Torrance County, New Mexico

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3346 sqmi, of which 0.9 sqmi (0.03%) is covered by water. Most of the county is gently rolling grassland ranging from 6000 to 6200 feet in elevation. The Manzano Mountains rising to 10,098 feet on the western edge of the county provide it with its only significant topographic relief. The Manzano Wilderness area includes the highest part of the mountains. The other notable geographic feature of the county is the series of playas and seasonal lakes centering on Laguna del Perro southeast of Estancia.

Adjacent counties

• Santa Fe County - north
• San Miguel County - north
• Guadalupe County - east
• Lincoln County - south
• Socorro County - south
• Valencia County - west
• Bernalillo County - northwest

National protected areas

• Cibola National Forest (part)
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (part)

Government

County Commissioners

• District 1: Kevin McCall (2019 - 2022)
• District 2: Ryan Schwebach (2019 - 2022)
• District 3: Samuel Schropp (2023 - 2024)
• County Manager - Janice Y. Barela
• County Clerk - Linda Jaramillo (2023 - 2024)
• County Treasurer - Tracy L. Sedillo (2021 - 2024)
• County Assessor - Jesse Lucero (2019 - 2022)
• County Sheriff - David Frazee (2023–2026)
• County Probate Judge - Josie Chavez-Eaton (2019 - 2022)

Demographics

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

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 15,045. The median age was 45.5 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.9 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 65.1% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 2.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 15.5% from some other race, and 15.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 41.6% of the population.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 5,953 households in the county, of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 7,169 housing units, of which 17.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.7% were owner-occupied and 19.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 16,383 people, 6,264 households, and 4,192 families residing in the county.{{cite web |access-date=January 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032304/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35057 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213191513/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35057 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020751/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35057 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

Of the 6,264 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.1% were non-families, and 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 41.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,117 and the median income for a family was $43,914. Males had a median income of $37,545 versus $28,826 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,278. About 13.5% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web |access-date=January 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034033/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35057 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 16,911 people, 6,024 households, and 4,391 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 /sqmi. There were 7,257 housing units at an average density of 2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 74.10% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 1.71% Native American, 17.64% from other races, and 4.41% from two or more races. 37.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,024 households, out of which 37.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.40% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 9.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,446, and the median income for a family was $34,461. Males had a median income of $29,403 versus $21,833 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,134. About 15.20% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.50% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Moriarty

Towns

• Estancia (county seat)
• Mountainair

Villages

• Encino
• Willard

Census-designated places

• Deer Canyon
• Duran
• Indian Hills
• Manzano
• Manzano Springs (partial)
• McIntosh
• Punta de Agua
• Tajique
• Torreon

Unincorporated communities

• Abo
• Cedarvale
• Clines Corners
• Progresso
• Wagon Wheel

Education

School districts include:

• Corona Municipal Schools
• Estancia Municipal Schools
• Moriarty Municipal Schools
• Mountainair Public Schools
• Vaughn Municipal Schools

References

References

1. "Torrance County, New Mexico". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Georgia. (2016-11-17). "The Center of New Mexico".
4. "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau.
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "Torrance County, New Mexico - County Commission".
7. "Torrance County, New Mexico - Probate Judge".
8. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
16. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
17. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Torrance County, NM". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].