Torrance County, New Mexico

Infobox U.S. County
county = Torrance County
state = New Mexico




map size = 200
founded = March 16, 1903
seat = Estancia | largest city = Moriarty
area_total_sq_mi =3346
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.03%
census yr = 2000
pop = 16911
density_km2 =2
web = www.torrancecountynm.org
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Torrance County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of 2000, the population is 16,911. The county seat is EstanciaGR|6. It is part of the Albuquerque, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area. The center of population of New Mexico is located in Torrance County, in the town of Manzano [http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt] .

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,346 square miles (8,666 km²), of which, 3,345 square miles (8,663 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.03%) is water. The county is primarily gently-rolling grassland ranging from 6000 to 6200 feet in elevation. The Manzano Mountains on the western edge of the county provide it with its only significant topographic relief. The other notable geographic feature of the county is the series of playas and seasonal lakes centering on Laguna del Perro southeast of Estancia.

Adjacent counties

* Santa Fe County, New Mexico - north
* San Miguel County, New Mexico - north
* Guadalupe County, New Mexico - east
* Lincoln County, New Mexico - south
* Socorro County, New Mexico - south
* Valencia County, New Mexico - west
* Bernalillo County, New Mexico - northwest

National protected areas

* Cibola National Forest (part)
* Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (part)

Government

County Commissioners
*District 1: Jim Frost
*District 2: Paul M. (Tito) Chavez
*District 3: LeRoy Candelaria (Commission Chairman)

*County Manager - Joy Ansley
*County Clerk - Linda Kayser
*County Treasurer - James Hall
*County Assessor - Jim Shields

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 16,911 people, 6,024 households, and 4,391 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 7,257 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.89% White, 1.66% Black or African American, 2.09% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 17.95% from other races, and 3.97% from two or more races. 37.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,024 households out of which 37.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county the population was spread out with 30.40% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 9.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,446, and the median income for a family was $34,461. Males had a median income of $29,403 versus $21,833 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,134. About 15.20% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.50% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Localities

City

*Moriarty

Towns

*Estancia
*Mountainair
*Willard

Village

*Encino

Census-designated places

*Manzano
*Tajique
*Torreon

Other locality

*Progresso

References