Church Rock, New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Church Rock is a census-designated place
(CDP) in McKinley County
, New Mexico
, United States
. It is within the Navajo Nation
. The population was 1,077 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), of which, 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.83%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,077 people, 258 households, and 214 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 450.7 people per square mile (174.0/km²). There were 299 housing units at an average density of 125.1 per square mile (48.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.14% Native American, 0.65% White, 0.09% African American, 0.28% from other races
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population.
There were 258 households out of which 56.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples
living together, 31.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.17 and the average family size was 4.65.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 42.2% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,917, and the median income for a family was $28,958. Males had a median income of $23,529 versus $21,016 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $6,780. About 34.3% of families and 36.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
ore and 94 million USgals (355,828.7 m³) of heavy metal effluent into the Puerco River
. This was the largest release of radioactive waste in U.S. history, but until recently, no epidemiological studies were undertaken of the effects on the population. With the declining uranium market, two of the mines closed in 1983 and the third closed in February 1986.
In 2003 the Church Rock Uranium Monitoring Project was initiated by the Churchrock Chapter of the
Navajo Nation
to assess environmental impacts of abandoned uranium mines and build capacity to conduct community-based research with policy implications. Its May 2007 report found that significant radiation from both natural and mining sources remains in the area; the community is dedicated to remedy the problem as much as possible.
In 2005 the Navajo Nation prohibited any further uranium mining in the nation. In 2008 the US EPA and the Navajo EPA began a five-year plan to identify and ameliorate areas contaminated by uranium mining; their priority has been water sources and structures.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in McKinley County
McKinley County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*15.2% White*0.5% Black*75.5% Native American*0.8% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*4.6% Other races*13.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is within the Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
. The population was 1,077 at the 2000 census.
Navajo Nation government
| 2004-2008 Chapter Official | 2004-2008 Council Delegate | 2004-2008 Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny Livingston, President | Charles S. Damon II | Alice Largo, Coordinator |
| Robinson Kelly, Vice-President | Ernest D. Yazzie Jr. | Deeanna Washee, |
| Sherman Woody, Secretary/Treasurer | Titus Jay Nez, Office Assistant | |
| Vanessa Begay-Lee, Grazing Official |
| 2008-2012 Chapter Official | 2008-2012 Council Delegate | 2008-2012 Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Johnnie Henry Jr., President | Charles S. Damon II | Brian H. Chee, Coordinator |
| Robinson Kelly, Vice-President | Ernest D. Yazzie Jr. | Deeanna Washee, Office Specialist |
| Louise Jim, Secretary/Treasurer | Michelle Johns, Office Assistant | |
| Emery Chee, Grazing Official | Titus Jay Nez, Senior Planner/Staff Assistant |
Geography
Church Rock is located at 35°32′6"N 108°36′42"W (35.534961, -108.611593).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 CDP has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), of which, 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.83%) is water.
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 1,077 people, 258 households, and 214 families residing in the CDP. 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 450.7 people per square mile (174.0/km²). There were 299 housing units at an average density of 125.1 per square mile (48.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.14% Native American, 0.65% White, 0.09% African American, 0.28% 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 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population.
There were 258 households out of which 56.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% 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, 31.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.17 and the average family size was 4.65.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 42.2% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,917, and the median income for a family was $28,958. Males had a median income of $23,529 versus $21,016 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 CDP was $6,780. About 34.3% of families and 36.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Uranium mining
On July 16, 1979, the dam at a United Nuclear Corporation (based in Virginia) Church Rock uranium mill was breached and spilled 1,100 tons of milled uraniumUranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
ore and 94 million USgals (355,828.7 m³) of heavy metal effluent into the Puerco River
Puerco River
The Puerco River in northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona flows through arid terrain including the Painted Desert. The main tributary of the Little Colorado River, it drains an area of about and is long. The river's average discharge is very low, less than in normal years, because its...
. This was the largest release of radioactive waste in U.S. history, but until recently, no epidemiological studies were undertaken of the effects on the population. With the declining uranium market, two of the mines closed in 1983 and the third closed in February 1986.
In 2003 the Church Rock Uranium Monitoring Project was initiated by the Churchrock Chapter of the
Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
to assess environmental impacts of abandoned uranium mines and build capacity to conduct community-based research with policy implications. Its May 2007 report found that significant radiation from both natural and mining sources remains in the area; the community is dedicated to remedy the problem as much as possible.
In 2005 the Navajo Nation prohibited any further uranium mining in the nation. In 2008 the US EPA and the Navajo EPA began a five-year plan to identify and ameliorate areas contaminated by uranium mining; their priority has been water sources and structures.
Culture
Inter Tribal Ceremonial (August) brings thousands of visitors and members of almost all Indian tribes to Red Rock State Park.External links
- Church Rock Chapter of the Navajo Nation
- http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/contributions/civilsociety/ForgottenPeople.pdf
- http://www.sric.org/uranium/PUERCO92.html
- http://www.sric.org/uranium/CRUMPReportSummary.pdf
- http://www.ratical.org/radiation/KillingOurOwn/KOO9.html