Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Hidalgo County is the southernmost county of the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2000 census, the population was 5,932, down from its 1980 peak of 6,049 but up 25% since 1970. Over half of the county's population live in the county seat of Lordsburg.

Hidalgo was created on February 25, 1919, from the southern part of Grant County. According to the 2001-2002 New Mexico Blue Book, it was named for the town north of Mexico City where the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. Other sources cite Miguel Hidalgo as the county's namesake.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,446 square miles (8,925 km²), 1 km² (about 0.38 sq mi or 0.01%) of which is water.

Adjacent counties and municipios

• Grant County, New Mexico - north, northeast
• Luna County, New Mexico - east
• Cochise County, Arizona - west
• Greenlee County, Arizona - northwest
• Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico - southwest
• Ascensión, Chihuahua, Mexico - southeast
• Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico - south

National protected areas

• Coronado National Forest (part)
• Gila National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there are 5932 people in the county, organized into 2152 households, and 1542 families. The population density is 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There are 2,848 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county is 83.78% White, 0.78% Native American, 0.40% Black or African American, 0.32% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 11.85% from other races, and 2.87% from two or more races. About 56% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,152 households out of which 37.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% are married couples living together, 13.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% are non-families. 25.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.29.

In the county the population is spread out with 31.70% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $24,819, and the median income for a family is $31,552. Males have a median income of $25,960 versus $19,531 for females. The per capita income for the county is $12,431. 27.30% of the population and 23.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 38.90% of those under the age of 18 and 17.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Localities

There are six small communities scattered throughout the county:

City

• Lordsburg is southeast of Virden, where US 70 and I-10 meet

Village

• Virden is in the northwestern corner, near U.S. Highway 70

Other communities

• Animas is in the middle of the county, south of Cotton City
• Antelope Wells is located on the US-Mexico border on the southern edge of the county
• Cotton City is about 25 miles southwest of Lordsburg
• Playas is about 13 miles almost due east of Animas, near the county border
• Summit is located on County Route A12
• Rodeo is located south of Animas

Ghost towns

• Cloverdale, in the southwestern corner
• Steins
• Shakespeare

References

1. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

External links

• Geology of Lordsburg Quadrangle, Hidalgo County
• Animas, Cotton City, and Playas

Coordinates: 31°55′N 108°43′W / 31.92°N 108.71°W

Categories: New Mexico counties | Hidalgo County, New Mexico | United States counties with Hispanic majority populations "footer-icons">