Sierra County, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sierra County
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Sierra County Courthouse in Truth or Consequences
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Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
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 New Mexico's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Mexico |
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| Founded | 1884 | |
| Named for | the Black Range (Spanish: Sierra Diablo) | |
| Seat | Truth or Consequences | |
| Largest city | Truth or Consequences | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4,236 sq mi (10,970 km2) | |
| • Land | 4,179 sq mi (10,820 km2) | |
| • Water | 57 sq mi (150 km2) 1.4%% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,576 | |
| • Density | 2.9/sq mi (1.1/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) | |
| Congressional district | 2nd | |
Sierra County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 11,576. Its county seat is Truth or Consequences.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,236 square miles (10,970 km2), of which 4,179 square miles (10,820 km2) is land and 57 square miles (150 km2) (1.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Catron County - northwest
- Socorro County - north
- Lincoln County - northeast
- Otero County - east
- Doña Ana County - south
- Luna County - south
- Grant County - west
National protected areas
- Cibola National Forest (part)
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail (part)
- Gila National Forest (part)
Major highways
I-25
US 85
NM 152
NM 181
NM 179
NM 187
NM 195
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 3,536 | — | |
| 1920 | 4,619 | 30.6% | |
| 1930 | 5,184 | 12.2% | |
| 1940 | 6,962 | 34.3% | |
| 1950 | 7,186 | 3.2% | |
| 1960 | 6,409 | −10.8% | |
| 1970 | 7,189 | 12.2% | |
| 1980 | 8,454 | 17.6% | |
| 1990 | 9,912 | 17.2% | |
| 2000 | 13,270 | 33.9% | |
| 2010 | 11,988 | −9.7% | |
| 2020 | 11,576 | −3.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2016 |
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2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 11,988 people, 5,917 households, and 3,126 families living in the county. The population density was 2.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.1/km2). There were 8,356 housing units at an average density of 2.0 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% white, 1.7% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 8.6% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 28.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 14.0% were German, 9.4% were American, 8.4% were English, and 8.0% were Irish.
Of the 5,917 households, 17.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 47.2% were non-families, and 40.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.64. The median age was 54.5 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,583, the lowest of any county in New Mexico.[1] The median income for a family was $38,641. Males had a median income of $32,059 versus $26,213 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,667. About 15.6% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Spaceport America
Spaceport America is located in Sierra County, 45 miles (72 km) north of Las Cruces and 30 miles (48 km) east of Truth or Consequences. Sierra County voters approved the creation of a spaceport tax district in April 2008, freeing up funding for its construction.
Communities
Cities
- Elephant Butte
- Truth or Consequences (county seat)
Village
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Sierra (Nuevo México) para niños
