Shiprock, New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Shiprock is a census-designated place
(CDP) in San Juan County
, New Mexico
, United States
, on the Navajo reservation
. The population was 8,156 at the 2000 census
. It is part of the Farmington
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Shiprock is named after the nearby Shiprock
rock formation. It is home to the annual Northern Navajo Fair, held every October. It is also home to a campus of Diné College
(formerly Navajo Community College), a tribally controlled community college
with seven other campuses across the Navajo Nation
. It is the site of a Chapter House for the Navajo, a Bureau of Indian Affairs
agency, an Indian Health Service hospital, and a branch of Farmington Public Library
.
Shiprock is a key road junction for truck traffic and tourists visiting the Four Corners
, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon
. The town lies at the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and U.S. Highway 491(formerly U.S. Highway 666.) Despite its location at the confluence of two substantial roads and close to many tourist locations the town is notable for having no hotels or motels, the nearest options being in Farmington, New Mexico
to the East and Cortez, Colorado
to the North.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 16.2 square miles (42 km²), of which 15.9 square miles (41.2 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) (2.10%) is water.
of 2000, there were 8,156 people, 2,184 households, and 1,847 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 513.6 people per square mile (198.3/km²). There were 2,594 housing units at an average density of 163.3 per square mile (63.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.17% White, 0.16% African American, 96.74% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.
There were 2,184 households out of which 52.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples
living together, 28.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.4% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.73 and the average family size was 4.06.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 38.6% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,523, and the median income for a family was $24,951. Males had a median income of $24,032 versus $17,328 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $7,967. About 38.3% of families and 39.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.2% of those under age 18 and 47.5% of those age 65 or over.
serves Shiprock as well as other communities in western San Juan County.
's 1994 film Pontiac Moon
starring Ted Danson
was partially shot here.
It was one of the filming locations for the 1994 crime film Natural Born Killers
.
The 2002 film "Rocks With Wings", directed by Rick Derby, follows the Navajo members of the Lady Chieftains
, the girls' basketball team from Shiprock High School
, as they struggle with a new (black) coach, their own expectations, and those of their community and the "Anglo" world around them.
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 San Juan County
San Juan County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*51.6% White*0.6% Black*36.6% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*7.2% Other races*19.1% 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...
, on the Navajo reservation
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 8,156 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. It is part of the Farmington
Farmington, New Mexico
Farmington is a city in San Juan County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 U.S. Census the city had a total population of 45,877 people. Farmington makes up one of the four Metropolitan Statistical Areas in New Mexico. The U.S...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Shiprock is named after the nearby Shiprock
Shiprock
Shiprock is a rock formation rising nearly above the high-desert plain on the Navajo Nation in San Juan County, New Mexico, USA. It has a peak elevation of above the sea level. It lies about southwest of the town of Shiprock, which is named for the peak...
rock formation. It is home to the annual Northern Navajo Fair, held every October. It is also home to a campus of Diné College
Diné College
Diné College is a two-year, tribally controlled community college, serving the 27,000 square-mile Navajo Indian Reservation, which spans the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah....
(formerly Navajo Community College), a tribally controlled community college
Tribal colleges and universities
Tribal colleges and universities are a category of higher education, minority-serving institutions in the United States. The educational institutions are distinguished by being controlled and operated by Native American tribes; they have become part of American Indians' institution-building in...
with seven other campuses across 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...
. It is the site of a Chapter House for the Navajo, a Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
agency, an Indian Health Service hospital, and a branch of Farmington Public Library
Farmington Public Library
Farmington Public Library is a public library system in San Juan County, New Mexico. The main library is in Farmington and there is one branch library in Shiprock.- History :The library was founded in 1921 in the living room of Mrs. Lorena Mahany’s home...
.
Shiprock is a key road junction for truck traffic and tourists visiting the Four Corners
Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. It is the only point in the United States shared by four states, leading to this area being called the Four Corners region...
, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States...
. The town lies at the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and U.S. Highway 491(formerly U.S. Highway 666.) Despite its location at the confluence of two substantial roads and close to many tourist locations the town is notable for having no hotels or motels, the nearest options being in Farmington, New Mexico
Farmington, New Mexico
Farmington is a city in San Juan County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 U.S. Census the city had a total population of 45,877 people. Farmington makes up one of the four Metropolitan Statistical Areas in New Mexico. The U.S...
to the East and Cortez, Colorado
Cortez, Colorado
The city of Cortez is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 8,482 at the 2010 census...
to the North.
Geography
Shiprock is located at 36°47′34"N 108°41′14"W (36.792789, -108.687294).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 16.2 square miles (42 km²), of which 15.9 square miles (41.2 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) (2.10%) 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 8,156 people, 2,184 households, and 1,847 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 513.6 people per square mile (198.3/km²). There were 2,594 housing units at an average density of 163.3 per square mile (63.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.17% White, 0.16% African American, 96.74% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% 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 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.
There were 2,184 households out of which 52.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% 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, 28.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.4% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.73 and the average family size was 4.06.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 38.6% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,523, and the median income for a family was $24,951. Males had a median income of $24,032 versus $17,328 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 $7,967. About 38.3% of families and 39.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.2% of those under age 18 and 47.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Central Consolidated SchoolsCentral Consolidated Schools
Central Consolidated Schools is a public school district based in Shiprock, New Mexico, United States.The district covers a area in western San Juan County...
serves Shiprock as well as other communities in western San Juan County.
In Film
ParamountParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
's 1994 film Pontiac Moon
Pontiac Moon
Pontiac Moon is a 1994 adventure film directed by Peter Medak, and produced by Robert Schaffel and Youssef Vahabzadeh.The film stars Ted Danson as Washington Bellamy, a "pigheaded" science teacher in a small California town, and Mary Steenburgen as his wife Katherine. Danson was also one of 3...
starring Ted Danson
Ted Danson
Edward Bridge “Ted” Danson III is an American actor best known for his role as central character Sam Malone in the sitcom Cheers, and his role as Dr. John Becker on the series Becker. He also plays a recurring role on Larry David's HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm and starred alongside Glenn Close...
was partially shot here.
It was one of the filming locations for the 1994 crime film Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers is a 1994 crime/black comedy film directed by Oliver Stone about two victims of traumatic childhoods who became lovers and psychopathic serial killers, and are irresponsibly glorified by the mass media...
.
The 2002 film "Rocks With Wings", directed by Rick Derby, follows the Navajo members of the Lady Chieftains
Lady Chieftains
The Lady Chieftains are a girls basketball team from Shiprock, New Mexico, located on the Navajo Nation. They are the subject of the documentary Rocks with Wings...
, the girls' basketball team from Shiprock High School
Shiprock High School
Shiprock High School is a public high school in Shiprock, New Mexico . Shiprock High is a part of the Central Consolidated School District along with Kirtland Central High School and Newcomb High School. The school colors are Maroon, Silver, and Turquoise and the mascot is the...
, as they struggle with a new (black) coach, their own expectations, and those of their community and the "Anglo" world around them.