Editing Lincoln County, New Mexico

{{Short description|County in New Mexico, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county       = Lincoln County
 | state            = New Mexico
 | seal                 = Seal of Lincoln County, New Mexico.png
 | founded year         = 1869
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl           = Carrizozo
 | largest city wl     = Ruidoso
 | city type           = village
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 4831
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 4831
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.2
 | area percentage      = 0.0%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 20269 {{loss}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 4.2
 | web                  = http://www.lincolncountynm.gov/
 | ex image             = LincolnNM Jail and Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Old Lincoln County courthouse in Lincoln
 | district             = 1st
 | time zone          = Mountain
 | named for            = [[Abraham Lincoln]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA187|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=187}}</ref>
}}

'''Lincoln County''' is a [[List of counties in New Mexico|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Mexico]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 20,269.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lincoln County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Lincoln_County,_New_Mexico?g=050XX00US35027|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Carrizozo, New Mexico|Carrizozo]],<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}}</ref> while its largest community is [[Ruidoso, New Mexico|Ruidoso]].

==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2011}}
Lincoln County was named in honor of President [[Abraham Lincoln]]. It was once the largest county in the United States. In the late 1870s, the [[Lincoln County War]] began between [[rancher]]s and the owners of the county's largest general store. William Bonney, better known as [[Billy the Kid]], became involved on the side of the ranchers after his friend and employer was killed. In the end, Bonney killed the county sheriff, a deputy, and the deputy that killed his friend. Several other people were slain in the conflict, which included the other leader of the rancher faction. His death ended the conflict. In 1878, the new territorial governor, retired Union General [[Lew Wallace]], offered amnesty to the combatants to bring a long-lasting truce between the factions.

Most of the population is in the Greater Ruidoso Area. The town of Carrizozo serves as the county seat and is in the Tularosa Basin northwest of Ruidoso. Ruidoso boasts several small suburbs and neighbor communities including [[Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico|Ruidoso Downs]], [[Hollywood, New Mexico|Hollywood]], [[Mescalero, New Mexico|Mescalero]], and [[Alto, New Mexico|Alto]] which contribute to the Ruidoso [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]]'s population of 21,224. Ruidoso serves as the second largest city in south central New Mexico behind [[Alamogordo, New Mexico|Alamogordo]] which is 46 miles southwest of the village. Ruidoso Downs on the southern end of the county and southeast of Ruidoso operates the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino. The track hosts both [[Thoroughbred horse race|thoroughbred]] and [[Horse racing#Quarter Horse|quarter horse racing]], notably the [[All American Futurity]], the richest in quarter horse racing. Historical figures from Lincoln County include [[Billy the Kid]] and [[Smokey Bear]], whose names help drive the tourism trade that is heavily popularized within the county.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|4831|sqmi}}, virtually all of which is land.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195546/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|archive-date=January 1, 2015}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Torrance County, New Mexico|Torrance County]] – north
* [[Guadalupe County, New Mexico|Guadalupe County]] – north
* [[De Baca County, New Mexico|De Baca County]] – northeast
* [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves County]] – east
* [[Otero County, New Mexico|Otero County]] – south
* [[Sierra County, New Mexico|Sierra County]] – southwest
* [[Socorro County, New Mexico|Socorro County]] – west

===National protected areas===
* [[Cibola National Forest]] (part)
* [[Fort Stanton – Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area]]
* [[Lincoln National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1870 = 1803
| 1880 = 2513
| 1890 = 7081
| 1900 = 4958
| 1910 = 7822
| 1920 = 7823
| 1930 = 7198
| 1940 = 8557
| 1950 = 7409
| 1960 = 7744
| 1970 = 7560
| 1980 = 10997
| 1990 = 12219
| 2000 = 19411
| 2010 = 20497
| 2020 = 20269
| 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 2, 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 2, 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 2, 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 2, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35027.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 29, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606230046/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35027.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
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> there were 19,411 people, 8,202 households, and 5,634 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 15,298 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 83.60% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.35% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.95% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.27% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 11.28% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.48% from two or more races. 25.63% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 8,202 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 30.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,886, and the median income for a family was $40,035. Males had a median income of $27,323 versus $19,923 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,338. About 10.80% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 20,497&nbsp;people, 9,219&nbsp;households, and 5,859&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35027
  |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/20200213013053/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35027
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|4.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 17,519 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.6|/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.CY07/0500000US35027
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234412/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35027
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% white, 2.4% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 9.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 29.8% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 17.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 15.6% were [[Germans|German]], 12.3% were [[English people|English]], and 4.8% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35027
  |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/20200213033113/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35027
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 9,219&nbsp;households, 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.4% were non-families, and 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 49.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $43,750 and the median income for a family was $53,871. Males had a median income of $34,306 versus $29,836 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,290. About 8.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% 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/DP03/0500000US35027
  |title=DP03 Selected Economic 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/20200213020831/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35027
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Communities==
===City===
* [[Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico|Ruidoso Downs]]

===Town===
* [[Carrizozo, New Mexico|Carrizozo]] (county seat)

===Villages===
* [[Capitan, New Mexico|Capitan]]
* [[Corona, New Mexico|Corona]]
* [[Ruidoso, New Mexico|Ruidoso]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/|title=Ruidoso-NM.gov &#124; Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM|website=Ruidoso-NM.gov &#124; Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM}}</ref>

===Census-designated place===
* [[Nogal, New Mexico|Nogal]]

===Other communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Alto, New Mexico|Alto]]
* [[Arabela, New Mexico|Arabela]]
* [[Bluewater, Lincoln County, New Mexico|Bluewater]]
* [[Coyote, Lincoln County, New Mexico|Coyote]]
* [[Glencoe, New Mexico|Glencoe]]
* [[Hondo, New Mexico|Hondo]]
* [[Oscuro, New Mexico|Oscuro]]
* [[Picacho, New Mexico|Picacho]]
* [[Riverside, Lincoln County, New Mexico|Riverside]]
* [[San Patricio, New Mexico|San Patricio]]
* [[Tinnie, New Mexico|Tinnie]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
* [[Jicarilla, New Mexico|Jicarilla]]
* [[Placitas, Lincoln County, New Mexico|Placitas]]
* [[White Oaks, New Mexico|White Oaks]]

==Politics==
Lincoln County is overwhelmingly Republican, voting Democratic in just three elections since New Mexico's founding (1912, 1932, 1936). It was one of only three counties in the state to support [[Barry Goldwater]] of neighboring [[Arizona]] in 1964, which is also the last time a Democrat managed even 40 percent of the county's vote.
{{PresHead|place=Lincoln 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|6,942|3,033|190|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,942|3,194|170|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,896|2,331|675|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,961|2,942|339|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,001|3,535|160|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,070|2,822|122|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,458|2,027|287|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,396|2,209|806|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,669|1,730|1,458|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,511|1,690|87|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,992|1,134|56|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,009|1,127|238|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,320|1,415|29|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,528|696|56|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,004|802|300|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,761|1,565|25|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,042|1,459|2|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,956|1,059|5|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,004|1,095|7|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,575|1,406|24|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,455|1,342|4|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,794|1,763|13|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,579|2,021|41|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,172|2,225|21|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,489|821|5|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,087|837|292|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,456|1,047|37|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|889|863|44|New Mexico}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|452|461|214|New Mexico}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35027_lincoln/DC20SD_C35027.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905154520/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35027_lincoln/DC20SD_C35027.pdf |archive-date=September 5, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lincoln County, NM|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=September 5, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35027_lincoln/DC20SD_C35027_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Capitan Municipal Schools]]
* [[Carrizozo Municipal Schools]]
* [[Corona Municipal Schools]]
* [[Hondo Valley Public Schools]]
* [[Ruidoso Municipal Schools]]

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Lincoln County, New Mexico
|North     = [[Torrance County, New Mexico|Torrance County]] and [[Guadalupe County, New Mexico|Guadalupe County]]
|Northeast = [[De Baca County, New Mexico|De Baca County]]
|East      = [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Otero County, New Mexico|Otero County]]
|Southwest = [[Sierra County, New Mexico|Sierra County]]
|West      = [[Socorro County, New Mexico|Socorro County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Lincoln County, New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|33.74|-105.46|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NM_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Lincoln County, New Mexico| ]]
[[Category:1869 establishments in New Mexico Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1869]]