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Rodeo, California

Rodeo (pronounced "row DAY' oh") is a town located in Contra Costa County, California. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 8,717. The town is named for the livestock roundups common in the late 1800s. (See rodeo.)

In October 2003, animal rights group PETA urged the town to change its name because it invokes images of the sport of rodeo, which they claim is harmful to animals. As a replacement name, they suggested Unity, an acknowledgement of Union Oil's role in saving the area economically in the late 19th century. PETA offered to donate $20,000 worth of veggie burgers to local schools if the name was changed. Residents of Rodeo were not warm to the proposal and it appeared to have little chance of succeeding.

Geography

Rodeo is located at 38°1'53" North, 122°15'44" West (38.031271, -122.262139)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.1 km² (7.4 mi²). 19.1 km² (7.4 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 8,717 people, 2,882 households, and 2,204 families residing in the town. The population density is 456.7/km² (1,183.3/mi²). There are 2,984 housing units at an average density of 156.3/km² (405.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 52.20% White, 16.04% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 16.04% Asian, 0.50% Pacific Islander, 7.17% from other races, and 6.76% from two or more races. 17.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,882 households out of which 38.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% are married couples living together, 17.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% are non-families. 18.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.00 and the average family size is 3.42.

In the town the population is spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $60,522, and the median income for a family is $63,151. Males have a median income of $46,077 versus $32,452 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,432. 6.8% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 8.5% are under the age of 18 and 6.2% are 65 or older.