Doña Ana County, New Mexico

Doña Ana County (Spanish: Condado de Doña Ana) is located in the southern part of the State of New Mexico, United States. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, its population was 219,561,[1] which makes it the second-most populated county in New Mexico. Its county seat is Las Cruces,[2] the second-most populous municipality in New Mexico after Albuquerque, with 111,385 as of the 2020 U.S. Census.[3]

Doña Ana County
County
Doña Ana County Government Center
Doña Ana County Government Center
Flag of Doña Ana County
Flag
Official seal of Doña Ana County
Seal
Map of New Mexico highlighting Doña Ana 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: 32°18′44″N 106°46′42″W
Country United States
State New Mexico
Founded1852
SeatLas Cruces
Largest cityLas Cruces
Area
 • Total3,814 sq mi (9,880 km2)
 • Land3,808 sq mi (9,860 km2)
 • Water6.9 sq mi (18 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total219,561
 • Density55/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.donaanacounty.org

The county is named for Doña Ana Robledo, who died there in 1680 while fleeing the Pueblo Revolt.[4] Doña Ana County is one of only two counties in the United States to have a diacritical mark in its name, the other being Coös County, New Hampshire. Notably, both Doña Ana County and Coös County lie on short international borders, the former with Mexico and the latter with Canada.

Doña Ana County consists of the Las Cruces, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the El Paso–Las Cruces, TX–NM Combined Statistical Area. It borders Luna, Sierra, and Otero counties in New Mexico, and El Paso County, Texas to the east and southeast.

The state of Chihuahua, Mexico, borders the county to the south. Construction of an improved barrier on the border was expedited in 2019 with waivers of environmental and other laws. The waivers applied to 27 laws, including protection of endangered species, archaeological sites, and historic places.[5]

Being 67.3% Hispanic in 2020, Doña Ana is New Mexico's largest majority-Hispanic county.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,814 square miles (9,880 km2), of which 3,808 square miles (9,860 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2), or 0.2%, is covered by water.[7]

The county contains a number of prominent geographical features, most notably the Mesilla Valley (the flood plain of the Rio Grande) going north to south through the center and the Organ Mountains along the county's eastern edge. Other mountain ranges in the county are the Robledo Mountains, Doña Ana Mountains, Sierra de las Uvas, the southern end of the San Andres Mountains, East Potrillo Mountains, and West Potrillo Mountains, as well as two small, isolated mountains, Tortugas (or A) Mountain on the east and Picacho Peak on the west side of Las Cruces. The county also includes one of New Mexico's four large lava fields, the Aden Malpais, and one of the world's largest maare volcanoes, Kilbourne Hole.

Adjacent counties and municipios

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191012,893—
192016,54828.3%
193027,45565.9%
194030,41110.8%
195039,55730.1%
196059,94851.5%
197069,77316.4%
198096,34038.1%
1990135,51040.7%
2000174,68228.9%
2010209,23319.8%
2020219,5614.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]

2010 U.S. Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 209,233 people, 75,532 households, and 51,863 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 55.0 inhabitants per square mile (21.2/km2). There were 81,492 housing units at an average density of 21.4 per square mile (8.3/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 74.1% white, 1.7% black or African American, 1.5% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 18.5% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 65.7% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 7.3% were German, and 2.2% were American.[14]

Of the 75,532 households, 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.3% were non-families, and 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25. The median age was 32.4 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,657 and the median income for a family was $43,184. Males had a median income of $33,510 versus $25,217 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,315. About 20.1% of families and 24.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.[15]

2000 U.S. Census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[16] there were 174,682 people, 59,556 households, and 42,939 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 inhabitants per square mile (18/km2). There were 65,210 housing units at an average density of 17 units per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 67.8% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 24.7% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. 63.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 59,556 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 13.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,808, and the median income for a family was $33,576. Males had a median income of $27,215 versus $20,883 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,999. 25.4% of the population and 20.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 34.4% are under the age of 18 and 12.7% are 65 or older.

Politics

Doña Ana is a Democratic-leaning county in Presidential and Congressional elections. Since 1920, Doña Ana has voted for the candidate who also won statewide, the only exception being in 2004 when Democrat John Kerry won Doña Ana 51–48%, while Republican George W. Bush won statewide 50–49%. The last Republican to win a majority in the county was George H. W. Bush in 1988. In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama won 58% of the county's vote. In 2016, Republican Donald Trump won 35.9% of the county's vote, the lowest share for a Republican candidate since 1936.

United States presidential election results for Doña Ana County, New Mexico[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 32,802 39.69% 47,957 58.03% 1,882 2.28%
2016 25,374 35.92% 37,947 53.71% 7,327 10.37%
2012 27,322 41.13% 37,139 55.91% 1,962 2.95%
2008 28,068 40.51% 40,282 58.14% 930 1.34%
2004 29,548 47.69% 31,762 51.26% 650 1.05%
2000 21,263 45.58% 23,912 51.26% 1,478 3.17%
1996 17,541 40.26% 22,766 52.26% 3,257 7.48%
1992 16,308 36.88% 19,894 44.99% 8,015 18.13%
1988 21,582 51.70% 19,608 46.97% 557 1.33%
1984 22,153 60.87% 13,878 38.13% 362 0.99%
1980 15,539 53.92% 10,839 37.61% 2,442 8.47%
1976 13,888 53.09% 12,036 46.01% 233 0.89%
1972 14,562 59.76% 9,416 38.64% 388 1.59%
1968 10,824 54.15% 7,658 38.31% 1,508 7.54%
1964 7,280 40.25% 10,748 59.43% 57 0.32%
1960 7,789 46.49% 8,905 53.15% 61 0.36%
1956 7,025 58.59% 4,918 41.01% 48 0.40%
1952 5,902 56.33% 4,556 43.48% 20 0.19%
1948 3,440 40.03% 5,116 59.54% 37 0.43%
1944 3,149 42.98% 4,172 56.94% 6 0.08%
1940 3,720 41.63% 5,208 58.28% 8 0.09%
1936 2,494 30.78% 5,544 68.43% 64 0.79%
1932 2,354 30.99% 5,133 67.58% 108 1.42%
1928 3,141 59.06% 2,169 40.79% 8 0.15%
1924 2,823 58.58% 1,775 36.83% 221 4.59%
1920 2,627 66.27% 1,318 33.25% 19 0.48%
1916 1,606 59.35% 1,078 39.84% 22 0.81%
1912 912 44.19% 895 43.36% 257 12.45%

Doña Ana is part of New Mexico's 2nd congressional district, which is held by Democrat Gabe Vasquez. In the State Senate Doña Ana is part of the 31st, 36th, 37th, 38th, and 40th Senate districts, which are held by Democrats Joseph Cervantes, Jeff Steinborn, David Soules, Mary Kay Papen, and Republican Bill Burt, respectively. In the State House Doña Ana is part of the 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 52nd House districts, which are held by Democrats Bill McCamley, Bealquin Gomez, Angelica Rubio, and Joanne Ferrary, respectively, the 37th and 53rd House districts, which are held by Republican Ricky Little, respectively, and the 36th House district, which is held by Nathan Small. Current County Commissioners are as follows: Lynn Ellins (District 1), Ramon S. Gonzalez (District 2), Shannon Reynolds (District 3), Isabella Solis (District 4), and VACANT (District 5).[18]

In January 2012, a Federal court awarded former County prisoner Stephen Slevin a $22 million award[19] for inhumane treatment and for keeping him jailed for 2 years without a trial.[20][21] In a radio interview on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation program As It Happens broadcast February 7, 2012, Slevin's lawyer indicated that he was arrested for "DWI". During his incarceration, Slevin was placed in solitary confinement. When his health deteriorated, Slevin was removed to a hospital, but after two weeks in the hospital, he was returned to solitary confinement. The lawyer stated that pictures taken before and after Slevin's time in jail were key to the trial's outcome.[22] The District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District in Doña Ana County during the 2005 - 2007 indefinite detention without trial of Mr. Slevin was Susana Martinez, who later became the Governor of New Mexico.[23]

In August 2013, County Clerk Lynn Ellins announced he would begin granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Ellins said in a statement explaining his decision:[24]

After careful review of New Mexico's laws it is clear that the state's marriage statutes are gender neutral and do not expressly prohibit Doña Ana County from issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples. Any further denial of marriage licenses to these couples violates the United States and New Mexico Constitution and the New Mexico Human Rights Act. Doña Ana County is upholding New Mexico law by issuing these marriage licenses, and I see no reason to make committed couples in Doña Ana County wait another minute to marry.

Several Republican state legislators vowed to file suit against Ellins in a bid to halt the licenses from being issued.[25]

Communities
Map of Doña Ana County

Cities

Towns

Village

Census-designated places

Other places

Ghost towns

Education

School districts in the county include:[26]

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Doña Ana County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Las Cruces city, New Mexico". U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Las Cruces city, New Mexico. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  4. "Doña Ana Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  5. Kocherga, Angela (April 28, 2019). "Homeland Security expedites border wall project". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  6. "P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". 2020 Census. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  12. "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.
  13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  14. "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.
  15. "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.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  18. "County Commissioners | Doña Ana County".
  19. Stephen Slevin vs. Board of Commissioners for the County of Doña Ana, et al. "Special Verdict Form." United States District Court, Santa Fe, NM. January 24, 2012
  20. "Lonely hell of long forgotten prisoner Stephen Slevin". The Telegraph (AU). January 29, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  21. Mears, Bill (January 25, 2012). "Former inmate wins $22 million over 'forgotten' solitary confinement". CNN. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  22. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation program As It Happens, February 7, 2012
  23. "Meet the Governor." New Mexico Office of the Governor Susana Martinez. January 29, 2012.
  24. "ELLINS: DOÑA ANA COUNTY ISSUING SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE LICENSES". Doña Ana County. August 21, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  25. "GOP to challenge state's gay marriages". Santa Fe New Mexican. August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  26. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Doña Ana County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2022. - Text list
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