Centennial is a home rule municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States.[1] The city population was 108,418 at the 2020 United States Census, making Centennial the 11th most populous municipality in Colorado.[3] Centennial is a part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.
Centennial, Colorado | |
|---|---|
 Centennial Civic Center located on East Arapahoe Road | |
 Flag | |
| Motto: Spirit of the Past | |
 Centennial in Arapahoe County, Colorado | |
  Centennial Location of Centennial in the United States  Centennial Centennial (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 39°36′14″N 104°45′37″W / 39.60389°N 104.76028°W[2] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Arapahoe County[1] |
| Incorporated | February 7, 2001 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Home rule municipality[1] |
| • Mayor | Stephanie Piko[citation needed] |
| Area | |
| 77.355 km2 (29.867 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 76.976 km2 (29.721 sq mi) |
| • Water | 0.379 km2 (0.146 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,744 m (5,722 ft) |
| Population | |
| 108,418 | |
| • Rank | 11th in Colorado |
| • Density | 1,409/km2 (3,648/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,963,821 (19th) |
| • CSA | 3,623,560 (17th) |
| • Front Range | 5,055,344 |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| ZIP Codes[4] | 80015-80016, 80111-80112, 80121-80122, 80161 (PO Box) |
| Area code(s) | 303/720/983 |
| FIPS code | 08-12815 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2408300[2] |
| Website | www |
| 11th most populous Colorado city | |
History
editCentennial was formed on February 7, 2001, from portions of unincorporated Arapahoe County, including the former Castlewood and Southglenn census-designated places (CDPs).[5] The citizens of the area had voted to incorporate on September 12, 2000, choosing Centennial as the official name during the vote. The name reflects Colorado's admission to the Union as the 38th state in 1876, the centennial year of the United States Declaration of Independence.[6] The state of Colorado is nicknamed the "Centennial State".[6]
Incorporation was approved by 77% of the voters, and the population of the area at over 100,000 made it the largest incorporation in U.S. history as of its creation. The city was incorporated in large part to prevent further annexations of unincorporated areas by the city of Greenwood Village in an attempt to improve its tax base.[7] The taxes generated from businesses in unincorporated portions of Arapahoe County funded the majority of the county's services, including road work. A number of court cases[specify] eventually established the right of incorporation to take precedence over the right of annexation.[citation needed]
The city was incorporated on a promise to keep city taxes at 1%. (One of the campaigns against incorporation appealed to voters to maintain the 3.8% sales tax of the unincorporated county.) According to the Centennial website, the current sales tax rate is two-and-a-half times the promised rate, at 2.5%.
In 2008, Centennial voters approved a referendum by approximately a 2-to-1 margin making Centennial a home rule city.[8]
Centennial Airport, formerly Arapahoe County Airport, lies adjacent to Centennial, but is located in unincorporated Arapahoe County. The airport is not named after the city, as it predates the city by over 30 years.
Geography
editCentennial is roughly divided in half by Interstate 25, with most of its business and entertainment centers lying west of the highway. The city's boundaries are highly irregular and evocative of a gerrymander, particularly the overwhelmingly residential eastern portions of the city, which appear with Foxfield, portions of Aurora, and unincorporated areas as a distorted checkerboard on the city's map.[9]
Centennial has many hills, gullies and ravines, and its open spaces are usually accompanied by recreational trails and parks, including Dry Creek Dam, DeKoevend Park, the High line Canal Trail, Willow Creek Trail, as well as Big Dry Creek and Little Dry Creek Trails. Centennial hosts most native wildlife and is a good reflection of Colorado's front range ecosystem. Centennial has seen a boost in coyote populations in recent years, leading to resident education on how to deter coyotes from eating family pets.[10]
Centennial is located at 39°35'47" North, 104°50'38" West (39.5963, −104.8439).[11]
At the 2020 United States Census, the city had a total area of 19,115 acres (77.355 km2) including 94 acres (0.379 km2) of water.[3]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 100,377 | — | |
| 2020 | 108,418 | 8.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 82,664 | 81,391 | 82.35% | 75.07% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,146 | 3,545 | 3.13% | 3.27% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 284 | 266 | 0.28% | 0.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 4,340 | 6,794 | 4.32% | 6.27% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 94 | 109 | 0.09% | 0.10% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 131 | 508 | 0.13% | 0.47% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 2,261 | 5,387 | 2.25% | 4.97% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7,457 | 10,418 | 7.43% | 9.61% |
| Total | 100,377 | 108,418 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The city is approximately composed of 87.4% White, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 3.6% Asian, 2.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, and 0.3% from other races.
The median age is 37.2 years, in comparison to the 35.3-year national average. For every 100 females, there are 98 males.
Economy
editNational CineMedia and United Launch Alliance are among the companies based in Centennial. According to Centennial's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[14] the top employers in the city are:
Schools
editMost of Centennial is within the territory of the Cherry Creek Public Schools while the western portion of the city in the territory of Littleton Public Schools.[15] Centennial is also served by a few private schools.
Private Elementary and Middle Schools
- St. Thomas More Parish School
- Highlands Baptist Academy
- Shepherd of the Hills Christian School
- Centennial Christian Academy
- C.A.R.E. Middle School
Seminary
Government
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The city is governed under the council-manager form of government[16] which limits the power of the city to levy and collect taxes. The city council has eight members. The Mayor and Council Members are all part-time officials who hold other full-time jobs.
| Office | Incumbent | |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stephanie Piko | |
| Council Members, District I | Robyn Carnes | Amy Tharp |
| Council Members, District II | Christine Sweetland | Tammy Maurer |
| Council Members, District III | Richard Holt | Mike Sutherland |
| Council Members, District IV | Don Sheehan | Marlo Alston |
| City Clerk | Barb Setterlind | |
| City Manager | Matt Sturgeon | |
Points of interest
edit- International Headquarters for Gamma Phi Beta sorority are located in Centennial. Gamma Phi Beta was the first women's organization to use the term "sorority".
- Centennial was chosen in 2008 as the site of the first IKEA store in Colorado.[18] The IKEA Centennial location opened on July 27, 2011. It is the second-largest IKEA store in the United States.[19] IKEA Centennial was awarded the Project of the Year in 2011 by city of Centennial.[20]
- Centennial is home to the headquarters of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). NCBA also maintains an office in Washington, D.C.
- Centennial is home to the headquarters of Arrow Electronics and is the largest company headquartered in Colorado.[21]
Notable people
editNotable individuals who were born in or have lived in Centennial include:
- Amy Barczuk (1990–), soccer defender, midfielder[22]
- Madisen Beaty (1995–), actress[23]
- Melissa Benoist (1988–), actress
- Tory Bruno (1961–), CEO, United Launch Alliance
- Tom Costello (1963–), NBC NEWS Washington-based correspondent[24][25]
- Kevin Gausman (1991–), baseball pitcher[26]
- Kenny McKinley (1987–2010), football wide receiver[27]
- George Ratterman (1926–2007), football quarterback[28]
- Spencer Swalm (1951–), Colorado state legislator[29]
- Jack Tate (1963–), Colorado state legislator[30]
- Ken Tribbett (1991–), soccer defender, midfielder[31]
- Sean Tufts (1982–), football, linebacker for the Carolina Panthers[32]
Surrounding municipalities
editSee also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Active Colorado Municipalities". Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Centennial, Colorado
- ^ a b c d "Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data". United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Commerce. August 12, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on September 3, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
- ^ Wallace, Susan. "Centennial off to fast start". Denver Post. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "Profile for Centennial, Colorado, CO". ePodunk. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ^ Duran, Marlys (November 11, 1998). "SOUTH METRO TURF WAR CENTENNIAL WOULD BOOST ARAPAHOE COUNTY STILL WOULD RECEIVE TAXES, BUT RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD SHRINK". Rocky Mountain News. Denver, Colorado. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- ^ Illescas, Carlos (June 11, 2008). "Centennial goes home rule". Denver Post.
- ^ "Centennial Map". open-centennial.opendata.arcgis.com. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "CentennialColorado.com redirects to CentennialCo.gov". Centennialcolorado.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Centennial city, Colorado". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Centennial city, Colorado". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "Centennial, Colorado ACFR" (PDF). centennialco.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "Centennial Street Map - School Districts." (Archive) City of Centennial. Retrieved on December 13, 2013.
- ^ "City Manager's Office - City of Centennial". Centennialco.gov. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
- ^ "Elected Officials". www.centennialco.gov. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "Cbs4denver.com - IKEA Announces Plans for Colorado Store". Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
- ^ "IKEA Centennial Home Furnishings - IKEA". Ikea.com. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
- ^ "Archived copy". www.ourcoloradonews.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Arrow Electronics | 2022 Fortune 500". Fortune. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Amy Barczuk". Boston Breakers. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Madisen Beaty - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Tom Costello". LinkedIn.
- ^ "Student shooting suspect was targeting teacher, officials say". NBC News.
- ^ "Kevin Gausman". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Associated Press (September 29, 2010). "Sheriff: Broncos WR Kenny McKinley Found Dead". NPR. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Goldstein, Richard (November 10, 2007). "George Ratterman, Football Star and Sheriff, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Spencer Swalm's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Jack Tate's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Ken Tribbett". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Sean Tufts Stats, News and Video - LB". NFL.com.
External links
edit
Media from Commons
Travel information from Wikivoyage
