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Sierra County, New Mexico

Coordinates: 33°08′N 107°11′W / 33.14°N 107.19°W / 33.14; -107.19
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Sierra County
County
Sierra County Courthouse in Truth or Consequences
Sierra County Courthouse in Truth or Consequences
Official seal of Sierra County
Seal
Map of New Mexico highlighting Sierra County
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
Map of the United States highlighting New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°08′N 107°11′W / 33.14°N 107.19°W / 33.14; -107.19
Country United States
State New Mexico
Founded1884
Named forthe Black Range (Spanish: Sierra Diablo)
SeatTruth or Consequences
Largest cityTruth or Consequences
Area
 • Total
4,236 sq mi (10,970 km2)
 • Land4,179 sq mi (10,820 km2)
 • Water57 sq mi (150 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
11,576
 • Density2.9/sq mi (1.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.sierracountynm.gov

Sierra County (Spanish: Condado de Sierra) is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 11,576.[1] Its county seat is Truth or Consequences.[2]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,236 square miles (10,970 km2), of which 4,179 square miles (10,820 km2) is land and 57 square miles (150 km2) (1.4%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Major highways

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  • I-25
  • US 85
  • NM 152
  • NM 181
  • NM 179
  • NM 187
  • NM 195

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18903,630—
19003,158−13.0%
19103,53612.0%
19204,61930.6%
19305,18412.2%
19406,96234.3%
19507,1863.2%
19606,409−10.8%
19707,18912.2%
19808,45417.6%
19909,91217.2%
200013,27033.9%
201011,988−9.7%
202011,576−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2016[1]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[9] there were 13,270 people, 6,113 households, and 3,618 families living in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 8,727 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.97% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 1.48% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 8.27% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races. 26.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,113 households, out of which 20.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.50% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.80% were non-families. 35.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.10% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 19.50% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 27.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,152, and the median income for a family was $29,787. Males had a median income of $24,570 versus $19,839 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,023. About 13.80% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.50% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 11,988 people, 5,917 households, and 3,126 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 2.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.1 inhabitants/km2). There were 8,356 housing units at an average density of 2.0 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% white, 1.7% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 8.6% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 28.0% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 14.0% were German, 9.4% were American, 8.4% were English, and 8.0% were Irish.[12]

Of the 5,917 households, 17.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 47.2% were non-families, and 40.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.64. The median age was 54.5 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $25,583, the lowest of any county in New Mexico.[13] The median income for a family was $38,641. Males had a median income of $32,059 versus $26,213 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,667. About 15.6% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Spaceport America

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Spaceport America is located in Sierra County, 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Las Cruces and 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Truth or Consequences. Sierra County voters approved the creation of a spaceport tax district in April 2008, freeing up funding for its construction.[15] The first launch from Spaceport America occurred on September 25, 2006, since which over 300 launches have occurred. On May 22, 2021, Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity launched from the spaceport with three people aboard becoming the first crewed launch from both Spaceport America and New Mexico and making New Mexico the third U.S. state, after California and Florida, to send humans into space.[16]

Communities

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Cities

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Village

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Sierra County, New Mexico[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,473 58.34% 2,332 39.17% 148 2.49%
2020 3,542 59.58% 2,265 38.10% 138 2.32%
2016 3,010 58.10% 1,612 31.11% 559 10.79%
2012 2,928 57.39% 1,964 38.49% 210 4.12%
2008 3,017 55.00% 2,352 42.88% 116 2.11%
2004 3,162 61.31% 1,926 37.35% 69 1.34%
2000 2,721 59.33% 1,689 36.83% 176 3.84%
1996 2,140 44.54% 2,154 44.83% 511 10.63%
1992 1,562 35.36% 1,771 40.09% 1,085 24.56%
1988 2,507 60.19% 1,595 38.30% 63 1.51%
1984 2,663 66.00% 1,335 33.09% 37 0.92%
1980 2,222 62.50% 1,169 32.88% 164 4.61%
1976 1,665 51.04% 1,564 47.95% 33 1.01%
1972 2,074 67.47% 934 30.38% 66 2.15%
1968 1,624 57.06% 930 32.68% 292 10.26%
1964 1,501 47.67% 1,633 51.86% 15 0.48%
1960 1,890 60.64% 1,220 39.14% 7 0.22%
1956 1,954 65.00% 1,035 34.43% 17 0.57%
1952 2,033 63.61% 1,158 36.23% 5 0.16%
1948 1,274 47.54% 1,389 51.83% 17 0.63%
1944 1,112 52.26% 1,008 47.37% 8 0.38%
1940 1,372 47.15% 1,534 52.71% 4 0.14%
1936 951 37.12% 1,587 61.94% 24 0.94%
1932 667 30.18% 1,515 68.55% 28 1.27%
1928 766 53.79% 657 46.14% 1 0.07%
1924 632 48.17% 546 41.62% 134 10.21%
1920 862 56.79% 642 42.29% 14 0.92%
1916 460 47.13% 493 50.51% 23 2.36%
1912 176 28.16% 352 56.32% 97 15.52%

Education

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Truth or Consequences Schools is the school district for all of the county.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  8. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  11. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  13. ^ "The Poorest County in Each State – Page 8 – 24/7 Wall St".
  14. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  15. ^ Kaufman, Marc (May 10, 2008). "New Mexico Moves Ahead on Spaceport". Washington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  16. ^ "NM 'has finally reached the stars' - Albuquerque Journal". www.abqjournal.com. May 22, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sierra County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022. - Text list
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