Lincoln County, New Mexico - Wikipedia
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| Lincoln County, New Mexico | |
|---|---|
| County | |
 Old Lincoln County courthouse in Lincoln | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico | |
| Coordinates: 33°44′N 105°28′W / 33.74°N 105.46°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Mexico |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Named after | Abraham Lincoln[1] |
| Seat | Carrizozo |
| Largest village | Ruidoso |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,831 sq mi (12,510 km2) |
| • Land | 4,831 sq mi (12,510 km2) |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.52 km2) 0.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 20,269  |
| • Density | 4.2/sq mi (1.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www.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
[edit] | This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Prior to the creation of Lincoln County, the Mescalero Apache occupied this region. They were confined to a reservation near Fort Stanton in 1873 and to their present reservation, only partly in Lincoln County, in 1883. Much of the commerce of late-19th century Lincoln County consisted of government contracts to provide food and other commodities to the Mescalero and to the soldiers at Fort Stanton. Hispanics from northern New Mexico began moving into the region in the 1850s.[4]
Lincoln County was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. The country was created in 1869 when Soccoro County was divided into two with Lincoln county in the east. At the time, it was the largest county in area in the United States. The country boundaries were often modified and reduced until 1909 when the present-day boundaries were established.[5][6]
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
[edit]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.[7]
Adjacent counties
[edit]- Torrance County – north
- Guadalupe County – north
- De Baca County – northeast
- Chaves County – east
- Otero County – south
- Sierra County – southwest
- Socorro County – west
National protected areas
[edit]- Cibola National Forest (part)
- Fort Stanton – Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area
- Lincoln National Forest (part)
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 1,803 | — | |
| 1880 | 2,513 | 39.4% | |
| 1890 | 7,081 | 181.8% | |
| 1900 | 4,958 | −30.0% | |
| 1910 | 7,822 | 57.8% | |
| 1920 | 7,823 | 0.0% | |
| 1930 | 7,198 | −8.0% | |
| 1940 | 8,557 | 18.9% | |
| 1950 | 7,409 | −13.4% | |
| 1960 | 7,744 | 4.5% | |
| 1970 | 7,560 | −2.4% | |
| 1980 | 10,997 | 45.5% | |
| 1990 | 12,219 | 11.1% | |
| 2000 | 19,411 | 58.9% | |
| 2010 | 20,497 | 5.6% | |
| 2020 | 20,269 | −1.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8]1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]1990–2000[11] 2010[12] | |||
2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 20,269. The median age was 53.0 years, 17.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 29.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.7 males age 18 and over.[13]
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 13,763 | 13,600 | 12,339 | 70.90% | 66.35% | 60.88% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 47 | 74 | 68 | 0.24% | 0.36% | 0.34% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 317 | 407 | 429 | 1.63% | 1.99% | 2.12% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 48 | 67 | 138 | 0.25% | 0.33% | 0.68% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 7 | 5 | 8 | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 29 | 24 | 137 | 0.15% | 0.12% | 0.68% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 225 | 210 | 654 | 1.16% | 1.02% | 3.23% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4,975 | 6,110 | 6,496 | 25.63% | 29.81% | 32.05% |
| Total | 19,411 | 20,497 | 20,269 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 70.4% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 2.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.7% from some other race, and 15.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 32.0% of the population.[17]
54.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 45.5% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 9,148 households in the county, of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 17,624 housing units, of which 48.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.1% were owner-occupied and 23.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 25.2%.[13]
2010 census
[edit]As of the 2010 census, there were 20,497 people, 9,219 households, and 5,859 families living in the county.[19] 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).[20] 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.[19] In terms of ancestry, 17.0% were Irish, 15.6% were German, 12.3% were English, and 4.8% were American.[21]
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.[19]
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.[22]
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 census,[23] 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.
Communities
[edit]City
[edit]- Ruidoso Downs
Town
[edit]- Carrizozo (county seat)
Villages
[edit]- Capitan
- Corona
- Ruidoso[24]
Census-designated place
[edit]- Bluewater
- Nogal
Other communities
[edit]- Alto
- Arabela
- Coyote
- Glencoe
- Hondo
- Lincoln
- Oscuro
- Picacho
- Riverside
- San Patricio
- Tinnie
Ghost towns
[edit]- Jicarilla
- Placitas
- White Oaks
Politics
[edit]Lincoln County is overwhelmingly Republican, voting Democratic in just three 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.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 452 | 40.11% | 461 | 40.91% | 214 | 18.99% |
| 1916 | 889 | 49.50% | 863 | 48.05% | 44 | 2.45% |
| 1920 | 1,456 | 57.32% | 1,047 | 41.22% | 37 | 1.46% |
| 1924 | 1,087 | 49.05% | 837 | 37.77% | 292 | 13.18% |
| 1928 | 1,489 | 64.32% | 821 | 35.46% | 5 | 0.22% |
| 1932 | 1,172 | 34.29% | 2,225 | 65.10% | 21 | 0.61% |
| 1936 | 1,579 | 43.37% | 2,021 | 55.51% | 41 | 1.13% |
| 1940 | 1,794 | 50.25% | 1,763 | 49.38% | 13 | 0.36% |
| 1944 | 1,455 | 51.95% | 1,342 | 47.91% | 4 | 0.14% |
| 1948 | 1,575 | 52.41% | 1,406 | 46.79% | 24 | 0.80% |
| 1952 | 2,004 | 64.52% | 1,095 | 35.25% | 7 | 0.23% |
| 1956 | 1,956 | 64.77% | 1,059 | 35.07% | 5 | 0.17% |
| 1960 | 2,042 | 58.29% | 1,459 | 41.65% | 2 | 0.06% |
| 1964 | 1,761 | 52.55% | 1,565 | 46.70% | 25 | 0.75% |
| 1968 | 2,004 | 64.52% | 802 | 25.82% | 300 | 9.66% |
| 1972 | 2,528 | 77.07% | 696 | 21.22% | 56 | 1.71% |
| 1976 | 2,320 | 61.64% | 1,415 | 37.59% | 29 | 0.77% |
| 1980 | 3,009 | 68.79% | 1,127 | 25.77% | 238 | 5.44% |
| 1984 | 3,992 | 77.04% | 1,134 | 21.88% | 56 | 1.08% |
| 1988 | 3,511 | 66.40% | 1,690 | 31.96% | 87 | 1.65% |
| 1992 | 2,669 | 45.57% | 1,730 | 29.54% | 1,458 | 24.89% |
| 1996 | 3,396 | 52.97% | 2,209 | 34.46% | 806 | 12.57% |
| 2000 | 4,458 | 65.83% | 2,027 | 29.93% | 287 | 4.24% |
| 2004 | 6,070 | 67.34% | 2,822 | 31.31% | 122 | 1.35% |
| 2008 | 6,001 | 61.89% | 3,535 | 36.46% | 160 | 1.65% |
| 2012 | 5,961 | 64.50% | 2,942 | 31.83% | 339 | 3.67% |
| 2016 | 5,896 | 66.23% | 2,331 | 26.19% | 675 | 7.58% |
| 2020 | 6,942 | 67.36% | 3,194 | 30.99% | 170 | 1.65% |
| 2024 | 6,942 | 68.29% | 3,033 | 29.84% | 190 | 1.87% |
Education
[edit]School districts include:[26]
- Capitan Municipal Schools
- Carrizozo Municipal Schools
- Corona Municipal Schools
- Hondo Valley Public Schools
- Ruidoso Municipal Schools
See also
[edit]- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, New Mexico
References
[edit]- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 187.
- ^ "Lincoln County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Banks, Phyllis Eileen. "Bent and Mescalero--Home of the Mescalero Apache". Southern New Mexico. Archived from the original on November 15, 2006.
- ^ Long, Ed., John H. "New Mexico Individual County Chronologies". Newberry Library.
- ^ "Lincoln". New Mexico Historic Sites. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lincoln County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Lincoln County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Lincoln County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Ruidoso-NM.gov | Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM". Ruidoso-NM.gov | Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ "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
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| County seat: Carrizozo | ||
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33°44′N 105°28′W / 33.74°N 105.46°W
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