The
City and County of Broomfield is a prominent suburb and tier of the Denver metropolitan area in the State of Colorado of the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Broomfield has a
consolidated city and county governmentIn United States local government, a consolidated city–county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state...
which operates under Article XX, Sections 10-13 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado. The
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
records stated that the population was 55,889 on April 1, 2010. Broomfield is the
16th most populous cityThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
and the
16th most populous countyThe U.S state of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Counties are important units of government in Colorado since the state has no secondary civil subdivisions, such as townships...
in Colorado. Broomfield is a part of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the
Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Areathumb|300px|Map of the 12-county Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaThe Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Combined Statistical Area located in the Denver region of the state of Colorado...
.
History
The municipality of Broomfield was incorporated in 1961 in the southeastern corner of
Boulder CountyBoulder County is the sixth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county seat is Boulder. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is the City of Boulder...
. It received its name from the broomcorn grown in the area. Over the next three decades, the city grew through
annexationAnnexation is the de jure incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity . Usually, it is implied that the territory and population being annexed is the smaller, more peripheral, and weaker of the two merging entities, barring physical size...
s, many of which crossed the county line into three adjacent counties:
AdamsAdams County is the fifth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 441,603 in 2010 census, a 21.4% increase since 2000 census. Adams County is named for Alva Adams, Governor of the...
,
JeffersonJefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
and
WeldAs of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
. In the 1990s, city leaders began to push for the creation of a separate county to avoid the inefficiencies of dealing with four separate court districts, four different county seats, and four separate county sales tax bases. It also had longstanding political differences with Boulder County, which impelled it to separate. Broomfield reasoned that it could provide services more responsively under its own county government, and sought an amendment to the Colorado State Constitution to create a new county. The amendment was passed in 1998, after which a three-year transition period followed. On November 15, 2001, Broomfield County became the 64th, newest and smallest county of Colorado.
Geography and Climate
Broomfield is located at 39°55′55"N 105°3′57"W (39.931817, -105.065919).
According to the
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 27.5 square miles (71.2 km²), of which 27.1 square miles (70.2 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) (1.24 percent) is water.
Broomfield has a semi-arid climate (
Köppen climate classificationThe Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
BSk
).
Adjacent counties
- Weld County, Colorado
As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
- northeast
- Adams County, Colorado
Adams County is the fifth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 441,603 in 2010 census, a 21.4% increase since 2000 census. Adams County is named for Alva Adams, Governor of the...
- southeast
- Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
- southwest
- Boulder County, Colorado
Boulder County is the sixth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county seat is Boulder. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is the City of Boulder...
- northwest
Demographics
At the 2000
censusA census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 38,272 people, 13,842 households and 10,270 families residing in the city. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,411.6 per square mile (545.1/km²). There were 14,322 housing units at an average density of 528.2 per square mile (204.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.62 percent White, 0.92 percent African American, 0.61 percent Native American, 4.14 percent Asian, 0.04 percent Pacific Islander, 3.21 percent from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.45 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.07 percent of the population.
There were 13,842 households of which 41.2 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8 percent were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.2 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8 percent were non-families. 19.3 percent of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 people, and the average family size was 3.19 people.
Age distribution was 29.3 percent under the age of 18, 7.7 percent from 18 to 24, 36.3 percent from 25 to 44, 20.1 percent from 45 to 64, and 6.6 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
The
median household incomeThe median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $69,419 and the median family income was $82,106 in a 2007 estimate. Males had a median income of $49,732 versus $31,864 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $26,488. About 2.1 percent of families and 4.2 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3 percent of those under age 18 and 6.3 percent of those age 65 or over.
Economy
In the 1990s, Broomfield and other area suburbs experienced tremendous economic growth, much of it focused in
technologyHigh tech is technology that is at the cutting edge: the most advanced technology currently available. It is often used in reference to micro-electronics, rather than other technologies. The adjective form is hyphenated: high-tech or high-technology...
. According to the Broomfield Economic Development Corporation website, Broomfield's top three employers are
IBMInternational Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
with 3,400 employees,
Ball Corp.Ball Corporation , originally Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, is an American company famous for producing glass canning jars. Founded in 1880, it is currently headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. The company has expanded into other areas such as avionics, space systems, metal beverage...
with 3,100 employees and
Level 3 CommunicationsLevel 3 Communications is a telecommunications and Internet service provider headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado.It operates a Tier 1 network. The company provides core transport, IP, voice, video and content delivery for most of the medium to large Internet carriers in North America and Europe...
with 2,089 employees.
Seagate TechnologySeagate Technology is one of the world's largest manufacturers of hard disk drives. Incorporated in 1978 as Shugart Technology, Seagate is currently incorporated in Dublin, Ireland and has its principal executive offices in Scotts Valley, California, United States.-1970s:On November 1, 1979...
and
Oracle CorporationOracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
(formerly Sun Microsystems) are also notable technology companies with a presence in Broomfield.
Outdoors
Broomfield has an extensive trail system that connects the various lakes and parks. A scenic trail connects the Stearns Lake and the Josh's Pond on the west side of town. Broomfield also has a 9/11 memorial containing a piece of a steel beam from one of the towers.
Broomfield is home to many youth sports programs including
Broomfield Blitz Youth Football, a non-profit 501c organization dedicated to providing exercise and athletic development.
Broomfield also has a skate park with many different features such as bowls, a large half pipe and several "street" obstacles.
Local business
The
Flatiron Crossing MallFlatIron Crossing Mall is a shopping mall, owned by Macerich Property Group, in Broomfield, Colorado. The mall is designed to reflect the active, outdoor lifestyle of Colorado. FlatIron Crossing features almost of retail space set in a two-level enclosed shopping mall, and an adjoining . outdoor...
is a large shopping and entertainment center, anchored by
NordstromNordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
,
Macy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
,
The Great Indoors-History:The Great Indoors concept was introduced in 1997 by Sears. They believed the chain could have 150 stores within the next 10 years. However, the chain did not prove successful, and Sears started closing stores. All stores in California are closing, with two remaining in Burbank, CA and...
and
Best BuyBest Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
.
The
Broomfield EnterpriseThe Broomfield Enterprise is the city newspaper for Broomfield, Colorado, USA, and is published twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. It is published by Prairie Mountain Publishing, which is owned by MediaNews Group.-External links:*...
is the local newspaper.
Broomfield Chamber of Commerce is the local business chamber.
Government
- Mayor - Patrick Quinn (term expires 2011)
- Mayor Pro-Tem - Walt Spader (term expires 2011)
- City & County Manager - Charles Ozaki
- City & County Attorney - William A. Tuthill III
Council members
- Ward 1
- Todd Schumacher (term expires 2011)
- Bob Gaiser (term expires 2013)
- Ward 2
- Lori Cox (term expires 2011)
- Dennis McCloskey (term expires 2013)
- Ward 3
- Kevin Jacobs (term expires 2011)
- Sam Taylor (term expires 2013)
- Ward 4
- Walt Spader (term expires 2011)
- Greg Stokes (term expires 2013)
- Ward 5
- Linda Reynolds (term expires 2011)
- Martha Derda (term expires 2013)
Education
Since Broomfield used to be divided among four counties, students living in the city were serviced by the appropriate school for their county. Even though the city is now united within one county, students attend the same schools they would have attended if county boundaries had remained the same.
The main school districts in Broomfield are
Adams Twelve Five Star SchoolsThe Adams County School District 12, commonly known as the Adams 12 Five Star Schools, is a public school district located in western Adams County, Colorado, United States...
and
Boulder Valley School DistrictThe Boulder Valley RE 2 School District is a school district in Colorado, headquartered in the BVSD Education Center in unincorporated Boulder County, near Boulder. The district serves Boulder, Gold Hill, Jamestown, Lafayette, Louisville, Nederland, Superior, and Ward...
.
Broomfield features two large public high schools (
Broomfield High SchoolBroomfield High School is a public high school located in the city of Broomfield, Colorado.-History:In 1961, a junior and senior high school opened at 14th and Daphne to serve students within the newly incorporated city of Broomfield. High school classes at the school began in the fall of 1964...
, currently being remodeled, and Legacy High), two public middle schools and eight public elementary schools. There are three private schools:
Broomfield AcademyBroomfield Academy is an independent nationally accredited private elementary school and middle school serving children ages 2 ½-14. It is located in Broomfield, Colorado, and offers small class sizes, individualized student learning plans and an advanced curriculum...
, with an academic preschool, an elementary school and a middle school for ages 3–14; Holy Family, a Catholic high school; and Nativity of Our Lord Parish, a Catholic elementary school. Broomfield also contains a K-12 charter school, Front Range Academy, which has two Broomfield campuses.
Sister cities/twin towns
Broomfield and KingswoodBroomfield and Kingswood is a civil parish in the Maidstone district of Kent, England. The parish lies to the east of Maidstone, south of the A20 road to Folkestone. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,545. The parish covers the villages of Broomfield and Kingswood.-External...
,
KentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
,
United KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Uedais a city in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The city was formed on March 6, 2006, when the city of Ueda, the towns of Maruko, Sanada and the village of Takeshi merged to form the city of Ueda...
,
Nagano Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
,
JapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(became a sister city after the former town of Maruko became part of the new city of Ueda on March 6, 2006)
See also
- State of Colorado
- Colorado cities and towns
- Colorado municipalities
The U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- Colorado counties
The U.S state of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Counties are important units of government in Colorado since the state has no secondary civil subdivisions, such as townships...
- Colorado metropolitan areas
The metropolitan areas of the State of Colorado include the urban statistical areas defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget and regions of urban population defined by other organizations.-Census statistical areas:...
- Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area
- Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area
thumb|300px|Map of the 12-county Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaThe Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Combined Statistical Area located in the Denver region of the state of Colorado...
- North Central Colorado Urban Area
thumb|240px|An enlargeable map of the 13-county North Central Colorado Urban AreaThe North Central Colorado Urban Area comprises the four contiguous metropolitan statistical areas in the north central region of the State of Colorado: the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Boulder...
- Front Range Urban Corridor
The Front Range Urban Corridor is an oblong region of urban population located along the eastern face of the Southern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. states of Colorado and Wyoming. The corridor derives its name from the Front Range, the mountain range that defines the west central boundary of the...
- Northwest Parkway
The Northwest Parkway is an toll road running from the intersection of I-25 and E-470 to US 36 at 96th Street. Both termini are in Broomfield, Colorado, northwest of Denver. In combination with E-470 and SH 470 , the Northwest Parkway forms a partial beltway of approximately around the...
- United States Government
- Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge
The Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located approximately 16 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado. The site was previously occupied by the Rocky Flats Plant, a nuclear weapons production facility...
External links