Keams Canyon, Arizona Explained

Official Name:Keams Canyon
Native Name:Pongsikya
Settlement Type:CDP
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Map:USA
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the United States
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Name1:Arizona
Subdivision Name2:Navajo
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:43.12
Area Total Sq Mi:16.65
Area Land Km2:43.07
Area Land Sq Mi:16.63
Area Water Km2:0.05
Area Water Sq Mi:0.02
Elevation Ft:6427
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:265
Population Density Km2:6.15
Population Density Sq Mi:15.94
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:-7
Coordinates:35.8272°N -110.2375°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:86034
Area Code:928
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:04-37130
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2408463

Keams Canyon (Hopi: Pongsikya or Pongsikvi; Navajo; Navaho: '''{{spell-nv|Lókʼaaʼdeeshjin) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Navajo County, Arizona, United States, on the Hopi Reservation. The population was 304 at the 2010 census.

Pongsikya is a narrow box canyon that is named after a plant of edible greens that survived along the seasonal stream that drains from Antelope Mesa and flows through the long canyon.Here William Keam, and then his cousin Thomas Keam,[2] operated a trading post during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. They served the Navajo Indians and opened the door to commercial trade for the Hopi Indians. The nearest trading post was some away and Keam's trading post was east of the Hopi Indian's settlements on First Mesa.With the opportunity for full year round trade nearby, the regional Indians quickly identified the canyon with the traders and the name Keams Canyon took hold.[3]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.3sqmi, all land.

Demographics

Languages (2000) [4] Percent
Spoke English at home 61.8%
Spoke Tewa at home 20.6%
Spoke Hopi at home 17.7%
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 260 people, 74 households, and 44 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 28sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 106 housing units at an average density of 11.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the CDP was 7.7% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 89.6% Native American, and 2.3% from two or more races. 1.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 74 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 20.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.56.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 3.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 124.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,694, and the median income for a family was $36,111. Males had a median income of $28,889 versus $35,272 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,619. About 10.5% of families and 23.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Education

The Cedar Unified School District serves Keams Canyon.[6] The closed White Cone High School (2005–2012) was in the district and town.

The tribal (affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education) and open Hopi Junior/Senior High School is also located in Keams Canyon.

References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. October 29, 2021.
  2. James,Harry C. Pages from Hopi History. University of Arizona Press, 1974. . P195.
  3. Pecina, Ron and Pecina, Bob. Neil David’s Hopi World. Schiffer Publishing 2011. . Pages 8,9, and 38-41.
  4. Web site: Data Center Results.
  5. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
  6. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Navajo County, AZ. U.S. Census Bureau. March 18, 2023. 2 (PDF p. 3/4).