Editing Raton, New Mexico

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Raton, New Mexico
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = File:Downtown Raton - New Mexico.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Raton
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Colfax_County_New_Mexico_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Raton_Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Colfax County, New Mexico|Colfax County]] and [[New Mexico]]
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[New Mexico]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Mexico|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Colfax County, New Mexico|Colfax]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='35'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 20.62
|area_land_km2            = 20.62
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 7.96
|area_land_sq_mi          = 7.96
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 6041
|population_density_sq_mi = 759
|population_density_km2   = 293
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;7
|timezone_DST             = MDT
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;6
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 6559
|coordinates              = {{coord|36|52|25|N|104|26|24|W|region:US-NM_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 87740
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 575|575]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 35-62060
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2411522<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411522}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|ratonnm.gov}}
}}

'''Raton''' ({{IPAc-en|r|ə|'|t|ou|n}} {{respell|rə|TONE}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://encyclopediaofsantafe.com/pages/words/raton.html |title=''Encyclopedia of Santa Fe''|author=Cross, Mark H.|access-date=2017-05-23}}</ref> is a city in and the county seat of [[Colfax County, New Mexico|Colfax County]] in northeastern [[New Mexico]], United States. The city is located just south of [[Raton Pass]]. The city is also located about 6.5 miles south of the New Mexico–[[Colorado]] border and 85 miles west of [[Texas]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 6,041.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Raton%20city,%20New%20Mexico |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:New Mexico - Phillips Hole through Raton - NARA - 68144845 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|AT&SF rail yard in Raton, 1943]]
''Ratón'' is Spanish for mouse.

Raton Pass had been used by Spanish explorers and Native Americans for centuries to cut through the rugged [[Rocky Mountains]], and the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail cuts through the city, along what is now Business I-25.

The post office at this location was named Willow Springs from 1877 to 1879, Otero from 1879 to 1880, then renamed Raton in 1880.<ref>{{cite book | last = Julyan | first = Robert | title = The Place Names of New Mexico | publisher = University of New Mexico Press | location = Albuquerque | year = 1998 | edition = Revised | isbn = 0-8263-1689-1 }}</ref>{{Rp|286}}

Raton was founded at the site of Willow Springs, a stop on the [[Santa Fe Trail]]. The original {{convert|320|acre|ha|1}} for the Raton townsite were purchased from the [[Maxwell Land Grant]] in 1880. In 1879, the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] bought a local toll road and established a busy rail line. Raton quickly developed as a railroad, mining, and ranching center for the northeast part of the New Mexico territory, as well as the county seat and principal trading center of the area.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|20.6|km2|order=flip}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3562060| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212185253/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3562060| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Raton city, New Mexico| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref> The Raton Range and Raton Peak are located immediately north of the town. The Raton Range is a {{convert|75|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} ridge that extends east from the [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]. [[Raton Pass]] and the [[Raton Basin]] are also named for the Raton Range.

===Geology===
The [[Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary]], also known as the K-Pg or K-T boundary, or the iridium layer, can be viewed in Raton.<ref name="NMGSGuideBook">{{cite journal|last1=Pillmore|first1=C.L.|last2=Fleming|first2=R. Farley|title=The Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary in the Raton Basin, New Mexico and Colorado|url=https://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/downloads/41/41_p0327_p0331.pdf|journal=New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook|date=1990|volume=41st Field Conference, Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico|issue=Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains|pages=327–331|access-date=5 November 2014}}</ref> A well-preserved sequence of rocks spans the K-T boundary in Climax Canyon Park in Raton.<ref name=NMGSGuideBook/><ref name=OldRatonPassBrochure>{{cite book|last1=Raton|first1=City Manager|title=Old Raton Pass City Park Map and Brochure|date=2014|publisher=Raton Visitor Center|location=Raton, New Mexico|pages=1–2|edition=Paper Re-Print}}</ref> The rocks have been studied for evidence of the [[iridium anomaly]] cited as evidence of a large meteorite impact at the end of the Cretaceous.<ref name=NMGSGuideBook/><ref name=AsimovLATimes>{{cite news|last1=Asimov|first1=Isaac|title=Theory Has Impact on Dinosaur Doom|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-14-vw-1541-story.html|access-date=5 November 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=14 April 1989}}</ref> It is interpreted to have caused the [[Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event]], which killed off dinosaurs and many other species of flora and fauna 66 million years ago.<ref name=AsimovLATimes/>

===Climate===
Raton has a cold, semi-arid (BSk) climate under the [[Köppen Classification]] System.  
{{Weather box |location = Raton, New Mexico (elevation {{convert|6,680|ft|m|-1|disp=or}})
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 81
|Mar record high F = 86
|Apr record high F = 91
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 85
|Dec record high F = 82
|year record high F = 104
|Jan high F = 47.2
|Feb high F = 48.6
|Mar high F = 56.3
|Apr high F = 64.6
|May high F = 72.7
|Jun high F = 82.3
|Jul high F = 86.2
|Aug high F = 84.5
|Sep high F = 77.9
|Oct high F = 68.4
|Nov high F = 56.7
|Dec high F = 48.2
|year high F = 66.1
|Jan low F = 14.9
|Feb low F = 16.7
|Mar low F = 22.1
|Apr low F = 30.1
|May low F = 38.9
|Jun low F = 47.0
|Jul low F = 52.4
|Aug low F = 51.9
|Sep low F = 43.3
|Oct low F = 33.1
|Nov low F = 22.5
|Dec low F = 14.8
|year low F= 32.3
|Jan record low F = −31
|Feb record low F = −26
|Mar record low F = −14
|Apr record low F = -2
|May record low F = 9
|Jun record low F = 26
|Jul record low F = 35
|Aug record low F = 36
|Sep record low F = 18
|Oct record low F = -3
|Nov record low F = −13
|Dec record low F = −20
|year record low F = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.35
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.55
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.72
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.68
|May precipitation inch = 2.17
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.22
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.91
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.36
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.93
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.09
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.57
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.44
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
|Jan snow inch = 4.5
|Feb snow inch = 6.5
|Mar snow inch = 5.7
|Apr snow inch = 3.4
|May snow inch = 1.7
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0.3
|Oct snow inch = 1.1
|Nov snow inch = 3.6
|Dec snow inch = 4.3
|year snow inch= 
|source 1 = The Western Regional Climate Center<ref name="WRCC">{{cite web
|url = https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?nm7277 | title =Raton, NM | access-date =December 7, 2020 | publisher =Western Regional Climate Center }}</ref>
|date=December 2020
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 1255
|1900= 3540
|1910= 4539
|1920= 5544
|1930= 6090
|1940= 7607
|1950= 8241
|1960= 8146
|1970= 6962
|1980= 8225
|1990= 7372
|2000= 7282
|2010= 6885
|2020= 6041
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:35&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[United States Census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, 7,282 people, 3,035 households, and 1,981 families were residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|992|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 3,472 housing units averaged of 473.2 per square mile (182.6/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 78.04% White, 0.23% African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 16.20% from other races, and 3.53% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 56.96% of the population.

Of the 3,035 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were not families. About 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was distributed as 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,028, and for a family was $31,762. Males had a median income of $24,946 versus $18,433 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,223. About 14.8% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

In the United States Census of 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/ratoncitynewmexico |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2019-01-22 |title=QuickFacts Raton, New Mexico}}</ref> the population of Raton had dropped to 6,885, and was estimated to have dropped to 6,066 by July 1, 2018.

In the United States Census of 2020,<ref name="Raton city, New Mexico 2020 Census Data">{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US3562060|access-date=November 25, 2021|title=Raton city, New Mexico}}</ref> the population of Raton had dropped to 6,041.

==Parks and recreation==
Run to Raton, a motorcycle rally that includes camp-outs, vendors, free music, and a pin-up contest, takes place every July.

Raton was the site of New Mexico's first horse racetrack, [[La Mesa Park]], which closed in 1992.

Raton hosts the International Balloon Rally, a hot-air balloon gathering, held on the Fourth of July weekend.

==Infrastructure==
[[Image:Ratontrain2.jpg|thumb|[[Amtrak]] station]]

===Transportation===
====Roads====
* [[Interstate 25 in New Mexico|I-25]]
* [[U.S. Route 64 in New Mexico|US 64]]
* [[U.S. Route 87#New Mexico|US 87]]

====Rail====
* [[Raton (Amtrak station)|Raton Amtrak Station]] is a stop on the ''[[Southwest Chief]]'' route.

====Air====
* [[Raton Municipal Airport]]

==Notable people==
* [[Tom W. Blackburn]], writer who also wrote the lyrics to "[[The Ballad of Davy Crockett]]"
* [[Edwin Fullinwider]], Olympic fencer
* [[Noel Mazzone]], former [[offensive coordinator]] for the University of Arizona football team, current offensive coordinator for New Orleans Breakers of the new USFL
* [[Paul L. Modrich]] received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015
* [[John Morrow (New Mexico politician)|John Morrow]], [[United States Representative]] from New Mexico
* [[John R. Sinnock]], [[United States Mint]] engraver known for work on the FDR dime
* [[Petro Vlahos]], three-time [[Academy Award]]-winning [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] special-effects pioneer
* [[Robert W. Warren]], [[attorney general of Wisconsin]]
* [[Bennie L. Woolley, Jr.]], racehorse trainer who won the 2009 [[Kentucky Derby]]
* [[The Fireballs]], a rock and roll group who sang "[[Bottle of Wine]]", originated in Raton.

==See also==
* [[Folsom Falls]]
* [[Maxwell Land Grant]]
* [[National Old Trails Road]]
* [[Raton Downtown Historic District]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{cite book |last=Conway |first= Jay T. |title= - A brief community history of Raton, New Mexico, 1880-1930: Commemorating Her Fiftieth Birthday|publisher= Gazette Print |year= 1930|location= - Raton, New Mexico |oclc= 21705239}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Raton}}
* {{Official website|http://www.ratonnm.gov|City of Raton official website}}
* [http://www.raton.info/ Raton Chamber and Economic Development Council]
* {{Cite EB1911|short=x|wstitle=Raton}}

{{Colfax County, New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico county seats}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Raton, New Mexico| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Colfax County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Cities in New Mexico]]
[[Category:County seats in New Mexico]]