Parker, Colorado

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Parker, Colorado
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settlement_type = Town
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map_caption = Location in Douglas County and the state of Colorado


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = USA
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = flag|Colorado|name=State of Colorado
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Douglas Countycite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | format = HTML | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | accessdate = 2007-09-01]
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government_type = Home Rule Municipality
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = David Casiano
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established_title =
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established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = May 1981cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/muninc.html | title = Colorado Municipal Incorporations | format = HTML | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives | date = 2004-12-01 | accessdate = 2007-09-02]
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unit_pref = Imperial
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area_total_km2 = 37.8
area_land_km2 = 37.8
area_water_km2 = 0
area_total_sq_mi = 14.6
area_land_sq_mi = 14.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 23558
population_density_km2 = 623.2
population_density_sq_mi = 1613.6
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = -6
latd = 39 |latm = 31 |lats = 10 |latNS = N
longd = 104 |longm = 45 |longs = 57 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =GR|3
elevation_m = 1789
elevation_ft = 5869
postal_code_type = ZIP codescite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup| format = JavaScript/HTML | publisher = United States Postal Service | accessmonthday = December 2 | accessyear = 2007]
postal_code = 80134, 80138
area_code = Both 303 and 720
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 08-57630
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:0185051 0185051]
website = [http://www.parkeronline.org/ www.parkeronline.org]
footnotes =
The most populous Colorado town

The Town of Parker is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous town in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. In recent years, Parker has become an commuter town and part of the Denver Metropolitan Area. As of the U.S. Census 2000, the town population was 23,558. Its population as of 2006 is estimated at 41,406,cite web | date = June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-08.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Colorado | format = CSV | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessmonthday = November 16 | accessyear = 2006] over 145 times its population of 285 when Parker incorporated in 1981. [http://www.parkeronline.org/community_information/parker_history.aspx Parker History] from the town's official website] Parker is now the 17th most populous municipality in the State of Colorado.

The town's rapid growth in recent decades is often credited to Jim Nicholson, whose fourteen years spent developing the area earned him the town's first "Cornerstone Award". [ [http://www.westword.com/Issues/1998-01-08/news/columns.html The Party Line] , a January 1998 column from "Westword"]

Geography

Parker is located at coor dms|39|31|10|N|104|45|57|W|city (39.519488, -104.765833).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²). 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 sq mi or 0.14%) of it is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 23,558 people, 7,929 households, and 6,525 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,615.2 people per square mile (623.4/km²). There were 8,352 housing units at an average density of 572.6/sq mi (221.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.60% White, 1.71% Asian, 1.01% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.

There were 7,929 households out of which 52.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the town the population was spread out with 34.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 43.4% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 2.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $74,116, and the median income for a family was $77,384. Males had a median income of $52,070 versus $35,700 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,479. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Local Media

Parker currently has two local papers, The Parker Chronicle, The Douglas County News/Press, and also receives The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. Parker also receives the county-wide channel, Douglas County 8, which broadcasts school sports events and assorted programs run by residents. The channel is sponsored by Comcast.

Education

Parker is served by Douglas County School District RE-1. The two primary high schools in the area, Ponderosa and Chaparral, have a cross-town rivalry and compete annually for The Pride of Parker trophy. Legend High School opened in 2008, as Douglas Counties ninth High School.Private schools in Parker include:
* [http://www.aveangels.org/ Ave Maria Catholic School] (PK-8)
* [http://www.sechristian.org/School/tabid/291/Default.aspx Southeast Christian School] (PK-8)
* [http://www.lhsparker.org/ Lutheran High School Parker] (9-12)
* [http://pmei.org/parkermontessori/ Parker Montessori Educational Institute] (PK-3)
*Veritas Christian Academy (K-8)

For other Parker and Douglas County school information:
* [http://schools.dcsdk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=5543 Mammoth Heights Elementary School]
* [http://www1.dcsdk12.org/secondary/sms/ Sierra Middle School]
* [http://www.southofdenver.com/schools.html Douglas County School Info]

Additional resources

*"A Folk History of Parker and Hilltop", by Sandy Whelchel, Parker DistributingPaintbrush Press
*"Parker, Colorado: An historical narrative", by Ruth Miller, Parker Area Historical Society

ee also

*Colorado municipalities
*Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area
*Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area
*Douglas County, Colorado
*Front Range Urban Corridor
*State of Colorado

References

External links

* [http://www.parkeronline.org/ Town of Parker website]
* [http://www.parkercolorado.org ParkerColorado.org] / Parker Economic Development Council
** [http://www.dot.state.co.us/App_DTD_DataAccess/Downloads/CityMaps/Parker.pdf CDOT map of the Town of Parker]
* [http://www.parkerfire.org Parker Fire Department]
* [http://www.parkercolorado.net/ Unofficial Town of Parker Website] Community Calendar, Q&A BLOG
* [http://denver.yourhub.com/PARKER/ YourHub.com/Parker]
* [http://www.parkerletip.com ParkerLeTip.com] Networking organization for Parker businesses.
* [http://www.parkerchamber.com ParkerChamber.com] Parker Chamber of Commerce
* [http://www.thewildlifeexperience.org/ The Wildlife Experience] Current Special Events
*Rueter-Hess Reservoir Rueter-Hess Reservoir