Chinle, Arizona

For other uses, see Chinle (disambiguation).
Chinle, Arizona
Census-designated place

Location in Apache County and the state of Arizona
Coordinates: 36°9′17″N 109°34′45″W / 36.15472°N 109.57917°WCoordinates: 36°9′17″N 109°34′45″W / 36.15472°N 109.57917°W
Country United States
State Arizona
County Apache
Area
 • Total 16.1 sq mi (41.6 km2)
 • Land 16.0 sq mi (41.5 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation 5,506 ft (1,678 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 4,518
 • Density 282/sq mi (108.8/km2)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP codes 86503
Area code 928
FIPS code 04-12770
GNIS feature ID 0002861

Chinle (Navajo: Chʼínílį́) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The name in Navajo means "flowing out" and is a reference to the location where the water flows out of the Canyon de Chelly.[1] The population was 4,518 at the 2010 census.[2]

Geography

Chinle is located at 36°9′17″N 109°34′45″W / 36.15472°N 109.57917°W (36.154718, -109.579040).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.1 square miles (41.6 km2), of which 16.0 square miles (41.5 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.16%, is water.[2]

Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 5,366 people, 1,358 households, and 1,076 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 334.7 people per square mile (129.2/km²). There were 1,644 housing units at an average density of 102.6 per square mile (39.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.28% Native American, 6.39% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 1.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,358 households out of which 52.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 30.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.84 and the average family size was 4.43.

In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 43.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 5.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,324, and the median income for a family was $26,182. Males had a median income of $25,321 versus $22,663 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $8,755. About 40.4% of families and 43.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.6% of those under age 18 and 46.9% of those age 65 or over.

History

After a period of use for trade and war by the Spanish, Chinle was the site of the 1864 peace conference between Kit Carson and the Navajo people that ended the war between the Navajo and the U.S. The first trading post (only a tent at the time) was established here in 1882. This grew to a full-sized camp by 1885. A government school was established in 1910.[5]

Initially anglicized as Chin Lee, the name was changed to Chinle on April 1, 1941.[5]

Education

Chinle High School

The area is served by Chinle Unified School District.

Schools in the area considered to be Chinle include Mesa View Elementary School (K-6), Tsaile Elementary (K-8), Many Farms School (K-8), Canyon de Chelly Elementary School (1-3), Chinle Elementary School (4-6), Chinle Junior High School (7-8), and Chinle High School (9-12).

A branch of the Diné College is located here as well as a branch of Northern Arizona University and Navajo Technical University.

Health

The Navajo AIDS Network is based in Chinle.

Amenities

Restaurants

The Junction Restaurant in Chinle

Chinle is the home of several sit-down and fast food restaurants, most of which are located on the US 191 and Indian Route 7 that run through town. In terms of fast food, Chinle has a Burger King, Subway restaurant, and Church's Chicken. For casual dining there is the Junction Restaurant (located next to the Best Western), the King Dragon Chinese restaurant (adjacent to the Wells Fargo), Smith's Cafe, and Pizza Edge (just south of Bashas').

Groceries and shopping

A Bashas' Diné grocery store is located in the center of Chinle. Other quick grocery stops, such as a Pic-n-run, are also available. Chinle also has a general store for general clothing, home, and appliance needs, as well as Navajo art shops and trading posts.

Local facilities

Chinle has a large community center dedicated to serving the local community. Next to it is a large sports complex, the Wild Cat Den, where several popular basketball games are played.

Churches

Many religious organizations are represented in Chinle. There are churches for Baptists, a Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mennonite Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Grace Fellowship Community Church, Canyon Family Church, Foursquare Gospel Church, Chinle Potters House, and Catholic Church (Our Lady of Fatima), a meetinghouse for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Kingdom Hall for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Hotels

Chinle's Best Western

There are three sleeping accommodations for those visiting Chinle, including a Best Western and Holiday Inn and Sacred Canyon Lodge (The Thunderbird Lodge).

Miscellaneous

In terms of banking, there is a Wells Fargo located in Chinle, and the post office is right next to it. For those considering moving to Chinle, there is a U-Haul drop off location for those who will be facilitating their own relocation. There are at least 2 laundromats. A movie rental store is located next to the Silver Coin Laundry.

Sites of interest

Notable residents

Russell Means, as "a grandfather with twenty-two grandchildren", divided his time between Chinle and Porcupine, South Dakota."[6]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chinle, Arizona.

References

  1. ↑ "Chinle Chapter". Chinle Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Chinle CDP, Arizona". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Byrd H. Granger (1960). Arizona Place Names. University of Arizona Press. p. 8. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  6. ↑ Means, Russell; Marvin J Wolf (1995). Where white men fear to tread: the autobiography of Russell Means. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312136215.