Socorro County, New Mexico

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Socorro County, New Mexico
Map
Location in the state of New Mexico
New Mexico's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded	1 July 1850
Seat	Socorro
Largest city	Socorro
Area - Total - Land - Water	6,649 sq mi (17,221 km²) 2 sq mi (5 km²), 0.03%
Population - (2000) - Density	18,078 3/sq mi (1/km²)
Website: www.co.socorro.nm.us

Socorro County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico, United States. As of 2000, the population is 18,078. The county seat is Socorro. Socorro was originally the name given to a Native American village (see: Pueblo Indians) by Don Juan de Oñate in 1598. Having received vitally needed food and assistance from the native population, Oñate named the pueblo Socorro ("succor" in English).

1 Geography
- 1.1 Adjacent counties
- 1.2 National protected areas
2 Demographics
3 Localities
4 References
5 Further reading
6 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,649 sq mi (17,220 km²). 6,646 sq mi (17,214 km²) of it is land and 2 sq mi (6 km²) of it (0.03%) is water.

Socorro county ranges in elevation from approximately 4528 ft on the banks of the Rio Grande to 10,784 ft at the top of South Baldy peak in the Magdalena mountains. The county contains several mountain ranges of which the Magdalena mountains and the San Mateo mountains are classified as sky islands.

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] National protected areas

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Cibola National Forest (part)
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (part)
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 18,078 people, 6,675 households, and 4,492 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 7,808 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.87% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 10.92% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 20.10% from other races, and 4.28% from two or more races. 48.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,675 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.40% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.40% under the age of 18, 12.60% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,439, and the median income for a family was $29,544. Males had a median income of $28,490 versus $22,482 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,826. About 24.10% of families and 31.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.60% of those under age 18 and 24.30% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Localities

[edit] Other localities

[edit] References

^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] Further reading

The Socorro Country Fat Tire Trail Book, The Socorro Fat Tire Committee in association with the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, Socorro County Chamber of Commerce, Socorros, New Mexico, 1993, stapled paperback pamphlet, ISBN 0-88307-712-4 see mountain bicycling.