San Miguel County, New Mexico

San Miguel County (Condado de San Miguel) is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,201. Its county seat is Las Vegas.

San Miguel County comprises the Las Vegas Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Las Vegas combined statistical area.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4736 sqmi, of which 4716 sqmi is land and 20 sqmi (0.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Mora County – north
 * Harding County – east
 * Quay County – southeast
 * Guadalupe County – south
 * Torrance County – southwest
 * Santa Fe County – west

National protected areas

 * Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
 * Pecos National Historical Park (part)
 * Santa Fe National Forest (part)

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 30,126 people, 11,134 households, and 7,537 families living in the county. The population density was 6 /mi2. There were 14,254 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 56.22% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 1.82% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 36.21% from other races, and 4.33% from two or more races. 77.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,134 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.50% were married couples living together, 16.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 26.60% 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 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.40% under the age of 18, 10.90% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,524, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $27,307 versus $22,588 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,268. About 19.90% of families and 24.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.80% of those under age 18 and 25.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 29,393 people, 11,978 households, and 7,275 families living in the county. The population density was 6.2 PD/sqmi. There were 15,595 housing units at an average density of 3.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 66.6% white, 1.7% American Indian, 1.4% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 25.4% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 76.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 6.3% were German, 5.3% were English, and 1.6% were American.

Of the 11,978 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 40.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,213 and the median income for a family was $42,888. Males had a median income of $35,176 versus $28,351 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,508. About 15.7% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 22.7% of those age 65 or over.

City

 * Las Vegas (county seat)

Villages

 * Mosquero (part)
 * Pecos

Census-designated places

 * Conchas Dam
 * East Pecos
 * North San Ysidro
 * Pueblo
 * Ribera
 * Rowe
 * San Jose
 * Sena
 * Soham
 * Tecolote
 * Tecolotito
 * Villanueva

Other communities

 * Bernal
 * El Cerrito
 * El Porvenir
 * Garita
 * Holy Ghost
 * Ilfeld
 * Montezuma
 * Rociada
 * San Miguel del Vado
 * Sapello
 * Serafina
 * South San Ysidro
 * Tererro
 * Trementina
 * Valles de San Geronimo

Ghost town

 * Las Ruedas

Education
Public school districts include:
 * Las Vegas City Public Schools
 * Pecos Independent Schools
 * Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools
 * West Las Vegas Public Schools

Tertiary education institutions in San Miguel County include:
 * Armand Hammer United World College of the American West
 * Luna Community College
 * New Mexico Highlands University

Native American Preparatory School, a private school, was in operation in the county until 2002.

Notable people

 * Antonia Apodaca (1923–2020) born in Rociada, folk musician and composer
 * Margaret Larkin (1899–1967), born in Las Vegas, writer and musician
 * María Dolores Gonzáles (1917–1975), leader in bilingual education in New Mexico

Politics
San Miguel County is heavily Democratic. The last time it voted Republican for president was 1956, and since 1992 no Republican has cracked 30% of the vote.