Rocky Ford, Colorado

History

The community was named for a rocky ford across the Arkansas River near the original town site.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.7 sqmi, of which, 1.7 sqmi is land and 0.58% is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,286 people, 1,655 households, and 1,136 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,521.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,852 housing units at an average density of 1,089.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.42% White, 0.40% African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 21.86% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 57.14% of the population.

There were 1,655 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,359, and the median income for a family was $29,470. Males had a median income of $26,271 versus $17,485 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,742. About 14.6% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Rocky Ford is noted for its watermelon, cantaloupe and agriculture due to its soil content and fluctuation in temperatures providing great growing conditions.

Transportation

Rocky Ford is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is along the Lamar-Pueblo-Colorado Springs Outrider line.

Notable people

Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Rocky Ford include:

• Lewis Babcock (1943- ), judge
• Marvin Cordova, Jr. (1985- ), light welterweight boxer
• Paul Gebhard (1917–2015), anthropologist, sexologist
• Blaine Gibson (1918–2015), Disney sculptor (The Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean) and animator
• Earl T. Newbry (1900–1995), Oregon Secretary of State
• Manuel T. Pacheco (1941- ), university president
• George W. Swink (1836–1910), land developer, fruit grower
• Robert Swink (1918–2000), film editor
• John D. Vanderhoof (1922–2013), 37th governor of Colorado

References

References

1. "Active Colorado Municipalities". [[Colorado.
2. "Colorado Counties". [[Colorado.
3. . (2024). ["City Council"](https://www.cityofrockyfordco.gov/city-council-members).
4. (December 1, 2004). "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". [[Colorado.
5. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. United States Census Bureau. "Rocky Ford city; Colorado".
7. "ZIP Code Lookup". [[United States Postal Service]].
8. "U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Domestic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
9. Dawson, John Frank. "Place names in Colorado: why 700 communities were so named, 150 of Spanish or Indian origin". The J. Frank Dawson Publishing Co..
10. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. (November 6, 1983). "Colorado more than mountains". Boca Raton News.
12. "Bustang Schedule". CDOT.
13. "Marvin Cordova Jr". BoxRec.
14. Roberts, Sam. (July 22, 2015). "Paul Gebhard, Sex Researcher Who Worked With Kinsey, Dies at 98". The New York Times.
15. Colker, David. (July 8, 2015). "Blaine Gibson dies at 97; prominent sculptor, animator at Disney". Los Angeles Times.
16. Weber, Bruce. (July 11, 2015). "Blaine Gibson, Sculptor of Figures in Disney Parks, Dies at 97". [[New York Times]].
17. "Oregon Secretary of State Agency History, page 15". Oregon Blue Book.
18. "Manuel Trinidad Pacheco". University of Arizona.
19. "Our History". Rocky Ford Growers Association.
20. (September 23, 2013). "Former Colorado Gov. Vanderhoof dies at 91". The Denver Post.