Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Rio Arriba County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 40,246.[1] Its county seat is Tierra Amarilla.[2] Its northern border is the Colorado state line.

Rio Arriba County
U.S. county
Rio Arriba County Courthouse, Isaac Rapp, architect, 1916-17
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°31′N 106°42′W
Country United States
State New Mexico
Founded1852
Named forlocation on the upper Rio Grande (río arriba means "upriver" in Spanish)
SeatTierra Amarilla
Largest cityEspañola
Area
 • Total5,896 sq mi (15,270 km2)
 • Land5,861 sq mi (15,180 km2)
 • Water35 sq mi (90 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
38,921
 • Density6.9/sq mi (2.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.rio-arriba.org

Rio Arriba County comprises the Española, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM Combined Statistical Area.

History

The county was one of nine originally created for the Territory of New Mexico in 1852. Originally extending west to the California line, it included the site of present-day Las Vegas, Nevada.[3] The county seat was initially sited at San Pedro de Chamita, and shortly afterwards at Los Luceros. In 1860 the seat was moved to Plaza del Alcalde. Since 1880 Tierra Amarilla has been the county seat.[4]

The Battle of Embudo Pass took place in the southern part of the county during the Mexican-American war in January 1847.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,896 square miles (15,270 km2), of which 5,861 square miles (15,180 km2) are land and 35 square miles (91 km2) (0.6%) are water.[5] It is the fifth-largest county in New Mexico by area. The highest point in the county is the summit of Truchas Peak at 13,102 feet (3,993 m).

The county acquired its present proportions after the creation of San Juan County and other adjustments.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
191016,624—
192019,55217.6%
193021,3819.4%
194025,35218.6%
195024,997−1.4%
196024,193−3.2%
197025,1704.0%
198029,28216.3%
199034,36517.4%
200041,19019.9%
201040,246−2.3%
Est. 201938,921[6]−3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2016[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 41,190 people, 15,044 households, and 10,816 families living in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 18,016 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.62% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 13.88% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 25.62% from other races, and 3.28% from two or more races. 72.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,044 households out of which 36.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 15.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,429, and the median income for a family was $32,901. Males had a median income of $26,897 versus $22,223 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,263. About 16.60% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.30% of those under age 18 and 22.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 40,246 people, 15,768 households, and 10,477 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 6.9 inhabitants per square mile (2.7/km2). There were 19,638 housing units at an average density of 3.4 per square mile (1.3/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 51.6% white, 16.0% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 28.0% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 71.3% of the population.[12]

The largest ancestry groups were:[14]

  • 20.6% Mexican
  • 15.5% Spanish
  • 4.5% German
  • 3.2% English
  • 2.7% Irish
  • 1.7% French
  • 1.5% Navajo
  • 1.2% Scottish

Of the 15,768 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.6% were non-families, and 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 39.0 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,437 and the median income for a family was $47,840. Males had a median income of $39,757 versus $31,657 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,913. About 15.7% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics

From New Mexico's statehood to the early 1940s Rio Arriba was a traditional Republican county. That would later change and the county would become a Democratic stronghold from the 1960s to the present day. The last Republican Presidential candidate to carry the county was Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.[16] No Republican candidate for governor has won the county since at least 1966.[17]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 24.2% 3,599 64.5% 9,592 11.3% 1,687
2012 22.1% 3,397 74.7% 11,465 3.1% 481
2008 24.1% 4,086 75.0% 12,703 0.9% 151
2004 34.3% 5,149 65.0% 9,753 0.7% 97
2000 28.9% 3,495 67.5% 8,169 3.6% 433
1996 22.6% 2,551 70.5% 7,965 7.0% 789
1992 23.2% 2,680 67.9% 7,832 8.9% 1,030
1988 28.5% 3,024 70.6% 7,503 0.9% 99
1984 36.9% 4,116 62.3% 6,938 0.8% 92
1980 35.8% 3,794 59.0% 6,245 5.2% 552
1976 30.8% 3,213 68.2% 7,125 1.1% 111
1972 42.7% 4,351 55.3% 5,642 2.0% 202
1968 43.2% 3,935 52.7% 4,799 4.1% 368
1964 29.8% 2,906 69.6% 6,787 0.7% 64
1960 37.3% 3,716 62.7% 6,250 0.0% 3
1956 51.5% 4,566 48.4% 4,291 0.0% 3
1952 48.7% 4,336 51.3% 4,564 0.1% 5
1948 47.3% 4,273 52.6% 4,753 0.2% 17
1944 48.2% 3,532 51.8% 3,792 0.0% 3
1940 46.4% 4,289 53.6% 4,952 0.1% 6
1936 46.5% 4,093 53.3% 4,691 0.2% 18
1932 35.0% 2,880 64.9% 5,337 0.2% 12
1928 62.7% 4,109 37.3% 2,444 0.1% 4
1924 56.2% 3,707 41.5% 2,734 2.3% 150
1920 66.0% 3,986 34.0% 2,056
1916 56.6% 1,992 43.4% 1,528 0.0% 1
1912 58.3% 1,549 37.8% 1,004 4.0% 106

It is located in New Mexico's 3rd congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+7 and is represented by Democrat Ben R. Luján. In the New Mexico legislature it is represented by Representatives Christine Chandler (District 43), Susan Herrera (District 41), Derrick Lente (District 65), and Joseph Sanchez (District 40), and by Senators Richard C. Martinez (District 5), Carlos Cisneros (District 6), and Benny Shendo, Jr. (District 22).[19]

Current commissioners are:

District Name Party First elected Term ends
District 1Leo JaramilloDemocratic20182024
District 2James J. MartinezDemocratic20182022
District 3Danny GarciaDemocratic20122020


On Thursday, May 21, 2020, Rio Arriba Sheriff, James Lujan, was arrested and charged with two counts of obstructing an officer.[20] James Lujan was served a search warrant prior,[21] and after he refused to provide the password to his cell phone, which the warrant was for, he was arrested and charged. James Lujan had been served a search warrant in regard to an investigation where he had interfered with an arrest warrant being served on Phillip Chacon, an ex-Española City (a city within Rio Arriba) Councilman.[22] Phillip Chacon, previously a City Councilman for Española, a city within Rio Arriba, has three cases pending against him, two alleged felonies and one alleged misdemeanor.[23]

In May 2020, John Ramon Vigil, a City Councilman for Española, a city within Rio Arriba County, was charged with two counts of felony conspiracy and one count of felony unlawful interest in a public contract. Councilman John Ramon Vigil was accused of conspiring with the ex-Councilman Phillip Chacon to have the Planning and Zoning Director of the City of Española removed from their position.[24]

Education
Ghost Ranch rainbow

School districts

Rio Arriba County has 6 public school districts. Española Public Schools is the largest.

  • Chama Valley Independent Schools
  • Jemez Mountain Public Schools
  • Dulce Independent Schools
  • Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools
  • Espanola Public Schools
  • Peñasco Independent Schools

Colleges

Points of interest

Communities
Trick Rider, Rio Arriba Rodeo, 2013
Truchas Peaks in winter, viewed from Espanola

City

Town

Village

Census-designated places

Other communities

Ghost towns
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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
  4. Twitchell, Ralph Emerson (1911–1917). The leading facts of New Mexican history. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Torch Press. pp. 538–539. OCLC 3828708.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "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.
  13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  14. "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.
  15. "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.
  16. "Presidential election of 1956 - Map by counties". geoelections.free.fr. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  17. "Gubernatorial General Election Map Comparison New Mexico". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  19. "Districts - New Mexico Legislature". www.nmlegis.gov. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  20. O'NEILL, MAIRE (May 22, 2020). LOS ALAMOS REPORTER https://losalamosreporter.com/2020/05/22/rio-arriba-county-sheriff-appears-in-magistrate-court-on-latest-charges/. Retrieved May 25, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. O'NEIL, NATHAN (May 18, 2020). KOB 4 https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/lapel-video-rio-arriba-sheriff-served-search-warrants-accused-of-interfering-with-investigations/5734158/. Retrieved May 25, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. LAND, KYLE (May 21, 2020). "JOURNAL STAFF WRITER". ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  23. TRAPP, ROBERT (May 22, 2020). "SUN PUBLISHER". RIO GRANDE SUN. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  24. MARTINEZ, AMANDA (May 14, 2020). SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/espa-ola-city-councilor-faces-conspiracy-charges/article_3593bcfc-93b2-11ea-a9ce-8386730745b3.html. Retrieved May 25, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)

Further reading
  • Dethier, D.P. (2004). Geologic map of the Puye quadrangle, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, and Santa Fe Counties, New Mexico [Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-2419)]. Reston, Va.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
  • Maldonado, F. (2008). Geologic map of the Abiquiu quadrangle, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico [Scientific Investigations Map 2998]. Reston, Va.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.

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