Grant County, New Mexico

Grant County is a place in the U.S. state of New Mexico. In 2020, about 28,185 people lived there. The main town, called the county seat, is Silver City. The county was created a long time ago, in 1868, and was named after Ulysses S. Grant, who was the 18th President of the United States. Grant County is part of a smaller group of towns and cities called the Silver City, NM, Micropolitan Statistical Area, and it belongs to a group of nearby areas known as the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Grant County has a total area of 3,968 square miles (10,280 km²). Most of this area is land, covering 3,962 square miles (10,260 km²), with a small amount being water, about 5.9 square miles (15 km²).

The county shares borders with several other counties. To the north is Catron County, to the east is Sierra County, to the southeast is Luna County, to the south is Hidalgo County, and to the west is Greenlee County, Arizona. Part of the Gila National Forest is also located within Grant County.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 28,185 people and 12,269 households in the county. The population density was 7.1 per square mile (2.7/km²). There were 14,584 housing units at an average density of 3.7 per square mile (1.4/km²), of which 15.9% were empty.

The median age was 49.3 years. 19.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 28.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.5 males.

The racial makeup of the county was 64.8% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 2.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 11.7% from some other race, and 19.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 47.8% of the population.

59.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.4% lived in rural areas.

Of the 12,269 households, 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 29.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Among occupied housing units, 72.3% were owner-occupied and 27.7% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 29,514 people, 12,586 households and 7,941 families living in the county. The population density was 7.4 per square mile (2.9/km²). There were 14,693 housing units at an average density of 3.7 per square mile (1.4/km²). The racial make-up was 84.9% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 9.6% from other races and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 48.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 11.9% were English, 11.8% were German, 10.4% were Irish, and 2.9% were American.

Of the 12,586 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.9% were non-families, and 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 45.9 years.

The median Household income was $36,591 and the median family income was $44,360. Males had a median income of $38,731 and females $27,161. The per capita income was $21,164. About 11.7% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 31,002 people, 12,146 households and 8,514 families living in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km²). There were 14,066 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km²). The racial make-up was 75.67% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 1.35% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 19.02% from other races, and 3.11% from two or more races. 48.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,146 households, of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

26.20% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 23.70% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64 and 16.50% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median household income was $29,134 and the median family income was $34,231. Males had a median income of $31,126 and females $19,627. The per capita income was $14,597. About 15.10% of families and 18.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	1,143		—
1880	4,539		297.1%
1890	9,657		112.8%
1900	12,883		33.4%
1910	14,813		15.0%
1920	21,939		48.1%
1930	19,050		−13.2%
1940	20,050		5.2%
1950	21,649		8.0%
1960	18,700		−13.6%
1970	22,030		17.8%
1980	26,204		18.9%
1990	27,676		5.6%
2000	31,002		12.0%
2010	29,514		−4.8%
2020	28,185		−4.5%
2025 (est.)	27,252		−3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2016

Communities

Grant County has many places where people live. The largest is the city of Bayard. Other important towns include Hurley and the county seat, Silver City. There is also a village called Santa Clara.

The county includes several areas known as census-designated places, such as Arenas Valley, Buckhorn, and Casas Adobes. Other places to note are Gila, Gila Hot Springs, and Hachita, among many others. There are also unincorporated communities like Dwyer, Fort Bayard, and Mangas Springs.

Politics

Grant County has mostly voted for Democratic leaders throughout its history. However, since 1980, Republican leaders have also gained support, usually getting more than 40% of the votes. Since 1932, the county has only chosen a Republican leader for president two times, and each time by just a small number of votes. The towns of Silver City, Bayard, and Hurley, along with the areas around them, strongly support Democratic leaders and have most of the county's voters. In contrast, many rural parts of the county, especially in the south and west, strongly support Republican leaders.