Luna County, New Mexico

{{Short description|County in New Mexico, United States}} {{About|Luna County|the community|Luna, New Mexico}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Luna County | state = New Mexico | seal = | founded year = 1901 | founded date = March 16 | seat wl = Deming | largest city wl = Deming | area_total_sq_mi = 2965 | area_land_sq_mi = 2965 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.2 | area percentage = 0.0% | census yr = 2020 | pop = 25427 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 25407 {{loss}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = lunacountynm.us | ex image = Luna County New Mexico Court House.jpg | ex image cap = Luna County Courthouse in Deming | district = 2nd | time zone = Mountain | named for = Solomon Luna }}

'''Luna County''' (Spanish: {{lang|es|Condado de Luna}}) is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,427.<ref>{{cite web|title=Luna County, New Mexico |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Luna_County,_New_Mexico?g=050XX00US35029|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref> Its county seat is Deming.<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> This county abuts the Mexican border. Luna County comprises the Deming, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area.

==History== Luna County was formed from parts of Grant County and Doña Ana County by the New Mexico Legislature on March 16, 1901. It was named for Solomon Luna, a politician who advocated for independence of the county, following a strong rivalry between the cities of Deming and Silver City, both of which were at the time in Grant County.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://demingchamber.net/history/ |website=Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce |access-date=September 16, 2021}}</ref>

Before dawn on March 16, 1916, Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa led several hundred of his rebel soldiers across the Mexican border into the village of Columbus in the southern part of the county. The invaders raided and burned much of the town, causing many residents to flee to the desert. Although the raid took the town by surprise, it also awakened 350 United States Army soldiers stationed at Camp Furlong at the edge of town. These soldiers defended Columbus with two machine guns. The fighting continued until dawn, when Villa fled back across the Mexican border, five hours after the initial invasion and approximately ninety minutes after attacking the town. Despite the U.S. Army's subsequent "Mexican Expedition" into Mexico, Villa was never captured. The United States' involvement in World War I soon diverted attention away from the pursuit of Villa. He was assassinated seven years later. The raid resulted in the deaths of eighteen Columbus residents and U.S. soldiers, while approximately seventy-five of Villa's soldiers were killed.

In 1917, striking copper miners from Bisbee, Arizona were forcibly deported to this county.

Construction of an improved barrier on the border with Mexico was expedited in 2019 with waivers of environmental and other laws. The waivers are for 27 laws, including protection of endangered species, archaeological sites, and historic places.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/1307848/homeland-security-expedites-border-wall-project.html|title=Homeland Security expedites border wall project|last=Kocherga|first=Angela|date=April 28, 2019|website=Albuquerque Journal|language=en-US|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref>

Today, Pancho Villa State Park is located in the village of Columbus. It features cacti and the ruins of "the U.S. Army's first greaserack".

==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|2965|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> The bulk of the county is flat lowland, either grassland or desert scrub, but it also contains three mountain ranges: Cooke's Range in the north, the Florida Mountains on the southeastern side of Deming near the center of the county, and the Tres Hermanas Mountains in the southern part of the county near Columbus.

===Adjacent counties and municipality=== * Sierra County – northeast * Doña Ana County – east * Grant County – west * Hidalgo County – west * Ascensión, Chihuahua, Mexico – south

===Major highways=== * {{jct|state=NM|I|10}} * {{jct|state=NM|BL|10|dab1=Deming}} * {{jct|state=NM|US|70}} * {{jct|state=NM|US|180}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|9}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|11}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|26}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|27}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|61}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|141}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|143}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|148}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|198}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|331}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|332}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|377}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|394}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|418}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|495}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|497}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|517}} * {{jct|state=NM|NM|549}}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1910= 3913 |1920= 12270 |1930= 6247 |1940= 6457 |1950= 8753 |1960= 9839 |1970= 11706 |1980= 15585 |1990= 18110 |2000= 25016 |2010= 25095 |2020= 25427 |estyear=2025 |estimate=25407 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 10, 2026}}</ref> {{loss}} |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> 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> 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/35/35029.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 29, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606230127/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35029.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}</ref> | align = right }}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 25,427. The median age was 39.8 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.5 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A029&in=state%3A35|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 19, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Luna County, New Mexico – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Luna County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?q=P004:+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO,+AND+NOT+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO+BY+RACE+[73]&g=050XX00US35029|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 4, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Luna County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=050XX00US35029|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 4, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Luna County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=050XX00US35029|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 4, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |White alone (NH) |9,921 |8,997 |style='background: #ffffe6; |7,671 |39.66% |35.85% |style='background: #ffffe6; |30.17% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |183 |189 |style='background: #ffffe6; |228 |0.73% |0.75% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.90% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |156 |144 |style='background: #ffffe6; |143 |0.62% |0.57% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.56% |- |Asian alone (NH) |78 |112 |style='background: #ffffe6; |160 |0.31% |0.45% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.63% |- |Pacific Islander alone (NH) |1 |2 |style='background: #ffffe6; |12 |0.00% |0.01% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05% |- |Other race alone (NH) |29 |33 |style='background: #ffffe6; |50 |0.12% |0.13% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.20% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |213 |195 |style='background: #ffffe6; |493 |0.85% |0.78% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.94% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |14,435 |15,423 |style='background: #ffffe6; |16,670 |57.70% |61.46% |style='background: #ffffe6; |65.56% |- |'''Total''' |'''25,016''' |'''25,095''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''25,427''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

The racial makeup of the county was 50.3% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 1.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 21.5% from some other race, and 24.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 65.6% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A029&in=state%3A35|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 19, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

58.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 41.3% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A029&in=state%3A35|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 19, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 9,822 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 29.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 11,508 housing units, of which 14.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.5% were owner-occupied and 32.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.0%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 census, there were 25,095 people, 9,593 households, and 6,484 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35029 |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/20200213014133/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35029 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|8.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 10,999 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35029 |access-date=January 24, 2016 |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213191014/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35029 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 77.7% white, 1.3% American Indian, 1.1% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 16.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 61.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 9.7% were German, 7.4% were English, 7.3% were Irish, and 2.4% were American.<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35029 |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/20200213012854/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35029 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Of the 9,593 households, 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age was 39.5 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $27,997 and the median income for a family was $33,312. Males had a median income of $31,905 versus $19,865 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,687. About 26.2% of families and 32.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.2% of those under age 18 and 20.3% 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/DP03/0500000US35029 |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |access-date=January 24, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023955/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35029 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2000 census=== As of the 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 25,016 people, 9,397 households, and 6,596 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 11,291 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 74.30% White, 0.94% Black or African American, 1.11% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 20.23% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 57.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,397 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 30.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $20,784, and the median income for a family was $24,252. Males had a median income of $25,008 versus $16,883 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,218. About 27.20% of families and 32.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.80% of those under age 18 and 15.80% of those age 65 or over. ==Education== Residents in all parts of the county are zoned to Deming Public Schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35029_luna/DC20SD_C35029.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628163201/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35029_luna/DC20SD_C35029.pdf |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Luna County, NM|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=June 28, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35029_luna/DC20SD_C35029_SD2MS.txt See text list]</ref>

==Communities==

===City=== * Deming (county seat)

===Village=== * Columbus

===Census-designated places=== {{div col}} * City of the Sun * Keeler Farm * La Hacienda * Mountain View * Old Town * Pecan Park * Pulpotio Bareas * Sunshine * Ventura {{div col end}}

===Ghost towns=== * Gage * Mimbres * Mowry City * Myndus * Nutt * Ojo de Vaca Station

==Politics== Luna County is a Republican-leaning county in presidential elections. However, it has voted for Democrats 3 times since 1964. {{PresHead|place=Luna 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|1912|Democratic|81|461|277|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|418|796|49|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|834|1,000|34|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|709|596|333|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|860|647|7|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|641|1,605|40|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|806|1,500|61|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,066|1,388|6|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,074|1,383|2|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|941|1,629|14|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,729|1,332|34|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,526|1,506|35|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,583|1,708|15|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,665|2,286|18|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,952|1,438|506|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,958|1,560|159|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,966|2,872|65|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,636|2,443|267|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,145|2,557|74|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,415|3,066|155|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,166|2,637|1,469|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,616|3,001|709|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,395|2,975|242|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,164|3,340|89|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|3,870|4,311|159|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,670|3,583|247|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,478|3,195|622|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,408|3,563|132|New Mexico}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,698|3,176|182|New Mexico}} {{PresFoot}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [http://lunacountynm.us/ Luna County website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140719220950/http://web.nmsu.edu/~publhist/colhist.htm Pancho Villa raid]

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Luna County, New Mexico |North = |Northeast = Sierra County |East = Doña Ana County |Southeast = |South = Ascensión Municipality, Chihuahua {{flagicon|Mexico}} |Southwest = |West = Grant County and Hidalgo County |Northwest = }} {{Luna County, New Mexico}} {{New Mexico}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|32.18|-107.75|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NM_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Luna County, New Mexico Category:1901 establishments in New Mexico Territory Category:Populated places established in 1901