Grant County, New Mexico

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,968 sqmi, of which 3,962 sqmi is land and 5.9 sqmi (0.1%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Catron County - north
• Sierra County - east
• Luna County - southeast
• Hidalgo County - south
• Greenlee County, Arizona - west

National protected area

• Gila National Forest (part)

Demographics

| align-fn = center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2016

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 28,185 people and 12,269 households in the county. The population density was 7.1 /sqmi. There were 14,584 housing units at an average density of 3.7 /sqmi, of which 15.9% were vacant.

The median age was 49.3 years. 19.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 28.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.5 males.

The racial makeup of the county was 64.8% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 2.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 11.7% from some other race, and 19.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 47.8% of the population.

59.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.4% lived in rural areas.

Of the 12,269 households, 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 29.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Among occupied housing units, 72.3% were owner-occupied and 27.7% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 29,514 people, 12,586 households and 7,941 families living in the county. The population density was 7.4 /sqmi. There were 14,693 housing units at an average density of 3.7 /sqmi. The racial make-up was 84.9% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 9.6% from other races and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 48.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 11.9% were English, 11.8% were German, 10.4% were Irish, and 2.9% were American.

Of the 12,586 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.9% were non-families, and 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 45.9 years.

The median Household income was $36,591 and the median family income was $44,360. Males had a median income of $38,731 and females $27,161. The per capita income was $21,164. About 11.7% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 31,002 people, 12,146 households and 8,514 families living in the county. The population density was 8 /mi2. There were 14,066 housing units at an average density of 4 /mi2. The racial make-up was 75.67% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 1.35% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 19.02% from other races, and 3.11% from two or more races. 48.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,146 households, of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

26.20% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 23.70% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64 and 16.50% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median household income was $29,134 and the median family income was $34,231. Males had a median income of $31,126 and females $19,627. The per capita income was $14,597. About 15.10% of families and 18.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Bayard

Towns

• Hurley
• Silver City (county seat)

Village

• Santa Clara

Census-designated places

• Arenas Valley
• Buckhorn
• Casas Adobes
• Cliff
• Cobre
• Faywood
• Gila
• Gila Hot Springs
• Hachita
• Hanover
• Lake Roberts
• Lake Roberts Heights
• Little Walnut Village
• Mimbres
• North Hurley
• Pinos Altos
• Redrock
• Rosedale
• San Lorenzo
• Trout Valley
• Tyrone
• White Signal

Unincorporated communities

• Carpenter
• Dwyer
• Fort Bayard
• Mangas Springs
• Mimbres Valley
• Mule Creek
• Riverside
• Separ
• Sherman

Politics

Grant County has leaned Democratic for most of its history, although since 1980 Republicans have typically held over 40% of the vote. Since 1932, it has only voted for the Republican presidential nominee twice, both times by narrow margins. The communities of Silver City, Bayard and Hurley and surrounding areas are strongly Democratic and hold the majority of the county's voters, while many rural areas of the county, especially in the south and west, are highly Republican.

References

References

1. "Grant County, New Mexico Profile". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
4. "Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments".
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
13. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
14. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. (January 15, 2025). "An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2024 Election". The New York Times.
20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".