Уайт-Рок, Нью-Мексико: История и современность

White Rock in San Juan County or the Navajo Whiterock Chapter

White Rock is an unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) in Los Alamos County, New Mexico. It is one of two major population centers in the county; the other is Los Alamos (the county seat). The population was 5,725 at the 2010 census. It is largely a bedroom community for employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory and their families. Access to White Rock from the town of Los Alamos and other cities and towns in New Mexico is via New Mexico State Road 4, which forms the northwestern boundary of the community. Administratively, White Rock is a neighborhood of Los Alamos; locals refer to Los Alamos (meaning not White Rock) as "the Townsite," or "the Hill".

In 1947 the United States Atomic Energy Commission acquired about 100 acres from the United States Forest Service to build a company town to house construction and other contractors’ workers who did not qualify to reside within the secured city of Los Alamos. The town was erected quickly from early 1949, with the intent to provide accommodation for up to 1800 residents by mid September of that year. This was accomplished with standard building designs, many prefabricated, and included dormitories for 912 men and 32 women, 64 single , 297 double and 48 three bedroom houses, all as rental properties, as well as provision for 217 mobile homes. A school, shopping center, post office and administration building were also included. By June 1950 the population was estimated 1000 to 1200 persons, including 325 families, but from 1952 steadily dropped with the decline in major construction projects. By 1953, 251 of the prefab dwelling units had been declared surplus and disposed of, and by 1957 only 9 houses and 20 mobile home spaces were rented. The town was officially closed on September 30, and the remaining structures disposed of by the end of that year. In early 1960 the site was offered as a housing development site to interested developers, for up to 200 houses, with purchase priority being given to people connected to LASL. Work on the second and present White Rock was begun in 1962.`

White Rock is located in southeastern Los Alamos County at (35.819439, 106.204779). It is bordered to the north and east by Santa Fe; the eastern border follows the Rio Grande through White Rock Canyon. The elevation of the White Rock townsite is 6365 feet (1940 m), 900 feet (274 m) above the river elevation in the canyon. The CDP includes the neighborhood of Pajarito Acres, directly south of and at the same elevation as the White Rock townsite. The center of the town of Los Alamos is 9 mile (14 km) northwest of White Rock, via New Mexico State Roads 4 and 502. A gated entrance to Los Alamos National Laboratory is on Pajarito Road, accessed directly from White Rock. According to the United States Census Bureau, the White Rock CDP has a total area of , of which , or 0.59%, are water.

Largely undeveloped White Rock Canyon, on the eastern edge of the community, provides a wilderness recreation area heavily used by residents of White Rock and Santa Fe. The canyon was carved through basalt and tuff by the south flowing Rio Grande. The canyon runs from the Otowi Suspension Bridge in the north and to Cochiti Dam in the south, with many smaller tributary canyons such Los Alamos, Mortandad, Water, Ancho, Frijoles, and Capulin Canyon. White Rock is situated on a portion of the west side of the canyon along with Bandelier National Monument, a section of Los Alamos National Laboratory, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo, and Santa Fe National Forest. Across the river to the east rises the Caja del Rio. For a few decades the Chili Line, a narrow gauge railroad, ran on the east bank of the river as far south as the mouth of Diablo Canyon; some day the Rio Grande Trail may occupy the abandoned right of way. Averaging 1000 feet (305 m) deep, the canyon provides spectacular vistas, rugged terrain and home to rare plant species as well as endangered animal species. Along the rim of the canyon are many basalt cliffs that are used by rock climbers.

The 2020 United States census counted 5,852 people, 2,322 households, and 1,748 families in White Rock. The racial makeup was 79.17% (4,633) white or European American (73.67% non Hispanic white), 0.41% (24) black or African American, 0.91% (53) Native American or Alaska Native, 3.01% (176) Asian, 0.03% (2) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.77% (162) from other races, and 13.7% (802) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 17.33% (1,014) of the population. Of the 2,322 households, 30.1% had children under the age of 18; 65.8% were married couples living together; 16.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 21.1% of households consisted of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 45.2% of the population. 21.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. Males had a median income of $90,054 (+/ $24,391) versus $59,974 (+/ $11,185) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $66,250 (+/ $4,418). Approximately, 2.3% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those ages 65 or over.

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,045 people, 2,226 households, and 1,860 families residing in the CDP. The population density was There were 2,282 housing units at an average density of The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.75% White, 0.25% African American, 0.53% Native American, 2.68% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.59% of the population. There were 2,226 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.2% were married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 2.99. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 34.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $92,813, and the median income for a family was $96,716. Males had a median income of $77,216 versus $44,145 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $36,288. About 1.1% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

The commercial center of White Rock has been in decline since approximately 2008, due in part to loss of retail revenues to the Internet and to "big box" stores in nearby communities. Los Alamos County recently began a major effort to revitalize the White Rock commercial center by improving infrastructure and seeking to attract new businesses. Part of the motivation for this effort is the transfer to Los Alamos County of Department of Energy lands just north of State Road 4. The revitalization effort has emphasized community input and is presently being driven by the White Rock Master Plan Implementation Committee, with the support of the County Council.