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More on District 3 History 

Denver's District 3 has been historically a Latino and immigrant district with the neighborhoods reflecting this in their arts and culture. District 3 currently includes the neighborhoods Barnum, Barnum West, La Alma/Lincoln Park, MarLee, Sun Valley, Villa Park, West Colfax, and Westwood. The total population of District 3 is 58,825. District 3 is very diverse with a large Latino population. Overall, 65% of the population identify as Hispanic or Latino, 7% as Black/African American, 3% as Asian, 2% as American Indian or Alaska Native and 2% two or more races. 46% speak Spanish at home. The age distribution is 10% under 5, 21% 5 to 17, 10% 18 to 24, 32% 25 to 44, 10% 45 to 54, 9% 55 to 64, 5% 65 to 74, and 3% 75+ (denvergov.org).
 
One neighborhood that has a particularly interesting history is the La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood. The name for this park was derived from the Spanish word “Alma” meaning “soul.” The name is meant to celebrate “the spirit of the worker.” The neighborhood was a historically working-class immigrant neighborhood. It has a long history of residents who excelled in the arts, literature, architecture, etc., particularly before urbanization in the 1950s relocated the large Latino population to what is now La Alma Park (lincolnparkneighborhood.org). Overall, District 3 is historically Latino and much of this is reflected in the District’s history, as well as many of the names of locations in the district.
 
The Barnum neighborhood also has an interesting history, with its name originating from famous circus owner P.T. Barnum who bought part of the land which the Barnum neighborhood would be built on. The name and history of the neighborhood is evident in many elements of the neighborhood, including in murals and sculptures.  (denverlibrary.org)
 
A large part of District 3’s culture and history can easily be said to be its strong connection to the arts. Murals can be found all around the district, particularly in the Santa Fe Arts District. These artistic elements are a highlighting feature of the district and distinctly reflect the communities living within its neighborhoods.
 
The Platte River does go throughout District 3. The main streets that go through District 3 are Colfax, 6th Ave, Alameda Ave, and Mississippi Ave. There are a variety of different businesses in District 3 including restaurants, automotive services, markets, hair stylists/barber shops, etc. Overall, the types of businesses vary greatly throughout district 3.
 
There is some crossover between which public high schools have their borders in District 3 and which are actually located in District 3. West High School is actually located in District 3 while the boundaries of West Leased HS, West EC HS, Abraham Lincoln and North all are within District 3.
 
Some of the libraries in District 3 include the Rodolfo Gonzales Branch Library, Ross-Barnum Branch Library, and Westwood Branch Library. Many recreation centers, including La Alma Recreation Center and Barnum Recreation Center, are available. Finally, a number of public parks can be found in D3, including Barnum Park, Lincoln/La Alma Park, and Sanchez Park.
 
The rich history of District 3 is seen in its people and the diversity around our neighborhoods and we are proud to call D3 home. The demographic breakdown of District 3 as a whole is as follows:
 
Race - 77% White, 65% Hispanic or Latino, 7% Black/African American, 3% Asian, 2% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 2% two or more races, and 9% other.
 
Languages other than English spoken at home - Spanish 46%, Asian and Pacific Islander 3%, 3% other, and 1% Indo-European languages. Overall, 52% speak a language other than English at home and 22% self-identify as speaking English less than very well.
 
Ages - 10% under 5, 21% 5 to 17, 10% 18 to 24, 32% 25 to 44, 10% 45 to 54, 9% 55 to 64, 5% 65 to 74, and 3% 75+.
 
Total number of residents - 58,825
 
Demographic Breakdown of the Neighborhoods in District 3
 
Barnum
Race - 92% White, 75% Hispanic or Latino, 5% other, 1% Black or African American, 1% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 1% two or more races.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 57% Spanish, 1% Indo-European
Ages - 6.76% under 5, 30.18% under 18, 7.98% over 65
Total number of residents - 6,453
 
Barnum West
Race - 84% White, 74% Hispanic or Latino, 4% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4% Other, 3% Black or African American, 3% Asian, 2% two or more races.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 55% Spanish, 2% Asian and Pacific Islander, 1% other.
Ages - 8% under 5, 18% 5 to 17, 11% 18 to 24, 28% 25 to 34, 12% 45 to 54, 13% 55 to 64, 5% 65 to 74, and 5% 75 plus.
Total number of residents - 6,248
 
La Alma/Lincoln Park
Race - 74% White, 45% Hispanic or Latino, 12% Other, 9% Black or African American, 2% Asian, 2% two or more races, 1% American Indian or Alaska Native.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 29% Spanish, 4% other, 1% Indo-European, 1% Asian and Pacific Islander
Ages - 4% under 5, 15% 5 to 17, 12% 18 to 24, 39% 25 to 44, 10% 45 to 54, 11% 55 to 64, 5% 65 to 74, and 4% 75+
Total number of residents - 6,204
 
Mar Lee
Race - 81% White, 66% Hispanic or Latino, 9% other, 4% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4% Asian, 2% Black or African American, 1% two or more races.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 46% Spanish, 4% Asian and Pacific Islander, 1% Indo-European, and 1% other.
Ages - 9% under 5, 19% 5 to 17, 10% 18 to 24, 31% 25 to 44, 12% 45 to 54, 9% 55 to 64, 5% 65 to 74 and 5 % 75+
Total number of residents - 13,118
 
Sun Valley
Race - 49% White, 48% Hispanic or Latino, 33% Black or African American, 7% Asian, 7% other, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 2% two or more races.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 19% Spanish, 11% other, 9% Asian and Pacific Islander, and 4% Indo-European.
Ages - 24% under 5, 31% 5 to 17, 9% 18 to 24, 21% 25 to 44, 4% 45 to 54, 4% 55 to 64, 5% 65 to 74, and 2% 75+.
Total number of residents - 1,441
 
Villa Park
Race - 74% White, 70% Hispanic or Latino, 18% other, 4% Black or African American, 2% American Indian or Alaska native, 2% two or more races, and 1% Asian.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 51% Spanish, 2% other, and 1% Indo-European
Ages - 11% under 5, 16% 5 to 17, 9% 18 to 24, 34% 25 to 44, 13% 45 to 54, 10% 55 to 64, 4% 65 to 74, and 4% 75+
Total number of residents - 9,400
 
West Colfax
Race - 72% White, 47% Hispanic or Latino, 11% Black or African American, 9% other, 5% two or more races, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 2% Asian.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 27% Spanish, 4% other, 2% Asian and Pacific Islander, and 1% Indo-European.
Ages - 9% under 5, 12% 5 to 17, 10% 18 to 24, 37% 25 to 44, 10% 45 to 54, 10% 55 to 64, 6% 65 to 74, and 6% 75+
Total number of residents - 9,479
 
Westwood
Race - 82% White, 78% Hispanic or Latino, 7% other, 4% Black or African American, 4% Asian, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1% two or more races.
Languages other than English spoken at home - 57% Spanish, 3% Asian and Pacific Islander, 1% Indo-European, 1% other.
Ages - 9% under 5, 27% 5 to 17, 8% 18 to 24, 32% 25 to 44, 9%45 to 54, 8% 55 to 64, 4% 65 to 74, and 3% 75+.
Total number of residents - 17,392
 
Sources:
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-city-council/about-us.html
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-city-council/about-us/history-denver-city-council/alphabetical-list-of-denver-city-council-members.html
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-city-council/about-us/history-denver-city-council.html
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/CityCouncilProfiles/City%20Council%20District%203.pdf
 
http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DPS_DistrictMap_High_24x36_20192020.pdf
 
https://www.denverlibrary.org/location_proximity
 
https://www.lincolnparkneighborhood.org/history/
 
https://history.denverlibrary.org/barnum-neighborhood-history
https://denverite.com/2019/03/15/a-new-face-will-represent-district-3-in-west-denver-an-area-poised-for-growth-amid-displacement-concerns/
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-city-council/council-members/district-3/district-resources.html
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/Barnum_17.pdf
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/Barnum_West_17.pdf
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/Lincoln_Park_17.pdf
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/Mar_Lee_17.pdf
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/Sun_Valley_17.pdf
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/Villa_Park_17.pdf
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/West_Colfax_17.pdf
 
https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/643/documents/Neighborhood%20Profiles/Westwood_17.pdf

Compiled by Rosalind B., age 17, Denver School of the Arts