Tohatchi, New Mexico

Tohatchi (Navajo: Tó Haachʼĩʼ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,037 at the 2000 census. Tohatchi is located on the Navajo Nation.

Tohatchi, New Mexico
CDP
Location of Tohatchi, New Mexico
Tohatchi
Location in the United States
Tohatchi
Tohatchi (the United States)
Coordinates: 35°51′1″N 108°45′3″W
Country United States
State New Mexico
CountyMcKinley
Area
 • Total6.3 sq mi (16.3 km2)
 • Land6.2 sq mi (16.0 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation
6,447 ft (1,965 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total1,037
 • Density167.8/sq mi (64.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
87325
Area code(s)505
FIPS code35-78440
GNIS feature ID0902849

Geography

Tohatchi is located at 35°51′1″N 108°45′3″W (35.850262, -108.750709).[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16 km2), of which 6.2 square miles (16 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (2.06%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 1,037 people, 292 households, and 225 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 167.8 people per square mile (64.8/km²). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 55.8 per square mile (21.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.36% Native American, 6.85% White, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 0.10% African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 2.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.15% of the population.

There were 292 households out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 22.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.55 and the average family size was 4.18.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 36.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $28,167, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $22,917 versus $21,429 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,217. About 32.0% of families and 31.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.4% of those under age 18 and 42.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Gallup-McKinley County Schools

The local public schools in Tohatchi are operated by Gallup McKinley County Schools. They include Tohatchi Elementary School, Tohatchi Middle School, and Tohatchi High School. The public schools are located off Highway 491.

The mascot of the schools is a cougar, with the school colors being maroon and gold. The Tohatchi High School Lady Cougars notably won the 2017 New Mexico High School Girls 3-A Basketball Championship.[3][4]

Before Tohatchi High School was built in the 1980s, the mascot had previously been a bobcat, but the mascot was changed to a cougar sometime in the 1970s. The school colors were different as well.

Grant School

Formerly Chuska Boarding School, Ch'ooshgai Community School[5] is a grant school that offers kindergarten through 8th grade.

Notable History

Tohatchi Boarding School

A boarding school that had been operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs served area students. The boarding school was shut down after the addition of public schools to Tohatchi.

A School For Me, Inc. (ASMI)[6]

A private, non-profit facility for students with special needs began in 1976 at Chuska Boarding School. The program aimed to provide opportunities for engaging in life skills, academics, and vocational education, as an effort to develop and maintain special education services for the local indigenous community.

ASMI served 76 students in 1977.[6]

Local Tribal Government

Tohatchi has a chapter house, a local administrative office that governs a part of the Fort Defiance Agency of the Navajo Nation. It was built in 1952 and renovated in 1989.[7]

Notable People

In film

The 1965 film The Hallelujah Trail directed by John Sturges starring Burt Lancaster was shot in nearby locations with the Chuska Mountains serving as a backdrop to some of the movie's most iconic scenes.

References
  1. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. "Max Preps". 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  4. "Navajo Times". 2017-03-16. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  5. "Ch'ooshgai Community School". Ch'ooshgai Community School, Inc. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  6. "Projects in Progress." Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, [Education Division], Office of Education, Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education. Dec 31, 1979. Accessed January 30, 2020.
  7. "History". Tohatchi Chapter. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
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