Union County, New Mexico

County in New Mexico, United States

County in New Mexico

Union County

County

Union County Courthouse in Clayton

Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico

New Mexico's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 36°29′N 103°28′W﻿ / ﻿36.48°N 103.47°W﻿ / 36.48; -103.47
Country|  United States
State|  New Mexico
Founded| January 1, 1894
Seat| Clayton
Largest town| Clayton
Area

• Total| 3,831 sq mi (9,920 km2)
• Land| 3,824 sq mi (9,900 km2)
• Water| 7.1 sq mi (18 km2)  0.2%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 4,079
• Density| 1.1/sq mi (0.41/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| 3rd
Website| unionnm.us

Union County (Spanish: Condado de la Unión) is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,079,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in New Mexico. Its county seat is Clayton.[2] The county was formed in 1894.[3] Union County borders Colorado to the north, and Oklahoma and Texas to the east.

## History

[edit]

Union County, was created by an act of the territorial legislation in 1893 and was officially recognized on January 1, 1894, when the first slate of elected county officials received their oaths of office. The county is named “Union” because the citizens were united in their desire for the creation of a new county out of three existing New Mexico counties. Union County was subsequently “carved up” by the creation of additional counties, Quay in 1903 and Harding in 1920. At one time, Union County had a population of over 20,000. There were a number of bustling communities such as Amistad, Hayden, Sedan, Pasamonte, Gladstone, Mt Dora, Grenville, Des Moines, Folsom, and Dedman (now known as Capulin).

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,831 square miles (9,920 km2), of which 3,824 square miles (9,900 km2) is land and 7.1 square miles (18 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Las Animas County, Colorado (north)
* Baca County, Colorado (northeast)
* Cimarron County, Oklahoma (east/Central Time border)
* Dallam County, Texas (east/Central Time border)
* Hartley County, Texas (southeast/Central Time border)
* Quay County (south)
* Harding County (south)
* Colfax County (west)

Union County is one of the few counties in the U.S. to border counties from four different states. One of its neighbors is Cimarron County, Oklahoma, the only US county to border counties from five different states.

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Capulin Volcano National Monument
* Kiowa National Grassland (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1910| 11,404| | —
1920| 16,680| | 46.3%
1930| 11,036| | −33.8%
1940| 9,095| | −17.6%
1950| 7,372| | −18.9%
1960| 6,068| | −17.7%
1970| 4,925| | −18.8%
1980| 4,725| | −4.1%
1990| 4,124| | −12.7%
2000| 4,174| | 1.2%
2010| 4,549| | 9.0%
2020| 4,079| | −10.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010[9]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[10] there were 4,174 people, 1,733 households, and 1,176 families living in the county. The population density was 1.1 people per square mile (0.42 people/km2). There were 2,225 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.38% White, 0.96% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 16.00% from other races, and 2.20% from two or more races. 35.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,733 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.30% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,080, and the median income for a family was $35,313. Males had a median income of $26,364 versus $18,711 for females. The per capita income for Union county was $14,700. About 14.20% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.40% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,549 people, 1,695 households, and 1,073 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 1.2 inhabitants per square mile (0.46/km2). There were 2,305 housing units at an average density of 0.6 per square mile (0.23/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 81.7% white, 2.0% American Indian, 1.8% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 11.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 39.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 13.6% were German, 10.3% were Irish, 7.4% were English, and 7.0% were American.[13]

Of the 1,695 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.7% were non-families, and 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 40.9 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,975 and the median income for a family was $41,687. Males had a median income of $29,388 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,228. About 6.9% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

## Communities

[edit]

Area affected by 1930s Dust Bowl

### Town

[edit]

* Clayton (county seat)

### Villages

[edit]

* Des Moines
* Folsom
* Grenville

### Census-designated place

[edit]

* Capulin

### Other communities

[edit]

* Amistad
* Gladstone
* Hayden
* Mount Dora
* Sedan
* Seneca
* Sofia
* Stead

## Politics

[edit]

Like all of Eastern New Mexico, Union County is heavily Republican. The county has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1948. Hillary Clinton in 2016 received the worst showing for a Democrat in the county's history – but this was partially due to a large migration towards third-party candidates such as New Mexico native and former governor Gary Johnson, who ran as a libertarian. In 2020, Donald Trump went on to receive the best performance for a Republican in the county's history.

United States presidential election results for Union County, New Mexico[15] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 1,388  | 77.59% | 383  | 21.41%  | 18  | 1.01%
2016 | 1,216  | 71.45% | 320  | 18.80%  | 166  | 9.75%
2012 | 1,236  | 70.27% | 472  | 26.83%  | 51  | 2.90%
2008 | 1,227  | 70.44% | 492  | 28.24%  | 23  | 1.32%
2004 | 1,454  | 77.30% | 411  | 21.85%  | 16  | 0.85%
2000 | 1,269  | 72.31% | 452  | 25.75%  | 34  | 1.94%
1996 | 995  | 60.30% | 519  | 31.45%  | 136  | 8.24%
1992 | 975  | 52.59% | 519  | 27.99%  | 360  | 19.42%
1988 | 1,291  | 65.87% | 638  | 32.55%  | 31  | 1.58%
1984 | 1,503  | 74.44% | 488  | 24.17%  | 28  | 1.39%
1980 | 1,407  | 65.87% | 675  | 31.60%  | 54  | 2.53%
1976 | 1,146  | 53.30% | 975  | 45.35%  | 29  | 1.35%
1972 | 1,545  | 72.50% | 496  | 23.28%  | 90  | 4.22%
1968 | 1,217  | 55.42% | 678  | 30.87%  | 301  | 13.71%
1964 | 1,232  | 51.31% | 1,159  | 48.27%  | 10  | 0.42%
1960 | 1,686  | 61.18% | 1,068  | 38.75%  | 2  | 0.07%
1956 | 1,649  | 60.83% | 1,061  | 39.14%  | 1  | 0.04%
1952 | 1,988  | 63.39% | 1,142  | 36.42%  | 6  | 0.19%
1948 | 1,246  | 43.73%  | 1,590  | 55.81% | 13  | 0.46%
1944 | 1,604  | 54.21% | 1,350  | 45.62%  | 5  | 0.17%
1940 | 1,900  | 48.73%  | 1,987  | 50.96% | 12  | 0.31%
1936 | 1,625  | 38.08%  | 2,605  | 61.05% | 37  | 0.87%
1932 | 1,173  | 26.95%  | 3,117  | 71.61% | 63  | 1.45%
1928 | 2,081  | 61.21% | 1,306  | 38.41%  | 13  | 0.38%
1924 | 1,415  | 37.77%  | 1,735  | 46.32% | 596  | 15.91%
1920 | 2,930  | 54.38% | 2,273  | 42.19%  | 185  | 3.43%
1916 | 1,495  | 39.88%  | 1,996  | 53.24% | 258  | 6.88%
1912 | 815  | 31.21%  | 1,119  | 42.86% | 677  | 25.93%

## See also

[edit]

* Folsom Falls
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, New Mexico

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Union 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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
8. ^ "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.
9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. ^ 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.
12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
13. ^ "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.
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. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Union County, New Mexico.

* County website

Places adjacent to Union County, New Mexico

|  | Las Animas County, Colorado | Baca County, Colorado

|
|

|  |
Colfax County |

Union County, New Mexico

| Cimarron County, Oklahoma and Dallam County, Texas
|  |
| Quay County and Harding County | Hartley County, Texas

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Union County, New Mexico, United States

County seat: Clayton

Town|

* Clayton

Map of New Mexico highlighting Union County

Villages|

* Des Moines
* Folsom
* Grenville

CDP|

* Capulin

Other
unincorporated
communities|

* Amistad
* Gladstone
* Mount Dora
* Sedan
* Seneca
* Sofia

Ghost towns|

Miera

* New Mexico portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of New Mexico

Santa Fe (capital)

Topics|

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Counties|

See: List of counties in New Mexico

* Bernalillo
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New Mexico portal

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International|

* VIAF

National|

* Israel

36°29′N 103°28′W﻿ / ﻿36.48°N 103.47°W﻿ / 36.48; -103.47
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