Lincoln County
County
Old Lincoln County courthouse in Lincoln
Old Lincoln County courthouse in Lincoln
Official seal of Lincoln County
Seal
Map of New Mexico highlighting Lincoln 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: 33°44′N 105°28′W / 33.74°N 105.46°W / 33.74; -105.46
Country United States
State New Mexico
Founded1869
Named forAbraham Lincoln[1]
SeatCarrizozo
Largest villageRuidoso
Area
 • Total4,831 sq mi (12,510 km2)
 • Land4,831 sq mi (12,510 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)  0.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total20,269
 • Density4.2/sq mi (1.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.lincolncountynm.gov

Lincoln County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,269.[2] Its county seat is Carrizozo,[3] while its largest community is Ruidoso.

History

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Lincoln County was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. It was once the largest county in the United States. In the late 1870s, the Lincoln County War began between ranchers and the owners of the county's largest general store. William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid, became involved on the side of the ranchers after his friend and employer was killed. In the end, Bonney killed the county sheriff, a deputy, and the deputy that killed his friend. Several other people were slain in the conflict, which included the other leader of the rancher faction. His death ended the conflict. In 1878, the new territorial governor, retired Union General Lew Wallace, offered amnesty to the combatants to bring a long-lasting truce between the factions.

Most of the population is in the Greater Ruidoso Area. The town of Carrizozo serves as the county seat and is in the Tularosa Basin northwest of Ruidoso. Ruidoso boasts several small suburbs and neighbor communities including Ruidoso Downs, Hollywood, Mescalero, and Alto which contribute to the Ruidoso Micropolitan Statistical Area's population of 21,224. Ruidoso serves as the second largest city in south central New Mexico behind Alamogordo which is 46 miles southwest of the village. Ruidoso Downs on the southern end of the county and southeast of Ruidoso operates the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino. The track hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, notably the All American Futurity, the richest in quarter horse racing. Historical figures from Lincoln County include Billy the Kid and Smokey Bear, whose names help drive the tourism trade that is heavily popularized within the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,831 square miles (12,510 km2), virtually all of which is land.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19107,822—
19207,8230.0%
19307,198−8.0%
19408,55718.9%
19507,409−13.4%
19607,7444.5%
19707,560−2.4%
198010,99745.5%
199012,21911.1%
200019,41158.9%
201020,4975.6%
202020,269−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010[9]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[10] there were 19,411 people, 8,202 households, and 5,634 families living in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 15,298 housing units at an average density of 3 units per square mile (1.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.60% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 1.95% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 11.28% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. 25.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,202 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 30.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,886, and the median income for a family was $40,035. Males had a median income of $27,323 versus $19,923 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,338. About 10.80% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 20,497 people, 9,219 households, and 5,859 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 4.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.6/km2). There were 17,519 housing units at an average density of 3.6 units per square mile (1.4 units/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% white, 2.4% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 9.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 29.8% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 17.0% were Irish, 15.6% were German, 12.3% were English, and 4.8% were American.[13]

Of the 9,219 households, 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.4% were non-families, and 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 49.4 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,750 and the median income for a family was $53,871. Males had a median income of $34,306 versus $29,836 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,290. About 8.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Communities

City

Town

Villages

Census-designated place

Other communities

Ghost towns

Politics

Lincoln County is overwhelmingly Republican, voting Democratic in just 3 elections since New Mexico's founding (1912, 1932, 1936). It was one of only three counties in the state to support Barry Goldwater of neighboring Arizona in 1964, which is also the last time a Democrat managed even 40 percent of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, New Mexico[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,942 67.36% 3,194 30.99% 170 1.65%
2016 5,896 66.23% 2,331 26.19% 675 7.58%
2012 5,961 64.50% 2,942 31.83% 339 3.67%
2008 6,001 61.89% 3,535 36.46% 160 1.65%
2004 6,070 67.34% 2,822 31.31% 122 1.35%
2000 4,458 65.83% 2,027 29.93% 287 4.24%
1996 3,396 52.97% 2,209 34.46% 806 12.57%
1992 2,669 45.57% 1,730 29.54% 1,458 24.89%
1988 3,511 66.40% 1,690 31.96% 87 1.65%
1984 3,992 77.04% 1,134 21.88% 56 1.08%
1980 3,009 68.79% 1,127 25.77% 238 5.44%
1976 2,320 61.64% 1,415 37.59% 29 0.77%
1972 2,528 77.07% 696 21.22% 56 1.71%
1968 2,004 64.52% 802 25.82% 300 9.66%
1964 1,761 52.55% 1,565 46.70% 25 0.75%
1960 2,042 58.29% 1,459 41.65% 2 0.06%
1956 1,956 64.77% 1,059 35.07% 5 0.17%
1952 2,004 64.52% 1,095 35.25% 7 0.23%
1948 1,575 52.41% 1,406 46.79% 24 0.80%
1944 1,455 51.95% 1,342 47.91% 4 0.14%
1940 1,794 50.25% 1,763 49.38% 13 0.36%
1936 1,579 43.37% 2,021 55.51% 41 1.13%
1932 1,172 34.29% 2,225 65.10% 21 0.61%
1928 1,489 64.32% 821 35.46% 5 0.22%
1924 1,087 49.05% 837 37.77% 292 13.18%
1920 1,456 57.32% 1,047 41.22% 37 1.46%
1916 889 49.50% 863 48.05% 44 2.45%
1912 452 40.11% 461 40.91% 214 18.99%

Education

School districts include:[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 187.
  2. ^ "Lincoln County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  13. ^ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  14. ^ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  15. ^ "Ruidoso-NM.gov | Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM". Ruidoso-NM.gov | Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM.
  16. ^ "Alto".
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lincoln County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022. - Text list

33°44′N 105°28′W / 33.74°N 105.46°W / 33.74; -105.46

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