Taos County, New Mexico Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Taos County

U.S. county

Taos Mountain from El Prado

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico

New Mexico's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

New Mexico

Founded

January 9, 1852

Seat

Taos

Largest town

Taos

Area

• Total

2,204 sq mi (5,710 km²)

• Land

2,203 sq mi (5,710 km²)

• Water

1.3 sq mi (3 km²) 0.06%%

Population

• Estimate

(2019)

32,723

• Density

15/sq mi (6/km²)

Time zone

UTC−7 (Mountain)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−6 (MDT)

Congressional district

3rd

Taos County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,937. Its county seat is Taos. The county was formed in 1852 as one of the original nine counties in New Mexico Territory.

Taos County comprises the Taos, New Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
- Adjacent counties
- National protected area
Demographics
- 2010 census
Communities
Images for kids
See also

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,204 square miles (5,710 km²), of which 2,203 square miles (5,710 km²) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) (0.06%) is water.

The county's highest point is the summit of Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet (4,011 m). This is also the highest natural point in New Mexico. The county has the highest mean elevation of any U.S. county outside of Colorado, even though it ranks only 22nd overall. Taos County contains 17 of New Mexico's highest 25 peaks.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Carson National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1910	12,008	—
1920	12,773	6.4%
1930	14,394	12.7%
1940	18,528	28.7%
1950	17,146	−7.5%
1960	15,934	−7.1%
1970	17,516	9.9%
1980	19,456	11.1%
1990	23,118	18.8%
2000	29,979	29.7%
2010	32,937	9.9%
2019 (est.)	32,723	−0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2016

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 32,937 people, 14,806 households, and 8,437 families living in the county. The population density was 15.0 inhabitants per square mile (5.8/km²). There were 20,265 housing units at an average density of 9.2 per square mile (3.6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.7% white, 6.2% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 19.1% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 55.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 10.8% were English, 10.3% were German, 9.0% were Irish, and 1.2% were American.

Of the 14,806 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 43.0% were non-families, and 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,441 and the median income for a family was $43,236. Males had a median income of $34,245 versus $28,325 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,145. About 14.5% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.