Clayton, New Mexico

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clayton is a town in Union County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 2,524 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Union County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Celebrations
4 Museums
5 Clayton Lake State Park
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Clayton is located at 36°26′59″N, 103°10′51″W (36.449835, -103.180756)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.2 km² (4.7 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,524 people, 1,079 households, and 691 families residing in the town. The population density was 206.9/km² (535.7/mi²). There were 1,289 housing units at an average density of 105.7/km² (273.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 75.36% White, 1.07% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 20.44% from other races, and 2.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 46.47% of the population.

There were 1,079 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,600, and the median income for a family was $30,109. Males had a median income of $26,554 versus $17,054 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,967. About 14.2% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Celebrations

The biggest celebrations held in Clayton New Mexico are the July 4th celebrations. Rodeos, Chili Cookoff's, Homebrew Beer Brewoff's, Huge BBQ, Street Dance, Softball Tournaments, Horseshoe Tournaments, Parades, Fireworks display and more.

[edit] Museums

Clayton hosts two museums. The Herzstein Memorial Museum, rum by the Union County Historical Society is Claytons largest museum, open daily and by appointment. The WPA museum at Clayton High School is open by appointment only.

[edit] Clayton Lake State Park

Clayton Lake State Park is located 15 miles north of Clayton, close to New Mexico's border with Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. The landscape is characterized by rolling grasslands, volcanic rocks, and sandstone bluffs, set on the western edge of the Great Plains. The area was a stopover point for travelers along the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail.
Visitors today can enjoy picnicking, camping and superb fishing at the park's 170-acre lake, as well as view one of the most extensive dinosaur track ways in North America. Clayton Lake was created by the State Game and Fish Department in 1955 as a fishing lake and winter waterfowl resting area.
A dam was constructed across Seneca Creek, which is actually a series of seeps except after heavy rains.
During the fishing season, which usually runs from March to October each year, the lake is a popular spot for anglers hoping to catch trout, catfish, bass and walleye. Boats are allowed on the lake, but are restricted to trolling speeds. The lake is closed to fishing during the winter, when it serves as a stopover for water fowl.
The park offers camping and picnicking facilities, a group shelter, and a modern comfort station. The dinosaur tracks are located on the dam spillway, at the end of a gentle 1/4 mile trail. Best times to view the tracks are in the morning and the late afternoon. A sheltered gazebo and a boardwalk trail along the track way provide extensive information regarding the dinosaurs who traveled here so long ago.