| Capital: | Santa Fe |
| Largest city: | Albuquerque |
It has been inhabited by Native American populations and has been part of the Imperial Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, part of Mexico, and a U.S. territory. Among U.S. states, New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanic Americans at 43%, comprising both recent immigrants and descendants of Spanish colonists.[3] It also has the third-highest percentage of Native Americans after Alaska and Oklahoma, and the fifth-highest total number of Native Americans after California, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Texas.[4] The tribes represented in the state consist of mostly Navajo and Pueblo peoples. As a result, the demographics and culture of the state are unique for their strong Spanish, Mexican, and American Indian cultural influences. The climate of the state is highly arid and its territory is mostly covered by mountains and desert. At a population density of 15 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth most sparsely inhabited U.S. State.
As of 2005, New Mexico has an estimated population of 1,928,384, which is an increase of 25,378, or 1.3%, from the prior year
Oil and gas production, tourism, and federal government spending are important drivers of the state economy. State government has an elaborate system of tax credits and technical assistance to promote job growth and business investment, especially in new technologies.
- In 2007 the per capita personal income was $31,474 (rank 43rd in the nation)
- New Mexico is a leading crude oil and natural gas producer in the United States
- New Mexico provides a number of economic incentives to businesses operating in the state, including various types of tax credits and tax exemptions.
Governor Bill Richardson and Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, both Democrats, won re-election in 2006. Their terms expire in January 2011.
| Rank | City | County | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Albuquerque | Bernalillo County | 518,271 |
| 2 | City of Las Cruces | Dona Ana County | 89,722 |
| Rank | County | Population within county limits |
Land Area sq. miles |
Population Density per sq mi |
Largest city |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bernalillo County | 629,292 | 1,166 | 540 | Albuquerque |
| 2 | Doña Ana County | 198,791 | 3,807 | 52 | Las Cruces |
Notable New Mexicans
Many New Mexicans-those who were born, raised, or lived a significant period in New Mexico-have gained local, national, and international prominence.
Politicians
Businessmen
- Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com
- Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels Corporation.
- Bill Gates founded his company Microsoft in Albuquerque.
Scientists
- notably NASA astronauts Sidney M. Gutierrez
- Harrison Schmitt
- Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, a former New Mexico State University professor, discovered Pluto.
Artists
Actors and Actresses
Outlaws
Lawmen
Las Cruces
The racial makeup of the city was 69.01% White, 2.34% African American, 1.74% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 21.59% from other races, and 4.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.73% of the population.
There were 29,184 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.05.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,375, and the median income for a family was $37,670.
- Unlike many cities its size, Las Cruces lacks a true central business district. This is due to the fact that in the 1960s a large urban renewal project tore down a large part of the original downtown.
