Doña Ana County, New Mexico

County in New Mexico, United States

County in New Mexico

Doña Ana County

County

Doña Ana County Government Center

Flag

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico

New Mexico's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 32°18′44″N 106°46′42″W﻿ / ﻿32.31222°N 106.77833°W﻿ / 32.31222; -106.77833
Country|  United States
State|  New Mexico
Founded| 1852
Seat| Las Cruces
Largest city| Las Cruces
Area

• Total

| 3,814 sq mi (9,880 km2)
• Land| 3,808 sq mi (9,860 km2)
• Water| 6.9 sq mi (18 km2)  0.2%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 219,561
• Density| 55/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| www.donaanacounty.org

Doña Ana County (Spanish: Condado de Doña Ana) is a county located in the southern part of the 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]

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.[5] 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, archeological sites, and historic places.[6]

Being 67.3% Hispanic in 2020, Doña Ana is New Mexico's largest majority-Hispanic county.[7]

## Geography

[edit]

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.[8]

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

[edit]

* Luna County – west
* Sierra County – north
* Otero County – east
* El Paso County, Texas – southeast
* Ascensión, Chihuahua, Mexico – south
* Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico – south

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail (part)
* El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail (part)
* Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
* Prehistoric Trackways National Monument
* San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
* White Sands National Park (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 6,239| | —
1870| 5,864| | −6.0%
1880| 7,612| | 29.8%
1890| 9,191| | 20.7%
1900| 10,187| | 10.8%
1910| 12,893| | 26.6%
1920| 16,548| | 28.3%
1930| 27,455| | 65.9%
1940| 30,411| | 10.8%
1950| 39,557| | 30.1%
1960| 59,948| | 51.5%
1970| 69,773| | 16.4%
1980| 96,340| | 38.1%
1990| 135,510| | 40.7%
2000| 174,682| | 28.9%
2010| 209,233| | 19.8%
2020| 219,561| | 4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1]

### 2010 U.S. census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 209,233 people, 75,532 households, and 51,863 families residing in the county.[13] 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).[14] 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.[13] In terms of ancestry, 7.3% were German, and 2.2% were American.[15]

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.[13]

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.[16]

### 2000 U.S. census

[edit]

As of the 2000 United States census,[17] 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

[edit]

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, with 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.

United States presidential election results for Doña Ana County, New Mexico[18] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 37,594  | 44.02%  | 45,937  | 53.79% | 1,876  | 2.20%
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 currently held by Democrat Gabe Vasquez.

In the State Senate, Doña Ana is part of the 31st, 35th, 36th, 37th, and 38th Senate districts, which currently held by Joe Cervantes, Crystal Brantley, Jeff Steinborn, William Soules and Carrie Hamblen, respectively.[19][20]

In the State House, Doña Ana is part of the 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 37th, 38th, 52nd and 53rd House districts. The current state representatives are Jenifer Jones, Micaela Lara Cadena, Raymundo Lara, Angelica Rubio, Nathan Small, Joanne Ferrary, Tara Jaramillo, Doreen Gallegos and Willie Madrid, respectively.[21][22]

The current County Commissioners are as follows: Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez (District 1), Gloria Gameros (District 2), Shannon Reynolds (District 3), Susana Chaparro (District 4) and Manuel A. Sanchez (District 5).[23]

## Notable Events

[edit]

In January 2012, a federal court awarded former County prisoner Stephen Slevin a $22 million award[24] for inhumane treatment and for keeping him jailed for 2 years without a trial.[25][26] In a radio interview on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation program As It Happens broadcast on 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.[27] 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.[28]

In August 2013, County Clerk Lynn Ellins announced he would begin granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples.[29] Several Republican state legislators vowed to file suit against Ellins in a bid to halt the licenses from being issued.[30] In the aftermath of the 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, such controversies have not been raised.

## Communities

[edit]

Map of Doña Ana County

### Cities

[edit]

* Anthony
* Las Cruces (county seat)
* Sunland Park

### Towns

[edit]

* Mesilla

### Village

[edit]

* Hatch

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Berino
* Butterfield Park
* Chamberino
* Chaparral
* Doña Ana
* Fairacres
* Garfield
* La Mesa
* La Union
* Mesquite
* Organ
* Picacho Hills
* Placitas
* Radium Springs
* Rincon
* Rodey
* Salem
* San Miguel
* San Pablo
* San Ysidro
* Santa Teresa
* Tortugas
* University Park
* Vado
* White Sands

### Other places

[edit]

* Picacho

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Lanark
* Santa Barbara

## Education

[edit]

School districts in the county include:[31]

* Gadsden Independent Schools
* Hatch Valley Municipal Schools
* Las Cruces Public Schools

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Doña Ana County, New Mexico
* South Central Regional Transit District

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "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. ^ "United States Counties". www.statoids.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
6. ^ Kocherga, Angela (April 28, 2019). "Homeland Security expedites border wall project". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
7. ^ "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.
8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
13. ^ 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.
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. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
19. ^ "LWV New Mexico". www.lwvnm.org. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
20. ^ "Legislators Listing - New Mexico Legislature". www.nmlegis.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
21. ^ "LWV New Mexico". www.lwvnm.org. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
22. ^ "Legislators Listing - New Mexico Legislature". www.nmlegis.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
23. ^ "Board of County Commissioners | Doña Ana County, NM". www.donaanacounty.org.
24. ^ 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
25. ^ "Lonely hell of long forgotten prisoner Stephen Slevin". The Telegraph (AU). January 29, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
26. ^ Mears, Bill (January 25, 2012). "Former inmate wins $22 million over 'forgotten' solitary confinement". CNN. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
27. ^ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation program As It Happens, February 7, 2012
28. ^ "Meet the Governor." New Mexico Office of the Governor Susana Martinez. January 29, 2012.
29. ^ "ELLINS: DOÑA ANA COUNTY ISSUING SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE LICENSES". Doña Ana County. August 21, 2013. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
30. ^ "GOP to challenge state's gay marriages". Santa Fe New Mexican. August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
31. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Doña Ana County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2022. \- Text list

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Doña Ana County, New Mexico

|  | Sierra County |

|
|

|  |
Luna County |

Doña Ana County, New Mexico

| Otero County
|  |
| Ascensión & Juárez Municipalities, Chihuahua | El Paso County, Texas

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States

County seat: Las Cruces

Cities|

* Anthony
* Las Cruces
* Sunland Park

Map of New Mexico highlighting Doña Ana County

Town|

* Mesilla

Village|

* Hatch

CDPs|

* Berino
* Butterfield Park
* Chamberino
* Chaparral
* Doña Ana
* Fairacres
* Garfield
* La Mesa
* La Union
* Mesquite
* Organ
* Picacho
* Picacho Hills
* Placitas
* Radium Springs
* Rincon
* Rodey
* Salem
* San Miguel
* San Pablo
* San Ysidro
* Santa Teresa
* Tortugas Pueblo
* University Park
* Vado
* White Sands

Ghost towns|

* Lanark
* Santa Barbara

* New Mexico portal
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* v
* t
* e

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See: List of counties in New Mexico

* Bernalillo
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32°18′44″N 106°46′42″W﻿ / ﻿32.31222°N 106.77833°W﻿ / 32.31222; -106.77833
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