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Colfax County, New Mexico

Coordinates: 36°37′N 104°38′W / 36.61°N 104.64°W / 36.61; -104.64
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Colfax County
County
Colfax County Courthouse in Raton
Colfax County Courthouse in Raton
Flag of Colfax County
Flag
Map of New Mexico highlighting Colfax County
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
Map of the United States highlighting New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°37′N 104°38′W / 36.61°N 104.64°W / 36.61; -104.64
Country United States
State New Mexico
FoundedJanuary 25, 1869
Named forSchuyler Colfax
SeatRaton
Largest cityRaton
Area
 • Total
3,768 sq mi (9,760 km2)
 • Land3,758 sq mi (9,730 km2)
 • Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
12,387
 • Density3.3/sq mi (1.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.colfax.nm.us
Veterans Monument at Colfax County Courthouse in Raton
Former Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad car displayed at Raton

Colfax County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,387.[1] Its county seat is Raton.[2] It is south from the Colorado state line. This county was named for Schuyler Colfax (1823–1885), seventeenth Vice President of the United States under U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.

Colfax County is the home of Philmont Scout Ranch and the NRA Whittington Center.[3]

History

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Colfax County was originally part of Taos County, one of the original nine counties created by the New Mexico Territory in 1852. In 1859, the eastern part of Taos County, including all of the territory of Colfax County, was split off to form Mora County. Colfax County was established on January 25, 1869, from the northern part of Mora County. The original county seat was the gold mining town of Elizabethtown.[4]: 37–38 

By 1872, when the gold rush in Elizabethtown had died down, the county seat was moved to Cimarron. Cimarron was on the stage coach route along the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail, and was the headquarters of the Maxwell Land Grant. The Colfax County Courthouse in Cimarron is a contributing structure in the Cimarron Historic District, and is still in use as a Masonic lodge.

In 1881, the county seat moved from Cimarron to Springer, on the former Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad, since 1996 part of the BNSF Railway. The Colfax County Courthouse in Springer was the site of one of the last important shoot-outs in the Colfax County War.[4]: 122–124  This former courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places is now a museum devoted to the Santa Fe Trail.

The eastern portions of Colfax, Mora, and San Miguel counties were severed to form Union County in 1893.

After a referendum and a bitter legislative fight, the county seat moved from Springer to Raton in 1897.[5]: 23–24  Raton was an important coal-mining town, and was also a railroad center. The citizens of Raton raised $8000 to pay one third of the costs of a new courthouse. That courthouse was replaced in 1932 by the current Colfax County Courthouse (Raton, New Mexico), an art-deco WPA structure that also is on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,768 square miles (9,759 km2), of which 3,758 square miles (9,733 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (0.3%) is water.[7]

A large portion of the County lies in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Geography ranges from prairies, to pinon forests, to alpine meadows.

The County contains numerous state parks, ski resorts, national forests, scenic vistas, and outdoor recreational activities.

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18701,992—
18803,39870.6%
18907,974134.7%
190010,15027.3%
191016,46062.2%
192021,55030.9%
193019,157−11.1%
194018,718−2.3%
195016,761−10.5%
196013,806−17.6%
197012,170−11.8%
198013,66712.3%
199012,925−5.4%
200014,1899.8%
201013,750−3.1%
202012,387−9.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010[12]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[13] there were 14,189 people, 5,821 households, and 3,975 families living in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 8,959 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.50% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 12.80% from other races, and 3.59% from two or more races. 47.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,821 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.70% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 26.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,744, and the median income for a family was $36,827. Males had a median income of $26,736 versus $19,644 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,418. About 12.00% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 13,750 people, 6,011 households, and 3,749 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 3.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.4 inhabitants/km2). There were 10,023 housing units at an average density of 2.7 units per square mile (1.0 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 83.8% white, 1.5% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 10.3% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 47.2% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 14.1% were German, 9.7% were Irish, 9.3% were English, 6.1% were Italian, and 3.7% were American.[16]

Of the 6,011 households, 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.6% were non-families, and 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age was 46.7 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,216 and the median income for a family was $48,450. Males had a median income of $35,849 versus $23,977 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,047. About 11.8% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.[17]

1900-

Communities

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City

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Town

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Villages

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Former communities

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Politics

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Colfax County is a bellwether county in presidential elections; since 1912, the county has voted for the winner of the presidential election in most elections, with the only exceptions being in 1968, 1988, 2000 and 2020, when the county voted for Hubert Humphrey, Michael Dukakis, Al Gore and Donald Trump, respectively. Colfax county voted over 56% for Donald Trump in 2024, which was the highest percentage given to a Republican candidate in the county since Nixon's 1972 landslide.

United States presidential election results for Colfax County, New Mexico[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,252 55.94% 2,436 41.91% 125 2.15%
2020 3,271 54.37% 2,611 43.40% 134 2.23%
2016 2,585 48.48% 2,129 39.93% 618 11.59%
2012 2,699 46.83% 2,828 49.06% 237 4.11%
2008 2,805 43.94% 3,490 54.67% 89 1.39%
2004 3,082 51.64% 2,824 47.32% 62 1.04%
2000 2,600 47.61% 2,653 48.58% 208 3.81%
1996 1,975 38.23% 2,659 51.47% 532 10.30%
1992 1,730 33.09% 2,607 49.87% 891 17.04%
1988 2,256 44.37% 2,785 54.77% 44 0.87%
1984 2,994 54.59% 2,435 44.39% 56 1.02%
1980 2,537 49.88% 2,266 44.55% 283 5.56%
1976 2,259 45.13% 2,718 54.29% 29 0.58%
1972 2,663 57.88% 1,855 40.32% 83 1.80%
1968 2,212 44.39% 2,477 49.71% 294 5.90%
1964 1,636 32.53% 3,367 66.95% 26 0.52%
1960 2,316 41.90% 3,187 57.65% 25 0.45%
1956 2,959 54.71% 2,450 45.29% 0 0.00%
1952 3,397 51.58% 3,184 48.34% 5 0.08%
1948 2,575 39.74% 3,871 59.74% 34 0.52%
1944 2,661 46.81% 3,017 53.07% 7 0.12%
1940 3,452 44.89% 4,234 55.06% 4 0.05%
1936 2,745 36.84% 4,661 62.56% 45 0.60%
1932 3,214 42.59% 4,282 56.74% 51 0.68%
1928 3,904 56.29% 3,022 43.57% 10 0.14%
1924 3,512 48.06% 3,067 41.97% 728 9.96%
1920 3,351 54.87% 2,709 44.36% 47 0.77%
1916 1,835 47.29% 2,006 51.70% 39 1.01%
1912 1,036 36.24% 1,182 41.34% 641 22.42%

Education

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School districts include:[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Colfax County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "NRA Whittington Center". Raton, New Mexico. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Pike, David (2004). Roadside New Mexico: a guide to historic markers. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press. pp. 434 p. ISBN 0-8263-3118-1.
  5. ^ Conway, Jay T. (1930). A brief community history of Raton, New Mexico. Raton: Gazette Print. pp. 17 p.
  6. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  15. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  16. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  17. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  19. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Colfax County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022. - Text list
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