Socorro County, New Mexico

Socorro County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico, United States. As of 2000, the population was 18,078. The county seat is Socorro. Socorro was originally the name given to a Native American village (see: Pueblo Indians) by Don Juan de Oñate in 1598. Having received vitally needed food and assistance from the native population, Oñate named the pueblo Socorro ("succor" in English).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,649 sq mi (17,220 km²). 6,646 sq mi (17,214 km²) of it is land and 2 sq mi (6 km²) of it (0.03%) is water.

Socorro county ranges in elevation from approximately 4528 ft on the banks of the Rio Grande to 10,784 ft at the top of South Baldy peak in the Magdalena Mountains. The county contains several mountain ranges of which the Magdalena Mountains, the San Mateo Mountains and Ladron Peak are classified as sky islands.

Adjacent counties

• Cibola County, New Mexico - northwest
• Valencia County, New Mexico - north
• Torrance County, New Mexico - northeast
• Lincoln County, New Mexico - east
• Sierra County, New Mexico - south
• Catron County, New Mexico - west

National protected areas

• Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
• Cibola National Forest (part)
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (part)
• Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 18,078 people, 6,675 households, and 4,492 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 7,808 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.87% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 10.92% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 20.10% from other races, and 4.28% from two or more races. 48.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,675 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.40% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 26.80% 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 2.62 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.40% under the age of 18, 12.60% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,439, and the median income for a family was $29,544. Males had a median income of $28,490 versus $22,482 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,826. About 24.10% of families and 31.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.60% of those under age 18 and 24.30% of those age 65 or over.

Localities

City

• Socorro

Village

• Magdalena

Census-designated place

• Alamo

Other localities

• Luis Lopez
• Polvadera
• San Antonio

References

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

See also

• Trinity Site, the first test of an atomic bomb
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Socorro County, New Mexico

Further reading

• The Socorro Country Fat Tire Trail Book, The Socorro Fat Tire Committee in association with the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, Socorros, New Mexico, 1993, stapled paperback pamphlet, ISBN 0-88307-712-4 see mountain bicycling.

External links

• Socorro News
• Chamber of Commerce
• Mountain Mail newspaper

Coordinates: 34°01′N 106°56′W / 34.02°N 106.93°W

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