Rocky Ford, Colorado

Rocky Ford is a statutory city located in Otero County, Colorado, United States. The population was 3,876 at the 2020 census.

Geography

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

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Rocky Ford had a population of 3,876. The median age was 41.4 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.4 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,595 households in Rocky Ford, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 35.5% were married-couple households, 24.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2000, there were 4,286 people, 1,655 households, and 1,136 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 1,852 housing units at an average density of . 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