Lincoln County, New Mexico

Lincoln County, New Mexico
Old Lincoln County courthouse in Lincoln
Seal of Lincoln County, New Mexico Seal
Location in the U.S. state of New Mexico
New Mexico's location in the U.S.
Founded	1869
Named for	Abraham Lincoln
Seat	Carrizozo
Largest village	Ruidoso
Area
• Total	4,831 sq mi (12,512 km2)
• Land	4,831 sq mi (12,512 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (1 km2), 0.0%
Population
• (2010)	20,497
• Density	4.2/sq mi (2/km²)
Congressional district	2nd
Time zone	Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website	www.lincolncountynm.gov

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,497. Its county seat is Carrizozo, while its largest community is Ruidoso.

History

It was once the largest county in the United States. In the late 1870s the so-called Lincoln County War broke out 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 deputy that killed his friend, another deputy, and the county sheriff. 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 an amnesty to the combatants in order to bring a long-lasting truce between the factions.

Today, Lincoln County is a much more peaceful county. Most of the population is centered in the southern portion of the county in the Greater Ruidoso Area. The town of Carrizozo serves as the county seat and is located 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 located on the southern end of the county and southeast of Ruidoso operates the Ruidoso Down Racetrack and Casino. The track hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, notably the All American Futurity, the richest race 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.

Adjacent counties

• 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

• Cibola National Forest (part)
• Fort Stanton – Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area
• Lincoln National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	7,822		—
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%
Est. 2014	19,706		−3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

2010

Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:

• 85.1% White
• 0.5% Black
• 2.4% Native American
• 0.4% Asian
• 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 2.5% Two or more races
• 9.1% Other races
• 29.8% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,411 people, 8,202 households, and 5,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 15,298 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/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

Town

• Carrizozo (county seat)

Villages

• Capitan
• Corona
• Ruidoso
• Ruidoso Downs

Census-designated place

• Nogal

Other communities

• Alto
• Arabela
• Bluewater
• Coyote
• Glencoe
• Hondo
• Lincoln
• Picacho
• Riverside
• San Patricio
• Tinnie

Ghost town

• White Oaks

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, New Mexico