Originally named Boomerang signifying a roundhouse on the railroad, the Oregon Shortline. The city changed its name for François Payette, a French-Canadianfur trapper and later the head the Fort Boisetrading post for the BritishHudson's Bay Company from 1835-44. A large merry man, he was highly regarded for his helpful assistance to the many travelers who came through the fort. After his retirement in 1844, Mr. Payette returned to Montreal, but the rest of his life is a mystery.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), of which, 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) of it is land and 0.29% is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,054 people, 2,619 households, and 1,841 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,087.2 people per square mile (805.8/km²). There were 2,834 housing units at an average density of 838.6/sq mi (323.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.43% White, 0.09% African American, 1.15% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.67% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.78% of the population.
There were 2,619 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,375, and the median income for a family was $36,944. Males had a median income of $28,762 versus $19,781 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,826. About 11.4% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
