Grant County, New Mexico

Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. At the 2020 census, the population was 28,185.[1] Its county seat is Silver City.[2] The county was founded in 1868 and named for Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.[3]

Grant County
Grant County Courthouse in Silver City
Map of New Mexico highlighting Grant County
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
Map of the United States highlighting New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°44′N 108°23′W / 32.73°N 108.38°W / 32.73; -108.38
Country United States
State New Mexico
Founded1868
Named forUlysses S. Grant
SeatSilver City
Largest townSilver City
Area
 • Total3,968 sq mi (10,280 km2)
 • Land3,962 sq mi (10,260 km2)
 • Water5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  0.1%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
27,889
 • Density7.1/sq mi (2.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.grantcountynm.gov

Grant County comprises the Silver City, NM, Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is part of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments.[4]

Geography

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Narrow-gauge railroad to the mines at Pinos Altos

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,968 square miles (10,280 km2), of which 3,962 square miles (10,260 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
191014,813
192021,93948.1%
193019,050−13.2%
194020,0505.2%
195021,6498.0%
196018,700−13.6%
197022,03017.8%
198026,20418.9%
199027,6765.6%
200031,00212.0%
201029,514−4.8%
202028,185−4.5%
2021 (est.)27,889[6]−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2016[1]

2000 census

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At the 2000 census,[11] there were 31,002 people, 12,146 households and 8,514 families living in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 14,066 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2). 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.

2010 census

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At the 2010 census, there were 29,514 people, 12,586 households and 7,941 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 7.4 per square mile (2.9/km2). There were 14,693 housing units at an average density of 3.7 per square mile (1.4/km2).[13] 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.[12] In terms of ancestry, 11.9% were English, 11.8% were German, 10.4% were Irish, and 2.9% were American.[14]

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.[12]

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.[15]

2020 census

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At the 2020 census,[16] there were 28,185 people and 11,496 households in the county. The population density was 7.1 per square mile (2.7/km2). There were 14,584 housing units at an average density of 3.7 per square mile (1.4/km2). The racial make-up was 64.8% white, 2.1% American Indian, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 11.7% from other races, and 19.5% of two or more races. 47.8% of the population are of Hispanic origin.[17]

Communities

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Showy specimen of chalcopyrite in quartz needles, from the old Groundhog Mine, between Bayard and the Chino mine.
The old Pinos Altos Opera House

City

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Towns

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Village

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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Grant County is heavily Democratic. Since 1932, it has only voted for the Republican presidential nominee twice, both times by narrow margins.

United States presidential election results for Grant County, New Mexico[18]
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party
No. %No. %No. %
20206,55345.40%7,59052.58%2922.02%
20165,28841.28%6,27648.99%1,2479.73%
20125,35841.53%7,09054.95%4543.52%
20085,40639.30%8,14259.19%2071.50%
20046,13545.81%7,09552.98%1621.21%
20004,96144.13%5,67350.47%6075.40%
19963,99336.54%5,86053.62%1,0759.84%
19922,91728.38%5,60354.52%1,75717.10%
19884,19643.10%5,44355.91%960.99%
19844,97945.93%5,75553.09%1060.98%
19804,62847.41%4,60047.13%5335.46%
19764,09543.90%5,17655.49%570.61%
19724,43150.46%4,08146.48%2693.06%
19682,90838.52%3,81750.56%82410.92%
19642,04227.92%5,25371.82%190.26%
19602,46835.93%4,37863.74%220.32%
19563,22443.70%4,12255.88%310.42%
19523,42143.18%4,31554.47%1862.35%
19481,99934.90%3,59262.72%1362.37%
19441,97036.17%3,47263.75%40.07%
19402,01533.98%3,91466.00%10.02%
19361,46931.02%3,21567.88%521.10%
19321,38128.80%3,34469.74%701.46%
19282,05850.69%1,99449.11%80.20%
19241,75639.59%2,08547.00%59513.41%
19202,23053.77%1,87945.31%380.92%
19161,86943.73%2,30553.93%1002.34%
191243920.72%1,13053.33%55025.96%

See also

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References

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Further reading

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  • Caballero, Raymond, McCarthyism vs. Clinton Jencks. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2019.
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32°44′N 108°23′W / 32.73°N 108.38°W / 32.73; -108.38