Jal, New Mexico facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jal, New Mexico
City
Motto(s):  "The Enchantment Starts Here!"
Location of Jal, New Mexico
Jal, New Mexico Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	New Mexico
County	Lea
Area
• Total	4.82 sq mi (12.49 km2)
• Land	4.82 sq mi (12.49 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	3,071 ft (936 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	2,047
• Estimate  (2019)	2,117
• Density	438.94/sq mi (169.47/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	88252
Area code(s)	575
FIPS code	35-35040
GNIS feature ID	0899684

Jal is a small city located in Lea County, New Mexico, United States. It is New Mexico's south-easternmost city, and shares a border with eastward state Texas. The population was 2,047 at the 2010 census. Jal is historically important in the natural gas industry, from the early 1900s to the present day.

Geography

Jal is located at 32°6′44″N 103°11′35″W / 32.11222°N 103.19306°W / 32.11222; -103.19306 (32.112102, -103.192972).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,047 people, with 788 occupied houses. The population density was 426.5 people per square mile (163.8/km²). There were 1009 housing units at an average density of 210.2 per square mile (80.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.81% White, 0.83% African American, 0.73% Native American, 11.82% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 48.12% of the population.

There were 788 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 19, 12.2% in their 20s, 10.1% in their 30s, 12.6% in their 40s, 13.2% in their 50s, and 22.4% who were 60 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,813, and the median income for a family was $51,538. Males had a median income of $46,250 versus $30,147 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,597. About 12.0% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

Name

In the 1880s, several brothers brought a herd of cattle to Monument Draw, six miles southeast of the present city. The cattle were branded with the initials of the previous owner (John A.Lynch) and the cattle soon came to be called the JAL Cattle. The men who worked the herd referred to them as the Jal cowboys. In time the name became synonymous with the settlement itself.

Airport

The city is served by the Lea County/Jal airport about three miles to the northeast. The airport has a paved, 4700 ft. runway. Jal once saw commuter airline service in 1964 by Solar Airlines.

Climate

Jal experiences a hot semi-arid climate, typical of the high plains of eastern New Mexico.

Notable people

• Kathy Whitworth, winner of 88 LPGA Tour events, more than anyone else; 1965 and 1966 female athlete of the year

See also

In Spanish: Jal (Nuevo México) para niños