Parker, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Parker is a town in and the county seat
of La Paz County
, Arizona
, United States
, on the Colorado River
in Parker Valley
. The population was 3,140 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 22 square miles (57 km²), of which, 22 square miles (57 km²) of it is land and 0.05% is water.
According to Census Bureau maps, the town is divided into two non-contiguous sections; the northern section consists of the original town and is located in the Colorado River Indian reservation
and the southern section consists of a larger, roughly rectangular section of largely undeveloped territory.
Wintertime highs in Parker are generally in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Lows during the winter are between 40°F (4°C) and 50°F (10°C), with an occasional day dipping below 40°F (4°C). The all-time lowest recorded temperature in Parker occurred on December 31, 1911, when temperatures bottomed out at 9°F (-13°C).
Summers in Parker can be dangerously hot, with highs in June, July, August, and September remaining in the 100°F (38°C) to 110°F (43°C) range, with occasional days over 115°F (46°C) or even +120°F (49°C) not completely out of the question.
April and May both average 90°F (32°C) to 100°F (38°C) daytime highs. Even the month of October has an average high of 90°F (32°C). The all time highest recorded temperature in Parker was 127°F (53°C), which occurred on July 7, 1905.
Temperatures in Parker have reached 110°F (43°C) in seven months of the year at least one time throughout its history; only November (100°F), December (92°F), January (87°F), February (96°F), and March (102°F) have not.
of 2000, there were 3,140 people, 1,064 households, and 791 families residing in the town. The population density
was 142.8 people per square mile (55.2/km²). There were 1,157 housing units at an average density of 52.6 per square mile (20.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 62.04% White
, 1.88% Black
or African American
, 23.09% Native American
, 0.86% Asian
, 0.16% Pacific Islander
, 7.45% from other races
, and 4.52% from two or more races. 29.78% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,064 households out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,625, and the median income for a family was $37,663. Males had a median income of $26,542 versus $21,006 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,016. About 10.6% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
is a public use airport
located one nautical mile (1.8 km) east of the central business district
of Parker. It is owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes
. The Arizona & California Railroad is headquarted in Parker.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of La Paz County
La Paz County, Arizona
La Paz County is a county in the western part of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2010 census its population was 20,489. The county seat is Parker...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
in Parker Valley
Parker Valley
The Parker Valley of the Lower Colorado River is located at Parker, Arizona-Earp, California, . It is at the northern area of the Colorado River Indian Reservation on the Colorado River, and is also at the northern perimeter of the La Posa Plain...
. The population was 3,140 at the 2000 census.
History
Founded in 1908, the town was named for Ely Parker, the first Native American commissioner for the U.S. government. The original town site of Parker was surveyed and laid out in 1909 by a railroad location engineer by the name of Earl. H. Parker. However, the town's name and origin began when a post office was established January 6, 1871, on the Colorado River Indian reservation to serve the Indian agency.Geography
Parker is located at 34°8′41"N 114°17′23"W (34.144644, -114.289686).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The 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 town has a total area of 22 square miles (57 km²), of which, 22 square miles (57 km²) of it is land and 0.05% is water.
According to Census Bureau maps, the town is divided into two non-contiguous sections; the northern section consists of the original town and is located in the Colorado River Indian reservation
Colorado River Indian Tribes
The Colorado River Indian Tribes is a geo-political unit consisting of the four distinct tribes associated with the Colorado River Indian Reservation: the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo. The combined tribe is governed by a council of nine members and overseen by a tribal Chairman, Secretary...
and the southern section consists of a larger, roughly rectangular section of largely undeveloped territory.
Climate
Parker has an arid climate classification, which is characterized by extremely hot summers and warm winters.Wintertime highs in Parker are generally in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Lows during the winter are between 40°F (4°C) and 50°F (10°C), with an occasional day dipping below 40°F (4°C). The all-time lowest recorded temperature in Parker occurred on December 31, 1911, when temperatures bottomed out at 9°F (-13°C).
Summers in Parker can be dangerously hot, with highs in June, July, August, and September remaining in the 100°F (38°C) to 110°F (43°C) range, with occasional days over 115°F (46°C) or even +120°F (49°C) not completely out of the question.
April and May both average 90°F (32°C) to 100°F (38°C) daytime highs. Even the month of October has an average high of 90°F (32°C). The all time highest recorded temperature in Parker was 127°F (53°C), which occurred on July 7, 1905.
Temperatures in Parker have reached 110°F (43°C) in seven months of the year at least one time throughout its history; only November (100°F), December (92°F), January (87°F), February (96°F), and March (102°F) have not.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A 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...
of 2000, there were 3,140 people, 1,064 households, and 791 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 142.8 people per square mile (55.2/km²). There were 1,157 housing units at an average density of 52.6 per square mile (20.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 62.04% White
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
, 1.88% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
, 23.09% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
, 0.86% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
, 0.16% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
, 7.45% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race 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 4.52% from two or more races. 29.78% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race 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...
of any race.
There were 1,064 households out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage 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, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,625, and the median income for a family was $37,663. Males had a median income of $26,542 versus $21,006 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per 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 town was $15,016. About 10.6% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Avi Suquilla AirportAvi Suquilla Airport
Avi Suquilla Airport is a public use airport located one nautical mile east of the central business district of Parker, a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. It is owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes...
is a public use airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located one nautical mile (1.8 km) east of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Parker. It is owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes
Colorado River Indian Tribes
The Colorado River Indian Tribes is a geo-political unit consisting of the four distinct tribes associated with the Colorado River Indian Reservation: the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo. The combined tribe is governed by a council of nine members and overseen by a tribal Chairman, Secretary...
. The Arizona & California Railroad is headquarted in Parker.