Somerton is a city in Yuma County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 14,287.[3] It is part of the Yuma Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Somerton, Arizona | |
|---|---|
 Somerton's 50,000-Gallon Water Tank - 1920 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Somerton in Yuma County, Arizona | |
  Somerton Location in the United States  Somerton Somerton (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 32°36′02″N 114°41′58″W / 32.60056°N 114.69944°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arizona |
| County | Yuma |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.28 sq mi (18.87 km2) |
| • Land | 7.27 sq mi (18.84 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 14,197 |
| • Density | 1,951.75/sq mi (753.53/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
| ZIP code | 85350 |
| Area code | 928 |
| FIPS code | 04-68080 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411927[2] |
| Website | somertonaz |
Somerton was established in 1898 and incorporated in 1918. Somerton's economy is based on agriculture, medical services, and tourism.[4]
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), all land.
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 938 | — | |
| 1930 | 891 | −5.0% | |
| 1940 | 1,247 | 40.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,825 | 46.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,613 | −11.6% | |
| 1970 | 2,225 | 37.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,969 | 78.4% | |
| 1990 | 5,282 | 33.1% | |
| 2000 | 7,266 | 37.6% | |
| 2010 | 14,287 | 96.6% | |
| 2020 | 14,197 | −0.6% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 14,514 | [5] | 2.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] | |||
At the 2000 census, there were 7,266 people in 1,818 households, including 1,652 families, in the city. The population density was 5,483.2 inhabitants per square mile (2,117.1/km2). There were 1,967 housing units at an average density of 1,484.4 per square mile (573.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 44.5% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 51.1% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. 95.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 1,818 households 59.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.1% were non-families. 7.8% of households were one person and 4.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.99 and the average family size was 4.21.
The age distribution was 38.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% 65 or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median household income was $26,544 and the median family income was $27,944. Males had a median income of $21,619 versus $16,677 for females. The per capita income for the city was $7,960. About 24.0% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 27.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
editSomerton is served by the Somerton Elementary School District, the Crane Elementary School District, and the Yuma Union High School District. PPEP TEC High Schools's José Yepez Learning Center is located in Somerton. Somerton High School opened in August 2023. Arizona Western College also offer courses at the Somerton Middle School campus.
Events
editSomerton has an annual Tamale Festival that benefits students from the area who will be attending Arizona State University. More than 20,000 visitors attend the festival each year. The festival is put together by The El Diablito Arizona State University (ASU) Alumni chapter. The chapter was established by ASU graduates who have returned to work and live in the Yuma/Somerton/San Luis areas.
Transportation
editSomerton is served by Yuma County Area Transit, which connects with Greyhound in Yuma.
Images of Somerton
edit-
Somerton City Hall -
Somerton Tamale Festival -
Downtown Somerton -
Abandoned Baptist Church built in 1900 -
Inmaculado Corazón de María Church before it was repainted in 2023 -
Inmaculado Corazón de María Church marker -
Former flag of Somerton, Arizona, which was used until 2020.
References
edit- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Somerton, Arizona
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ^ Somerton community profile from Arizona Department of Commerce, updated 3/2/16
- ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.