17,328 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $7,967. About 38.3% of families and 39.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.2% of those under age 18 and 47.5% of those age 65 or over.