Meeker is a statutory town in and the county seat of Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States, that is the most populous municipality in the county. The town population was 2,374 at the 2020 United States census. the United States Indian Agent who was killed along with 11 other white citizens by White River Ute Indians in the 1879 Meeker Incident, also known as the Meeker Massacre. The site of the uprising, the former White River Indian Agency, is located along State Highway 64 in the White River valley west of town and is marked by a prominent sign. None of the buildings remain.

Meeker was the first incorporated town in northwestern Colorado and is the county seat for Rio Blanco county. former mayor of New York, Henry Kravis, former president and COO of Goldman Sachs Jon Winkelried, and comedian Daniel Tosh.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land. The town is situated on the White River at an elevation of above sea level.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Meeker has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Meeker was on July 11, 1900, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 7, 1913, and January 12, 1963.

|source 2 = National Weather Service

Education

Meeker is served by Meeker School District RE-1. The district operates three schools in the city:

  • Meeker Elementary School
  • Barone Middle School
  • Meeker High School

Colorado Northwestern Community College operates an academic service center in Meeker. The college's primary campuses are located in Rangely and Craig.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Meeker had a population of 2,374. The median age was 37.4 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 987 households in Meeker, of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.4% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 2,052 || 86.4%

|-

| Black or African American || 14 || 0.6%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 18 || 0.8%

|-

| Asian || 7 || 0.3%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 2 || 0.1%

|-

| Some other race || 96 || 4.0%

|-

| Two or more races || 185 || 7.8%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 258 || 10.9%

|}

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As of the census of 2000, there were 2,242 people, 919 households, and 605 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,054 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 96.39% White, 0.71% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 1.92% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.73% of the population.

There were 919 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males. These numbers do not include the residents of the unincorporated area surrounding the town.

The average income for households in the unincorporated areas surrounding Meeker was $46,250. The median income for a household in the town was $34,479, and the median income for a family was $43,529. Males had a median income of $36,026 versus $18,242 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,647. About 9.0% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.-->

Notable people

  • Neal Blue, co-owner of General Atomics
  • Virginia Neal Blue (1910–1970), Colorado State Treasurer from 1967 to 1970
  • Margaret L. Curry (1898–1986), Colorado state parole officer
  • Buddy Roosevelt, actor and stunt performer

See also

  • List of municipalities in Colorado
  • Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area, northwest of Meeker

References

  • Meeker Range Call and 4th of July Celebrations
  • Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
  • City-data.com entry for Meeker, Colorado
  • Meeker Regional Library
  • Pioneers Medical Center