Taos County, New Mexico

Taos County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,489.[1] Its county seat is Taos.[2] The county was formed in 1852 as one of the original nine counties in New Mexico Territory.[3]

Taos County
County
Taos Mountain from El Prado
Taos Mountain from El Prado
Official seal of Taos County
Seal
Map of New Mexico highlighting Taos 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: 36°34′N 105°38′W
Country United States
State New Mexico
FoundedJanuary 9, 1852
SeatTaos
Largest townTaos
Area
 • Total2,204 sq mi (5,710 km2)
 • Land2,203 sq mi (5,710 km2)
 • Water1.3 sq mi (3 km2)  0.06%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total34,489
 • Density16/sq mi (6.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.taoscounty.org

Taos County comprises the Taos, New Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,204 square miles (5,710 km2), of which 2,203 square miles (5,710 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.06%) is water.[4]

The county's highest point is the summit of Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet (4,011 m). This is also the highest natural point in New Mexico. The county has the highest mean elevation of any U.S. county outside of Colorado at 8,510 feet (2,590 m), even though it ranks only 22nd overall.[5] Taos County contains 17 of New Mexico's highest 25 peaks.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191012,008—
192012,7736.4%
193014,39412.7%
194018,52828.7%
195017,146−7.5%
196015,934−7.1%
197017,5169.9%
198019,45611.1%
199023,11818.8%
200029,97929.7%
201032,9379.9%
202034,4894.7%
2021 (est.)34,6230.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010[10]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 29,979 people, 12,675 households, and 7,757 families living in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2).[12] There were 17,404 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 63.77% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 6.59% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 24.84% from other races, and 3.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 57.94% of the population.[11]

There were 12,675 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.70% were married couples living together, 12.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.80% were non-families. 32.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 28.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,762, and the median income for a family was $33,995. Males had a median income of $27,310 versus $21,121 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,103. About 16.10% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.60% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 32,937 people, 14,806 households, and 8,437 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 15.0 inhabitants per square mile (5.8/km2). There were 20,265 housing units at an average density of 9.2 per square mile (3.6/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 68.7% white, 6.2% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 19.1% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 55.8% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 10.8% were English, 10.3% were German, 9.0% were Irish, and 1.2% were American.[15]

Of the 14,806 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 43.0% were non-families, and 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.2 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,441 and the median income for a family was $43,236. Males had a median income of $34,245 versus $28,325 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,145. About 14.5% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Communities

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Other communities

Politics

Taos County is heavily Democratic; the last Republican candidate to win the county was Richard Nixon in 1972 by just over 2%.

United States presidential election results for Taos County, New Mexico[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,715 21.62% 13,121 76.37% 345 2.01%
2016 2,727 17.87% 10,668 69.91% 1,865 12.22%
2012 2,730 17.80% 11,978 78.09% 631 4.11%
2008 2,866 16.97% 13,816 81.82% 204 1.21%
2004 3,666 24.71% 10,987 74.06% 182 1.23%
2000 2,744 25.19% 7,039 64.61% 1,112 10.21%
1996 2,126 21.15% 6,635 66.00% 1,292 12.85%
1992 2,260 21.16% 7,051 66.01% 1,370 12.83%
1988 2,897 31.29% 6,271 67.73% 91 0.98%
1984 4,154 44.04% 5,144 54.54% 134 1.42%
1980 3,584 41.67% 4,346 50.53% 671 7.80%
1976 3,012 40.07% 4,414 58.72% 91 1.21%
1972 3,617 50.49% 3,472 48.46% 75 1.05%
1968 3,119 49.89% 2,993 47.87% 140 2.24%
1964 2,006 32.16% 4,204 67.39% 28 0.45%
1960 2,620 41.87% 3,631 58.03% 6 0.10%
1956 3,100 53.02% 2,743 46.91% 4 0.07%
1952 2,763 48.94% 2,877 50.96% 6 0.11%
1948 2,852 48.59% 2,977 50.72% 41 0.70%
1944 2,557 50.30% 2,525 49.67% 2 0.04%
1940 3,342 49.07% 3,463 50.85% 5 0.07%
1936 2,918 48.80% 3,051 51.03% 10 0.17%
1932 2,416 42.22% 3,277 57.26% 30 0.52%
1928 2,441 56.98% 1,842 43.00% 1 0.02%
1924 2,470 58.68% 1,655 39.32% 84 2.00%
1920 2,519 64.86% 1,359 34.99% 6 0.15%
1916 1,320 57.95% 910 39.95% 48 2.11%
1912 855 44.58% 765 39.89% 298 15.54%

Education

School districts for the county include:[18]

Earthship home under construction, 2011

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is featured in the 1994 crime-drama film Natural Born Killers,[19] in the 2007 comedy Wild Hogs,[20] and in the 2009 film Terminator: Salvation.[21]

The 2007 film Garbage Warrior documents architect Mike Reynolds who builds Earthships in and around Taos County.[22]

See also

References
  1. "Taos County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "New Mexico: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries". New Mexico Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  5. Carl Mills. "Mean County Elevation Lists". Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. "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.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. Detailed Tables , U.S. Census Bureau
  13. "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.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  15. "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.
  16. "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.
  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: Taos County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022. - Text list
  19. "Rio Grande Gorge Bridge". New York Times. 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  20. "Goofs for Wild Hogs (2007)". IMDb. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  21. "Terminator Salvation: Set Locations Revisited". TheTerminatorFans.com. January 28, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  22. "Garbage Warrior". HESO Magazine. October 7, 2009.
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