Editing Eddy County, New Mexico

{{Short description|County in New Mexico, United States}}
{{distinguish|Eddy County, North Dakota}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Eddy County
 | state                = New Mexico
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1891
 | founded date         = May 16
 | seat wl              = Carlsbad
 | largest city wl      = Carlsbad
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 4198
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 4176
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 22
 | area percentage      = 0.5%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 62314
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = www.co.eddy.nm.us/
 | ex image             = Eddy County New Mexico Court House.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Eddy County Courthouse in Carlsbad
 | district             = 2nd
 | district2            = 3rd
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | named for            = Charles Eddy, a local rancher
}}

'''Eddy County''' is a [[List of counties in New Mexico|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Mexico]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 62,314.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eddy County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Eddy_County,_New_Mexico?g=050XX00US35015|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704084002/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 4, 2012  }}</ref> The county was created in 1891 and later organized in 1892.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/NM_Consolidated_Chronology.htm|title=New Mexico: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries|date=2007|editor-last=Long|editor-first=John H.|work=New Mexico Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|access-date=January 2, 2015|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822051237/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/NM_Consolidated_Chronology.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is north of the [[Texas]] state line.

Eddy County comprises the Carlsbad-[[Artesia, New Mexico|Artesia]], NM [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

[[Carlsbad Caverns National Park]] is located in this county. Eddy County is the location of the [[Waste Isolation Pilot Plant]].

==History==
In 1866, [[Charles Goodnight]] and [[Oliver Loving]] drove vast herds of cattle along the Pecos and set up "cow camps" in [[Seven Rivers, New Mexico|Seven Rivers]] and what is now Carlsbad. [[John Chisum]] soon joined them and brought an estimated 100,000 head of cattle of his own through the Pecos Valley.

In 1881, Charles B. Eddy came to the area, and with his brother, John, and partner Amos Bissell, developed the Eddy-Bissell Cattle Company. In 1884, the Eddy brothers and Bissell broke ground on the Halagueno Ranch which encompassed an area from Seven Rivers to La Huerta (a suburb of Carlsbad). In 1887, Eddy built the Halagueno diversion ditch on the Pecos, three miles above the site of the Avalon Dam (which was completed in 1890) and incorporated the venture, calling it the Pecos Valley Land and Ditch Company. Eddy was looking to entice Europeans to settle the area, and with the new Halagueno Ranch and the Pecos Valley Land and Ditch Company established, he sought funds from a Swiss bank to help attract them to the clean air and sunny climate.

In 1888, [[Patrick Garrett]] (known as the sheriff who had shot [[Billy the Kid]]) along with promoter Charles Greene, joined forces with Eddy to design and build a system of canals and flumes to divert water to their ranches and properties. Greene was able to procure investors from the east, one of which was Robert W. Tansill (manufacturer of the "Punch 5 ¢ Cigar"). These men, along with another big investor, [[J.J. Hagerman]], laid the plans for a new town on the west bank of the Pecos River. The men had the town incorporated as Eddy on September 15, 1888.

The county was named for cattle rancher Charles B. Eddy. When the territorial legislature set the boundaries of Eddy County, in 1889, Seven Rivers was named the county seat. During an election in 1890 for new county commissioners, a referendum was on the ballot to change the seat from Seven Rivers to the town of Eddy. The referendum passed by a vote of 331 to 83. In that year, the census said Eddy had only 278 people and they cast 241 of the winning votes. The referendum also included the building of a courthouse. Charles Eddy donated the land which consisted of an entire town block. The county commissioners authorized a contract for $30,000 to build a brick courthouse. (In 1899, the town of Eddy changed its name to Carlsbad.)

On January 10, 1891, the first railroad train on the new Pecos Valley Railroad arrived in Eddy, from [[Pecos, Texas]]. Crops of cotton and alfalfa (which were found to be the perfect crops for the Eddy County area), along with cattle, sheep, wool, and people, could be moved into and out of the area with ease, now. This brought more investors and many more settlers into the area.

In 1902, Carlsbad Caverns were discovered about {{convert|18|mi|km|abbr=on}} southwest of Carlsbad town. The discovery is still disputed between [[James Larkin White|Jim White]] and Abijah Long. The caves are now known as [[Carlsbad Caverns National Park]]. The caverns have brought many millions of visitors from around the world into Eddy County.

Oil was discovered in Eddy County in 1909, near the town of Dayton (8&nbsp;mi south of [[Artesia, New Mexico|Artesia]]). Another big oil strike happened in 1923, when Martin Yates Jr., purchased a well near Artesia, and southeastern New Mexico was said to be "gushing oil!". Drilling commenced at a furious pace and by 1938, the area's oil production was valued at $32 million annually.

In 1925, a geologist, Dr. V. H. McNutt, discovered major deposits of [[potash]], while looking for oil east of Carlsbad. This ushered in a "boom" in potash mining, and several large potash producers set up business in the area.
<ref>[http://www.co.eddy.nm.us/aboutus.html "About Us"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724000247/http://www.co.eddy.nm.us/aboutus.html |date=July 24, 2011 }}. About Eddy County. Retrieved December 6, 2010.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|4198|sqmi}}, which is just about four times the size of the entire U.S. State of Rhode Island.  Of that area, {{convert|4176|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|22|sqmi}} (0.5%) is covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195546/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 1, 2015 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}</ref> The [[List of U.S. states by elevation|lowest point]] in the state of New Mexico is located on the [[Red Bluff Reservoir]] in Eddy County, where the impounded [[Pecos River]] flows out of New Mexico and into [[Texas]].

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Otero County, New Mexico|Otero County]] - west
* [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves County]] - north
* [[Lea County, New Mexico|Lea County]] - east
* [[Loving County, Texas]] - southeast
* [[Reeves County, Texas]] - south
* [[Culberson County, Texas]] - south

===National protected areas===
* [[Carlsbad Caverns National Park]]
* [[Lincoln National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1900 = 3229
| 1910 = 12420
| 1920 = 9116
| 1930 = 15842
| 1940 = 24311
| 1950 = 40640
| 1960 = 50783
| 1970 = 41119
| 1980 = 47855
| 1990 = 48605
| 2000 = 51658
| 2010 = 53829
| 2020 = 62314
| estyear = 
| estimate = 
| estref = 
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 1, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 1, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nm190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 1, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 1, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & Bounty QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35015.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 29, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606225911/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35015.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
}}

===2000===
As of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website  }}</ref> 51,658 people, 19,379 households, and 14,069 families resided in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|12|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. The 22,249 housing units averaged {{convert|5|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 76.34% White, 1.56% Black or African American, 1.25% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 17.67% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. About 38.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 19,379 households, 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were not families. About 24.20% 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 2.63 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was distributed as 28.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,998, and for a family was $36,789. Males had a median income of $31,909 versus $19,686 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $15,823. About 13.60% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 13.40% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 53,829&nbsp;people, 20,411&nbsp;households, and 14,292&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35015
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011625/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35015
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|12.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|inhabitants&nbsp;|inhabitants|}}. There were 22,585 housing units at an average density of {{convert|5.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35015
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213183427/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35015
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 77.4% white, 1.5% American Indian, 1.4% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 16.0% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 44.1% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 10.8% were [[Germans|German]], 8.8% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 8.5% were [[English people|English]], and 7.0% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35015
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034513/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35015
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 20,411&nbsp;households, 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08. The median age was 37.3 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $46,583 and the median income for a family was $56,646. Males had a median income of $49,788 versus $30,158 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,587. About 9.2% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35015
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030217/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35015
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Communities==
[[Image:cabinetetc 011.jpg|thumb|right|Countryside in Eddy County, {{convert|10|mi|km}} west of Hope]]

===Cities===
* [[Artesia, New Mexico|Artesia]]
* [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]] (county seat)

===Villages===
* [[Hope, New Mexico|Hope]]
* [[Loving, New Mexico|Loving]]

===Census-designated places===

* [[Atoka, New Mexico|Atoka]]
* [[Happy Valley, New Mexico|Happy Valley]]
* [[La Huerta, New Mexico|La Huerta]]
* [[Livingston Wheeler, New Mexico|Livingston Wheeler]]
* [[Loco Hills, New Mexico|Loco Hills]]
* [[Malaga, New Mexico|Malaga]]
* [[Morningside, New Mexico|Morningside]]
* [[Whites City, New Mexico|Whites City]]

===Ghost Towns===
* Avalon
* Barber Crossing
* Four Forks
* Four Wells
* Harkey Crossing
* Hunter Place
* Lookout
* Red Bluff
* Illinois Camp
* Three Forks

==Politics==
For much of the first half of the 20th century, Eddy was a Democratic stronghold. Then it became a Republican-leaning swing county until the turn of the century. Since then, it has become a Republican stronghold, like most plains counties. [[Donald Trump's]] 2020 and 2024 performances here, both of over 75%, are the strongest victories for any Republican in county history. 
{{PresHead|place=Eddy County, New Mexico|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|18,141|5,032|299|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|17,454|5,424|344|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,147|5,033|1,487|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|12,583|6,142|544|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|12,500|7,351|242|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|13,268|6,880|122|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|10,335|7,108|344|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|8,534|8,959|1,505|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|7,313|7,409|3,480|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|9,805|8,544|186|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|11,810|7,364|191|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|9,817|7,028|514|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|7,698|9,073|115|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|9,921|5,040|385|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|7,193|6,093|1,780|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|6,747|11,216|69|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|7,986|8,707|87|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|6,691|7,820|107|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|6,041|7,495|55|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,305|7,593|123|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,083|5,228|16|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,625|4,968|11|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,027|4,349|49|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|818|3,565|76|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,618|1,212|3|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|658|1,524|138|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|982|1,611|31|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|425|1,402|105|New Mexico}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|145|936|537|New Mexico}}

==Education==
School districts serving portions of the county include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35015_eddy/DC20SD_C35015.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628165615/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35015_eddy/DC20SD_C35015.pdf |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Eddy County, NM|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=June 28, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35015_eddy/DC20SD_C35015_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Artesia Public Schools]]
* [[Carlsbad Municipal Schools]]
* [[Loving Municipal Schools]]

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Eddy County, New Mexico]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.co.eddy.nm.us Eddy County Official Website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Eddy County, New Mexico
|North     = [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Lea County, New Mexico|Lea County]]
|Southeast = [[Loving County, Texas]]
|South     = [[Reeves County, Texas]] and [[Culberson County, Texas]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Otero County, New Mexico|Otero County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Eddy County, New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|32.47|-104.30|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NM_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Eddy County, New Mexico| ]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in New Mexico Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1891]]