Taos County, New Mexico

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Taos County

| state = New Mexico

| seal = Taos County nm seal.png

| founded year = 1852

| founded date = January 9

| seat wl = Taos

| largest city wl = Taos

| city type = town

| area_total_sq_mi = 2204

| area_land_sq_mi = 2203

| area_water_sq_mi = 1.3

| area percentage = 0.06%

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 34489

| density_sq_mi = auto

| web = www.taoscounty.org

| ex image = Taos Mtn from El Prado.jpg

| ex image cap = Taos Mountain from El Prado

| district = 3rd

| time zone = Mountain

}}

Taos County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,489.{{cite web |title=Taos County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Taos_County,_New_Mexico?g=050XX00US35055|access-date=July 3, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau}} Its county seat is Taos.{{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}} The county was formed in 1852 as one of the original nine counties in New Mexico Territory.{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/NM_Consolidated_Chronology.htm|title=New Mexico: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries|work=New Mexico Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|date=2007|access-date=January 2, 2015|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822051237/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/NM_Consolidated_Chronology.htm|url-status=dead}}

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 {{convert|2204|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2203|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.3|sqmi}} (0.06%) 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}}

The county's highest point is the summit of Wheeler Peak at {{convert|13,161|ft|m}}. This summit is also the highest natural point in New Mexico.{{Cite web |date= |title=Wheeler Peak Wilderness |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/carson/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5350403 |website=United States Forest Service - USDA}} The county has the highest mean elevation of any U.S. county outside of Colorado at {{convert|8510|ft|m}}, even though it ranks only 22nd overall.{{cite web |url=http://cohp.org/records/mean_elevation/mean_elevations.html |title=Mean County Elevation Lists |author=Carl Mills |access-date=October 19, 2014}} Taos County contains 17 of New Mexico's highest 25 peaks.

=Adjacent counties=

=National protected area=

Demographics

{{US Census population

| align = left

| 1850 = 9507

| 1860 = 14103

| 1870 = 12079

| 1880 = 11029

| 1890 = 9868

| 1900 = 10889

| 1910 = 12008

| 1920 = 12773

| 1930 = 14394

| 1940 = 18528

| 1950 = 17146

| 1960 = 15934

| 1970 = 17516

| 1980 = 19456

| 1990 = 23118

| 2000 = 29979

| 2010 = 32937

| 2020 = 34489

| estyear = 2021

| estimate = 34623

| estref =

| 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{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/taoscountynewmexico |access-date=September 30, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

}}

=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 29,979 people, 12,675 households, and 7,757 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|14|/sqmi|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|abbr=out}}.[https://www.census.gov Detailed Tables], U.S. Census Bureau There were 17,404 housing units at an average density of {{convert|8|/sqmi|/km2|abbr=out}}. 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.

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.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35055

|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/20200213021749/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35055

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|15.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 20,265 housing units at an average density of {{convert|9.2|/sqmi}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35055

|access-date=January 24, 2016

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

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213183201/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35055

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} 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. In terms of ancestry, 10.8% were English, 10.3% were German, 9.0% were Irish, and 1.2% were American.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35055

|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/20200213030832/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35055

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

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.

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.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35055

|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/20200213021501/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35055

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Communities

=Towns=

Red River
Taos (county seat)

=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%. Taos County often rivals Santa Fe County as the most Democratic county in New Mexico. Taos itself, Ranchos de Taos, Taos Pueblo, Taos Ski Valley, Picuris Pueblo, the Arroyo Seco and Arroyo Hondo areas, and the rural southern and western parts of the county all vote strongly Democratic, while the Red River area votes strongly Republican. Questa and El Prado are also Democratic-leaning, though they saw heavy Republican trends in 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/us/elections/2024-election-map-precinct-results.html?unlocked_article_code=1.qk4.9CUE.eUcpg0mNRL9r&smid=url-share | title=An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2024 Election | work=The New York Times | date=January 15, 2025 | last1=Datar | first1=Saurabh | last2=Marcus | first2=Ilana | last3=Murray | first3=Eli | last4=Singer | first4=Ethan | last5=Lemonides | first5=Alex | last6=Zhang | first6=Christine }}

{{PresHead|place=Taos 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

School districts for the county include:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35055_taos/DC20SD_C35055.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712185852/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35055_taos/DC20SD_C35055.pdf |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Taos County, NM|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 12, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35055_taos/DC20SD_C35055_SD2MS.txt Text list]

In popular culture

File:A329, Earthship home under construction, Taos, New Mexico, USA, 2011.JPG

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is featured in the 1994 crime-drama film Natural Born Killers,{{cite journal |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/new-mexico/taos/9125/rio-grande-gorge-bridge/attraction-detail.html |title=Rio Grande Gorge Bridge | journal=New York Times |year=2011 |access-date=June 4, 2011}} in the 2007 comedy Wild Hogs,{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486946/goofs |title=Goofs for Wild Hogs (2007) |website=IMDb |access-date=June 4, 2011}} and in the 2009 film Terminator: Salvation.{{cite web |url=http://www.theterminatorfans.com/SetReports/salvationfuturewar.html |title=Terminator Salvation: Set Locations Revisited |date=January 28, 2010 |publisher=TheTerminatorFans.com |access-date=June 3, 2011}}

The 2007 film Garbage Warrior documents architect Mike Reynolds who builds Earthships in and around Taos County.{{cite news |url=http://hesomagazine.com/featured/garbage-warrior/ |title=Garbage Warrior |work=HESO Magazine |date=October 7, 2009 }}