Torrance County
County
Torrance County Courthouse in Estancia
Torrance County Courthouse in Estancia
Flag of Torrance County
Flag
Official seal of Torrance County
Seal
Map of New Mexico highlighting Torrance 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: 34°38′N 105°51′W / 34.64°N 105.85°W / 34.64; -105.85
Country United States
State New Mexico
FoundedMarch 16, 1903
SeatEstancia
Largest cityMoriarty
Area
 • Total3,346 sq mi (8,670 km2)
 • Land3,345 sq mi (8,660 km2)
 • Water0.9 sq mi (2 km2)  0.03%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total15,045
 • Density4.5/sq mi (1.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.torrancecountynm.org

Torrance County is a county located in the center of the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,045.[1] The county seat is Estancia.[2]

The geographic center of New Mexico is located in Torrance County, southwest of the Village of Willard,[3][circular reference] and in 2010, the center of population of New Mexico was located in Torrance County, near Manzano.[4] Torrance County is included in the Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,346 square miles (8,670 km2), of which 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (0.03%) is covered by water.[5] 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

National protected areas

Government

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County Commissioners[6]

United States presidential election results for Torrance County, New Mexico[7]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,772 65.54% 2,344 32.19% 165 2.27%
2016 3,714 58.73% 1,785 28.23% 825 13.05%
2012 3,529 55.12% 2,428 37.93% 445 6.95%
2008 3,735 53.81% 3,087 44.47% 119 1.71%
2004 4,026 61.87% 2,386 36.67% 95 1.46%
2000 2,891 58.29% 1,868 37.66% 201 4.05%
1996 2,154 46.27% 2,072 44.51% 429 9.22%
1992 1,667 40.00% 1,662 39.88% 838 20.11%
1988 2,252 57.19% 1,618 41.09% 68 1.73%
1984 2,326 64.02% 1,274 35.07% 33 0.91%
1980 1,907 57.42% 1,261 37.97% 153 4.61%
1976 1,462 48.54% 1,526 50.66% 24 0.80%
1972 1,758 64.54% 908 33.33% 58 2.13%
1968 1,316 52.98% 974 39.21% 194 7.81%
1964 1,183 44.90% 1,446 54.88% 6 0.23%
1960 1,554 53.88% 1,308 45.35% 22 0.76%
1956 1,567 56.23% 1,201 43.09% 19 0.68%
1952 1,747 54.99% 1,422 44.76% 8 0.25%
1948 1,709 50.09% 1,696 49.71% 7 0.21%
1944 2,014 58.28% 1,438 41.61% 4 0.12%
1940 2,509 56.52% 1,921 43.28% 9 0.20%
1936 1,843 43.60% 2,346 55.50% 38 0.90%
1932 1,803 44.29% 2,202 54.09% 66 1.62%
1928 1,958 64.54% 1,070 35.27% 6 0.20%
1924 1,666 51.18% 1,269 38.99% 320 9.83%
1920 1,751 60.28% 1,125 38.73% 29 1.00%
1916 948 55.83% 679 39.99% 71 4.18%
1912 520 39.54% 390 29.66% 405 30.80%

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191010,119—
19209,731−3.8%
19309,269−4.7%
194011,02619.0%
19508,012−27.3%
19606,497−18.9%
19705,290−18.6%
19807,49141.6%
199010,28537.3%
200016,91164.4%
201016,383−3.1%
202015,045−8.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010[12]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[13] there were 16,911 people, 6,024 households, and 4,391 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 7,257 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 43.89% White, 31.66% Black or African American, 2.09% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 17.95% from other races, and 3.97% 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.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 16,383 people, 6,264 households, and 4,192 families residing in the county.[14] The population density was 4.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.9/km2). There were 7,798 housing units at an average density of 2.3 per square mile (0.89/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 36.1% white, 2.3% American Indian, 41.3% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 15.5% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 39.1% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 17.5% were German, 12.2% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 2.3% were American.[16]

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.[14]

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.[17]

Communities

City

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

School districts include:[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Torrance County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ List of geographic centers of the United States
  4. ^ "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "Torrance County, New Mexico - County Commission". www.torrancecountynm.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  7. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Torrance County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022. - Text list

34°38′N 105°51′W / 34.64°N 105.85°W / 34.64; -105.85

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