Maxwell, New Mexico

Maxwell is a village in Colfax County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 254 at the 2010 census,[3] down from 274 at the 2000 census. Maxwell was established in 1879 as a railroad town on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was named in honor of Lucien Maxwell, who provided the land for the original townsite from his Maxwell Land Grant.

Maxwell, New Mexico
Village
Location of Maxwell, New Mexico
Maxwell, New Mexico Location in the United States
Coordinates: 36°32′22″N 104°32′33″W
Country	United States
State	New Mexico
County	Colfax
Area [1]
• Total	0.47 sq mi (1.23 km^2)
• Land	0.47 sq mi (1.23 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation	5,925 ft (1,806 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	254
• Estimate  (2019)[2]	212
• Density	447.26/sq mi (172.52/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	87728
Area code(s)	575
FIPS code	35-47080
GNIS feature ID	0891692

Geography

Maxwell is located near the center of Colfax County at 36°32′22″N 104°32′33″W (36.539487, -104.542630),[4] in the valley of the Canadian River. Interstate 25 passes through the east side of the village, with access from Exit 426. I-25 leads north 26 miles (42 km) to Raton, the Colfax County seat, and southwest 81 miles (130 km) to Las Vegas, New Mexico.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.47 square miles (1.23 km²), all of it land.[3]

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, located 2 miles (3 km) northwest of the village. The refuge offers excellent birding opportunities during the spring and fall migrations. It consists of several lakes, fields and woodlots managed for birds and the areas other wildlife.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	384		—
1930	439		14.3%
1940	483		10.0%
1950	404		−16.4%
1960	392		−3.0%
1970	393		0.3%
1980	316		−19.6%
1990	247		−21.8%
2000	274		10.9%
2010	254		−7.3%
Est. 2019	212	[2]	−16.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 274 people, 117 households, and 76 families residing in the village. The population density was 577.5 people per square mile (225.1/km²). There were 148 housing units at an average density of 311.9 per square mile (121.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.50% White, 4.01% Native American, 7.30% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 55.47% of the population.

There were 117 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% 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 2.91.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $28,750. Males had a median income of $22,083 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the village was $11,231. About 22.0% of families and 21.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 8.0% of those 65 or over.

1964 tornado

On May 29, 1964, an F3 tornado struck Maxwell and claimed one life, causing 8 injuries. 50 homes were destroyed.[7] It was one of only four F3 tornadoes in New Mexico history.[8]

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Maxwell village, New Mexico". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2009-05-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
8. http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com