San Miguel County (Spanish: Condado de San Miguel) is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,201.[1] Its county seat is Las Vegas.[2]

San Miguel County
San Miguel County Courthouse in Las Vegas
San Miguel County Courthouse in Las Vegas
Map of New Mexico highlighting San Miguel 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: 35°28′N 104°50′W / 35.47°N 104.83°W / 35.47; -104.83
Country United States
State New Mexico
FoundedJanuary 9, 1852
Named forSan Miguel del Vado
SeatLas Vegas
Largest cityLas Vegas
Area
 • Total
4,736 sq mi (12,270 km2)
 • Land4,716 sq mi (12,210 km2)
 • Water20 sq mi (50 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
27,201
 • Density5.7/sq mi (2.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websiteco.sanmiguel.nm.us

San Miguel County comprises the Las Vegas Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Las Vegas combined statistical area.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,736 square miles (12,270 km2), of which 4,716 square miles (12,210 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (0.4%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18507,074
186013,71493.9%
187016,05817.1%
188020,63828.5%
189024,20417.3%
190022,053−8.9%
191022,9304.0%
192022,867−0.3%
193023,6363.4%
194027,91018.1%
195026,512−5.0%
196023,468−11.5%
197021,951−6.5%
198022,7513.6%
199025,74313.2%
200030,12617.0%
201029,393−2.4%
202027,201−7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6]
1990–2000[7] 2010[8]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[9] there were 30,126 people, 11,134 households, and 7,537 families living in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile (2.3 people/km2). There were 14,254 housing units at an average density of 3 units per square mile (1.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.22% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 1.82% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 36.21% from other races, and 4.33% from two or more races. 77.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,134 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.50% were married couples living together, 16.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.40% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,524, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $27,307 versus $22,588 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,268. About 19.90% of families and 24.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.80% of those under age 18 and 25.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 29,393 people, 11,978 households, and 7,275 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 6.2 inhabitants per square mile (2.4/km2). There were 15,595 housing units at an average density of 3.3 units per square mile (1.3 units/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 66.6% white, 1.7% American Indian, 1.4% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 25.4% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 76.8% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 6.3% were German, 5.3% were English, and 1.6% were American.[12]

Of the 11,978 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 40.7 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,213 and the median income for a family was $42,888. Males had a median income of $35,176 versus $28,351 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,508. About 15.7% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 22.7% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Communities

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City

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Villages

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Census-designated places

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Other communities

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Ghost town

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Education

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Montezuma Castle is on the campus of the United World College of the American West

Public school districts include:[14]

Tertiary education institutions in San Miguel County include:

Native American Preparatory School, a private school, was in operation in the county until 2002.[15]

Notable people

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Politics

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San Miguel County has traditionally been heavily Democratic. The last time it voted Republican for president was 1956, and from 1988-2020 no Republican cracked 30% of the vote. Donald Trump broke through this particular record in 2024, when he carried over 35% of the vote; his performance in the county was the best by a Republican presidential candidate since Reagan in 1984.

United States presidential election results for San Miguel County, New Mexico[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,873 35.19% 6,937 63.03% 195 1.77%
2020 3,421 29.67% 7,888 68.41% 222 1.93%
2016 2,313 21.51% 7,285 67.76% 1,153 10.72%
2012 2,303 20.01% 8,850 76.90% 356 3.09%
2008 2,478 19.15% 10,320 79.75% 143 1.11%
2004 3,313 27.34% 8,683 71.67% 120 0.99%
2000 2,215 24.18% 6,540 71.39% 406 4.43%
1996 1,938 20.09% 6,995 72.51% 714 7.40%
1992 2,183 23.26% 6,186 65.90% 1,018 10.84%
1988 2,763 30.62% 6,131 67.95% 129 1.43%
1984 3,485 39.38% 5,227 59.06% 138 1.56%
1980 3,292 39.34% 4,514 53.94% 563 6.73%
1976 3,162 37.17% 5,204 61.17% 141 1.66%
1972 4,434 47.71% 4,663 50.18% 196 2.11%
1968 4,027 48.12% 4,088 48.85% 253 3.02%
1964 2,714 31.91% 5,767 67.81% 24 0.28%
1960 3,988 41.92% 5,520 58.02% 6 0.06%
1956 5,083 55.86% 4,014 44.11% 3 0.03%
1952 5,360 54.59% 4,451 45.34% 7 0.07%
1948 4,655 48.34% 4,953 51.44% 21 0.22%
1944 4,014 46.13% 4,684 53.83% 4 0.05%
1940 4,882 44.61% 6,054 55.32% 7 0.06%
1936 4,697 43.07% 6,199 56.84% 10 0.09%
1932 5,364 51.28% 5,076 48.53% 20 0.19%
1928 5,184 59.26% 3,560 40.70% 4 0.05%
1924 3,894 50.56% 3,543 46.00% 265 3.44%
1920 5,535 58.11% 3,990 41.89% 0 0.00%
1916 2,932 56.37% 2,231 42.90% 38 0.73%
1912 2,479 55.67% 1,740 39.07% 234 5.25%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "San Miguel County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: San Miguel County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.Text list
  15. ^ Boyle, Christina (May 26, 2002). "Native American Preparatory School Graduates its Last Class". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. B-1, B-4. – Clipping of first page and of second page at Newspapers.com. reprinted in Canku Ota, June 1, 2002.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
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35°28′N 104°50′W / 35.47°N 104.83°W / 35.47; -104.83