Sierra County, New Mexico

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Sierra County

| state = New Mexico

| seal = Sierra County NM seal.jpg

| founded year = 1884

| founded date =

| seat wl = Truth or Consequences

| largest city wl = Truth or Consequences

| area_total_sq_mi = 4236

| area_land_sq_mi = 4179

| area_water_sq_mi = 57

| area percentage = 1.4%

| density_sq_mi = 2.9

| web = http://www.sierracountynm.gov/

| ex image = Sierra County New Mexico Court House.jpg|

| ex image cap = Sierra County Courthouse in Truth or Consequences

| district = 2nd

| time zone = Mountain

| named for = the Black Range (Spanish: Sierra Diablo)

| population_total = 11576 | population_as_of = 2020

}}

Sierra County ({{langx|es|Condado de Sierra|link=}}) is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 11,576.{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35051.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 30, 2013|archive-date=June 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606230450/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35051.html|url-status=dead}} Its county seat is Truth or Consequences.{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|4236|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|4179|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|57|sqmi}} (1.4%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195546/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|archive-date=January 1, 2015}}

=Adjacent counties=

Catron County - northwest
Socorro County - north
Lincoln County - northeast
Otero County - east
Doña Ana County - south
Luna County - south
Grant County - west

=National protected areas=

Cibola National Forest (part)
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail (part)
Gila National Forest (part)

=Major highways=

{{Jct|state=NM|I|25}}
{{Jct|state=NM|US|85}}
{{Jct|state=NM|NM|152|nolink=y}}
{{Jct|state=NM|NM|181|nolink=y}}
{{Jct|state=NM|NM|179|nolink=y}}
{{Jct|state=NM|NM|187|nolink=y}}
{{Jct|state=NM|NM|195|nolink=y}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

| 1890 = 3630

| 1900 = 3158

| 1910 = 3536

| 1920 = 4619

| 1930 = 5184

| 1940 = 6962

| 1950 = 7186

| 1960 = 6409

| 1970 = 7189

| 1980 = 8454

| 1990 = 9912

| 2000 = 13270

| 2010 = 11988

| estref = {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=December 24, 2019}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 2, 2015}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nm190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}} 2010-2016

| 2020 = 11576

}}

=2000 census=

As of the 2000 census,{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} there were 13,270 people, 6,113 households, and 3,618 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 8,727 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. 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=

As of the 2010 census, there were 11,988 people, 5,917 households, and 3,126 families living in the county.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35051

|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023514/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35051

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|2.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|inhabitants |inhabitants|}}. There were 8,356 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35051

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192847/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35051

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} 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. In terms of ancestry, 14.0% were German, 9.4% were American, 8.4% were English, and 8.0% were Irish.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35051

|title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213010915/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35051

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

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.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,583, the lowest of any county in New Mexico.{{cite web | url=http://247wallst.com/special-report/2015/01/07/the-poorest-county-in-each-state/8/ | title=The Poorest County in Each State – Page 8 – 24/7 Wall St }} 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.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35051

|title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021618/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35051

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Spaceport America

Spaceport America is located in Sierra County, {{convert|45|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} north of Las Cruces and {{convert|30|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} 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.{{cite news | last = Kaufman| first = Marc| title = New Mexico Moves Ahead on Spaceport| newspaper = Washington Post| date = May 10, 2008| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/09/AR2008050902508.html| access-date=July 24, 2008}} 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.{{Cite web|title=NM 'has finally reached the stars' - Albuquerque Journal|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/2393160/lift-off-virgin-galactic-spaceship-is-in-the-air.html|access-date=January 16, 2022|website=www.abqjournal.com|date=May 22, 2021 }}

Communities

=Cities=

Elephant Butte
Truth or Consequences (county seat)

=Village=

Williamsburg

=Census-designated places=

=Unincorporated communities=

= Ghost towns =

Alamocita
Aleman
Chise
Elephant Butte
Hermosa
Lake Valley
San Albino
San José
San Ygnacio de la Alamosa
Zapata
San Navarro (Est: 1836 Abandoned: 1952)

Politics

Sierra County was a swing county up until the 1950's, and since then it has largely voted Republican. The only Democrat since then to carry the county with a full majority was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Bill Clinton carried the county with pluralities in 1992 and 1996, but this was largely due to unusually strong third-party performance by Ross Perot in both elections.

{{PresHead|place=Sierra County, New Mexico|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 2, 2018}}}}

Education

Truth or Consequences Schools is the school district for all of the county.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35051_sierra/DC20SD_C35051.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712042000/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35051_sierra/DC20SD_C35051.pdf |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sierra County, NM|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 12, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35051_sierra/DC20SD_C35051_SD2MS.txt Text list]

References

External links

[http://www.sierraco.org/ Sierra County Government]
[http://www.sierracountynewmexico.info/ Sierra County Tourism / Visitor Information]
[http://www.ebcocnm.com/ Elephant Butte Chamber of Commerce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801090006/http://ebcocnm.com/ |date=August 1, 2015 }}
[http://www.sierracountyevents.com/ Events for Truth or Consequences, Elephant Butte, and all of Sierra County]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20230213091824/http://www.blackrange.org/The_Black_Range_Rag/Who_We_Were_files/Between%20the%20River%20and%20the%20Mountains.pdf Wilson, John P., Between the River and the Mountains: A History of Early Settlement in Sierra County, New Mexico, Report #40, John P. Wilson, Las Cruces, New Mexico, August 1985]

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Sierra County, New Mexico

|North = Socorro County

|Northeast = Lincoln County

|East = Otero County

|Southeast =

|South = Doña Ana County and Luna County

|Southwest =

|West = Grant County

|Northwest = Catron County

}}

{{Coord|33.14|-107.19|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NM_source:UScensus1990}}