| Durango, Colorado |
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Durango (, Colorado ( USA ). As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,922. It is the County Seat of La Plata County . Durango is located at at an elevation of 1988 meters (6523 feet). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 17.6 Km&2 (6.8 Mi&2 ). HISTORY The town was organized in September 1880 by the Denver And Rio Grande Railroad to serve the San Juan mining district. The D&RGRR chose a site south of Animas City for its depot after Animas City refused to pay a "dowery" to the D&RGRR. The city is named after Durango , Mexico . ATTRACTIONS Durango sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, and the Animas River -- El Río de las Animas Perdidas "River of Lost Souls" -- which offers fishing, rafting and kayaking, flows through it. There are many outdoor activities available within the city limits and in the surrounding area. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, kayaking, rafting and golfing are extremely popular, and hardcore enthusiasts partake all year. In the winter, Durango has easy access to five major ski areas. Mesa Verde National Park , a preserved archaeological site, is located about 35 miles west of Durango. Another attraction is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad , a Heritage Railway that carries residents and tourists from Durango to Silverton, Colorado and back. Durango hosted the first-ever Mountain Bike World Championships in 1990. TRANSPORTATION AND BUSINESS Durango is served by U.S. Highway 160 (the Old Spanish Trail ) and U.S. Highway 550 . Part of U.S. 550 offers high-speed access (primarily a 4-lane, divided highway) to Albuquerque, New Mexico . It offers a regional shopping center and La Plata Regional Airport (actually located near Ignacio) is a major regional airport for southwestern Colorado. COLLEGES Fort Lewis College is situated on a Mesa (bluff) overlooking downtown Durango, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association Of Colleges And Schools . Pueblo Community College is a small community college located on Camino del Rio. San Juan Technical College , located outside of Cortez, Colorado , 45 miles away, offers EMT certification in Durango DEMOGRAPHICS As of the Census of 2000, there were 13,922 people, 5,492 households, and 2,603 families residing in the city. The Population Density was 792.8/km&2 (2,052.4/mi&2). There were 5,819 housing units at an average density of 331.4/km&2 (857.8/mi&2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.84% White , 0.50% African American , 5.51% Native American , 0.74% Asian , 0.11% Pacific Islander , 4.12% from Other Races , and 2.17% from two or more races. 10.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 5,492 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were Married Couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83. In the city, 16.6% of residents are under the age of 18, 26.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 103.8 males. The median income for a household in the city is $34,892, and the median income for a family is $50,814. Males have a median income of $31,812 versus $25,022 for females. The Per Capita Income for the city is $19,352. 17.2% of the population and 7.3% of families live below the Poverty Line . 11.2% of those younger than 18 and 8.9% of those 65 and older live below the poverty line. EXTERNAL LINKS
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