Dededo (; Spanish: ) is the most populated village in the United States territory of Guam.Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Pages 70 and 152. . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Dededo's population was just under 45,000 in 2020. The village is located on the coral plateau of Northern Guam. The greater Dededo-Machanao-Apotgan Urban Cluster had a population of 139,825 as of the 2010 census, making up 87.7% of Guam's population and 29.8% of its area.
Etymology The origin of the village name Dededo (), may have come from measuring the original village using fingers, as the Spanish word for finger is .
Another possibility is the word dededo comes from the word , "heel of the foot," or , "to walk on tiptoes."
History
Before World War II, the main portion of Dededo was at the bottom of Macheche Hill. Dededo grew into a major village after the war when the U.S. Navy constructed housing for displaced Guamanians, and for laborers from off-island helping Guam's development.
Following Typhoon Karen in 1962, Kaiser Subdivision in Dededo was constructed for islanders displaced by the storm. Further housing subdivisions were constructed increasing the village's population.
The first McDonald's in Guam was opened in the village on June 10, 1971.
In 1984, the Northern Community Health Center opened. In addition to traditional health services provided by village clinics, the center offered communicable disease control, dental health, chronic disease care, and crippled children services.Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 152. .
In October 1988, the island's first large-scale and fully enclosed shopping mall, Micronesia Mall, opened in Dededo.Rogers, Robert F. (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam. University of Hawaii Press. Page 286. .
U.S. military installations in the village include Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam, and portions of Andersen Air Force Base, including Northwest Field.
Demographics The U.S. Census Bureau has the municipality in multiple census-designated places: Dededo, - See "Dededo muny" Astumbo, - See "Dededo muny" Finegayan Station, - Pages 1, 2, 3, and 4 - See "Dededo muny" Liguan, - See "Dededo muny" Machanao, Machananao East, Machananao West, Macheche, Mogfog, Ukudu, Wusstig, Y Papao, and Y Sengsong.
Economy Micronesia Mall is the largest shopping mall in Guam and serves as a cultural and recreational venue as well, with movie theaters and an amusement park.Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 24. .
There is also a popular weekend flea market in town which attracts large crowds of vendors.Adams, Evan (2016). Guam History, Culture, Travel guide and Tourism: The origin of the Chamorro race, American Settlement, Government, Politics, Economy, People and tradition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Page 70. .
There are many small commercial businesses near the village center.
Geography Dededo is situated on a relatively flat limestone plateau in the northern part of the island. It is located at the north central part of the island roughly at the center of population. It encompasses an area of about of Guam's . The headquarters for the Guam National Wildlife Refuge are in Dededo.
Tourist sites in Dededo include the Ritidian Unit of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, the Micronesia Mall, Two Lovers Point, as well as parks, trails, and beaches. Beaches include Tanguisson Beach, Shark Cove Beach, Haputo Beach, and Urono Beach. Haputo and Urono Beaches are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The South Finegayan Latte Stone Park is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Federal government of the United States owns portions of the land in Dededo; the Government of Guam stated that it was one of several villages that are "characterized primarily by the large proportion of land owned by the federal government".
Climate
Education
Dededo has several public and private schools to accommodate the growing number of residents of the island's most populous village including Guam Department of Education institutions. The village is served by six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.
Astumbo Elementary School Finegayan Elementary School Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School Wettengel Elementary School Liguan Elementary School Vicente S. A. Benavente Middle School Astumbo Middle School Okkodo High School
In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Dededo is in the school transportation zone for Andersen Elementary and Andersen Middle School, while Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school.
Private schools: Santa Barbara Catholic School St. Paul's Christian School Pacific Christian Academy
Government Commissioner of Dededo Name Term begin Term end Jose F. Lujan 1932 1934 Ignacio A. Santos 1934 1940 Juan Pangelinan 1940 1941 Hector Sgambelluri 1941 1944 Ramon S. San Agustin 1944 1952 Vicente S.A. Benavente 1952 1976 Prospero C. Zamora 1976 January 3, 1977
Mayor of Dededo Name Party Term begin Term end Jose M. Garrido Republican January 3, 1977 January 5, 1981 Martin C. Benavente Democratic January 5, 1981 January 7, 1985 Patricia S. Quinata January 7, 1985 January 2, 1989 Jose A. Rivera Republican January 2, 1989 January 1, 2001 Scott D. Duenas January 1, 2001 January 3, 2005 Melissa B. Savares Democratic January 3, 2005 January 4, 2025 Peter J.S. Benavente January 4, 2025 present
Assistant Commissioner of Dededo Name Term begin Term end Ignacio A. Santos 1918 1934 Manuel M. Lujan 1934 1941 Teresita B. Umagat 1971 1973 Prospero C. Zamora 1973 January 3, 1977
Vice Mayor of Dededo Name Party Term begin Term end Erwin F. Flauta Democratic January 3, 1977 1978 Martin C. Benavente 1978 January 5, 1981 Patricia S. Quinata January 5, 1981 January 7, 1985 Jose A. Rivera Republican January 7, 1985 January 2, 1989 Doris S. Palacios January 2, 1989 January 1, 2001 Melissa B. Savares Democratic January 1, 2001 January 3, 2005 Andrew A. Benavente January 3, 2005 January 2, 2017 Frank A. Benavente Republican January 2, 2017 January 4, 2021 Peter J.S. Benavente Democratic January 4, 2021 January 4, 2025 Ann S.A. Leon Guerrero January 4, 2025 present
Sports Wettengel Rugby Field and GFA National Training Center are located in Dededo. Guam Track and Field Association is also located in the village.
Notable people Joe Duarte, mixed martial artist Ping Duenas, politician Louise Borja Muna - Guamanian singer, radio host, and politician. Anthony Paulino, soccer player Ray Robson, chess grandmaster Regine Tugade, sprinter Rain Valdez, actress
Gallery
References
Further reading
External links
Dededo Village – Guampedia