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TAOS, NEW MEXICO - USA
Taos is a town located in Taos County, New Mexico. As of the 2000 census,
the town had a total population of 4,700. It is a large town in north-central
New Mexico located near Taos Pueblo, the Native American village and tribe
from which it takes its name. It is the county seat of Taos County.
The word 'Taos' means 'red willow' in the Tewa language. Many people in Taos
claim to have experienced what is termed the Taos Hum. It is believed that
this ultra low frequency originates from a covert hidden government research
laboratory, whose existence has neither been proven or disproved. Other
scientists ascribe this phenomenon to naturally-occurring geological events.
The lore of this phenomenon has become part of the appeal of this unique
community.
Taos was established following the Spanish
conquest of the Pueblo villages.
During the 1770s Taos was repeatedly raided by Comanches who at that time
lived in the plains of what is now eastern Colorado. Juan Bautista de Anza,
governor of the Province of New Mexico, led a successful punitive expedition
in 1779 against the Comanches.
Beginning in 1898 artists began to settle in Taos. In time an art colony
developed. Many paintings were made of local scenes, especially of Taos
Pueblo and activities there. Many of the artists used Native Americans from
the pueblo as models in often fanciful paintings. Some of the artists'
studios have been preserved and may be viewed by visitors to Taos. For more
information see Taos art colony.
Another tourist attraction is the home of Kit Carson. Julia Roberts married
in Taos in July 2002.
Geography
Taos is located at 36°23'38" North, 105°34'36" West (36.393979,
-105.576705).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of
13.9 km˛ (5.4 mi˛). 13.9 km˛ (5.4 mi˛) of it is land and none of the area is
covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 4,700 people, 2,067 households, and
1,157 families residing in the town. The population density is 337.9/km˛
(874.5/mi˛). There are 2,466 housing units at an average density of 177.3/km˛
(458.8/mi˛). The racial makeup of the town is 68.04% White, 0.53% African
American, 4.11% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 21.66%
from other races, and 4.94% from two or more races. 54.34% of the population
are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,067 households out of which 27.5% have children under the age of
18 living with them, 34.7% are married couples living together, 16.2% have a
female householder with no husband present, and 44.0% are non-families.
37.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.1% have someone
living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is
2.18 and the average family size is 2.87.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18,
6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who
are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100
females there are 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
are 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $25,016, and the median
income for a family is $33,564. Males have a median income of $27,683 versus
$23,326 for females. The per capita income for the town is $15,983. 23.1% of
the population and 17.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the
total people living in poverty, 26.8% are under the age of 18 and 24.4% are
65 or older.
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