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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO - USA
Colorado Springs is a middle-sized city, located just east of the geographic
center of the state of Colorado in the United States. It has a population of
360,890 (according to the 2000 census) and is the second largest city in
Colorado. At elevation 6,035 feet, it is situated near the base of one of
the most famous American peaks, Pikes Peak, on the east side of the Rocky
Mountains. The capital of Colorado, Denver, is 68 miles to the north. The
city is the county seat of El Paso County.
Tourism
In addition to Pikes Peak, there are many other tourist attractions in the
area, including Garden of the Gods, a collection of large red sandstone
formations, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds, the United
States Olympic Training Complex, the American Numismatic Association and the
United States Air Force Academy. According to the Colorado Springs
Convention & Visitors Bureau, the area attracts some six million visitors
yearly.
Colorado Springs is served by the Colorado Springs Airport.
Geography
Colorado Springs is located at 38°51'48" North, 104°47'31" West (38.863443,
-104.791914)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
482.1 km˛ (186.1 mi˛). 481.1 km˛ (185.7 mi˛) of it is land and 1.0 km˛ (0.4
mi˛) of it is water. The total area is 0.21% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 360,890 people, 141,516 households, and
93,117 families residing in the city. The population density is 750.2/km˛
(1,942.9/mi˛). There are 148,690 housing units at an average density of
309.1/km˛ (800.5/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 80.66% White, 6.56%
African American, 0.88% Native American, 2.82% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander,
5.01% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. 12.01% of the
population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 141,516 households out of which 34.0% have children under the age
of 18 living with them, 51.5% are married couples living together, 10.6%
have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% are non-families.
27.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.9% have someone
living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is
2.50 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18,
10.3% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who
are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100
females there are 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
are 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $45,081, and the median
income for a family is $53,478. Males have a median income of $36,786 versus
$26,427 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,496. 8.7% of
the population and 6.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the
total people living in poverty, 10.8% are under the age of 18 and 7.2% are
65 or older.
Industry
United States Air Force Academy - Air Force
Cheyenne Mountain Air Station - Air Force: a major military center, home of
NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), it is housed in Cheyenne
Mountain, south of Pikes Peak.
Peterson Air Force Base - Air Force
Schreiver Air Force Base - Air Force
Fort Carson - Army
MCI - Telecommunications - has a fairly large engineering presence
Colleges and Universities
Colorado Springs is the home of Colorado College and the University of
Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), as well as the United States Air Force
Academy.
Sports Teams
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox baseball team, in the Pacific Coast League (AAA
classification), a minor league affiliate of the major league Colorado
Rockies.
The Colorado Springs Blizzard soccer team, in the Premier Development League
a division of the United Soccer Leagues
Religion
In recent years, Colorado Springs has attracted a large influx of
Evangelical Christians. Evangelical groups with headquarters at Colorado
Springs include Focus on the Family (a Christian organization active on many
social and political issues), Compassion International, The Navigators,
Youth with a Mission, Young Life and the International Bible Society.
History
In August 1871, Colorado Springs was founded by General William Palmer, a
veteran of the American Civil War.
Trivia
The events depicted in the Emmy Award-winning dramatic television series Dr.
Quinn, Medicine Woman, starring actress Jane Seymour, were set in this town.
Kelsey Grammer's sister was murdered after leaving a Red Lobster in Colorado
Springs, Colorado.
Lon Chaney was born in Colorado Springs on April 1, 1883. The Chaney Theater
is named for him.
Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira, Mistress of the Night) attended Palmer
High School in downtown Colorado Springs. She graduated in the class of
1969.
Leeann Tweeden worked briefly as a waitress at a local Hooters in the
1991-1992 timeframe.
Bobby Unser was born in Colorado Springs on February 20, 1934.
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