Luna County is a county located in the southwestern corner of New Mexico. It is bordered by the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora, and covers an area of 4,457 square miles. As of the 2020 census, the population was estimated at 27,062 people. The county seat is Deming, with other large cities including Columbus and Palomas. See top counties in New Mexico.
The county was established in 1901 and named after Don Solon Luna, who was a prominent rancher in the area. It was originally part of neighboring Doña Ana County before it split off to form its own county.
The geography of Luna County is mostly desert terrain with mountains in the west and south. The Rio Grande flows through the county from north to south, creating an oasis for various wildlife species such as pronghorn antelope, mule deer, coyotes and other animals. It also provides water to irrigate crops such as cotton, alfalfa and chile peppers.
The economy of Luna County is mainly based on agriculture and tourism with some mining operations in the area as well. Agriculture includes livestock production such as cattle ranching as well as crop production like cotton and chile peppers. Tourism brings visitors to attractions like Rockhound State Park which offers camping and hiking opportunities or City of Rocks State Park which features rock climbing routes for all skill levels. Additionally, there are several festivals throughout the year including Las Cruces Country Music Festival or Hatch Chile Festival that draw people from all over New Mexico to experience local culture firsthand.
Luna County has something for everyone whether you’re looking to settle down or just visiting for a short time. With its beautiful scenery and friendly communities it’s no wonder why so many choose this place to call home.
History of Luna County, New Mexico
Luna County is a county located in the southwestern corner of New Mexico. Established in 1901, Luna County was named after Don Solon Luna, a prominent rancher in the area. It was originally part of neighboring Doña Ana County before it split off to form its own county.
The original inhabitants of Luna County were Native American tribes such as the Mescalero Apache and the Jumano people. In 1598, Spanish settlers arrived in the region and established missions and settlements. Over time, more settlers from Mexico and other parts of Europe arrived and began to settle on ranches throughout the area. By the mid-1800s, much of modern-day Luna County was populated by Mexican rancheros who had been granted land grants from Spain or Mexico.
With the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, ownership of much of what is now Luna County shifted from Mexico to the United States. The area was then organized into Dona Ana County before finally splitting off to form its own county in 1901 with Deming as its county seat.
In 1905, construction began on a rail line connecting El Paso with Phoenix which would later become known as The Sunset Limited train route. This line made it easier for people to travel between El Paso and other cities along its route including Deming which allowed for new businesses to start up around this time period.
In 1918, Camp Cody was established near Deming which served as an army base during World War I for training soldiers before they headed overseas to fight in Europe. After World War II ended in 1945, Camp Cody was re-purposed into an immigration station for German prisoners who were released from internment camps within New Mexico’s borders.
Today, Luna County is home to 27,062 people according to 2020 census estimates with Deming serving as its largest city followed by Columbus and Palomas. It is bordered by Chihuahua and Sonora in Mexico and covers 4457 square miles making it one of New Mexico’s largest counties geographically speaking.
Major cities and towns in Luna County, New Mexico
Deming is the largest city in Luna County, New Mexico and serves as its county seat. Located in the southern part of the state, Deming has a population of around 15,000 people and is known for its historic downtown area which is home to several popular restaurants, shops, and galleries. The city also has several museums including the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum which focuses on local history and culture.
The town of Columbus is located just north of Deming and is home to around 1,600 people. It was founded by Colonel Crawford in 1901 who named it after Christopher Columbus. It is known for its vibrant art scene with many galleries showcasing local artwork as well as a number of historic buildings from the early 20th century.
Palomas is a small town located just south of the border with Mexico with a population of around 1,300 people. It is known for its unique cultural blend between Mexican and American culture with many residents speaking both English and Spanish fluently. The town also hosts an annual fiesta every June which celebrates both cultures through music, dance, food, and more.
Hatch is a small town located east of Deming with a population of around 1,500 people. It was founded in 1885 by William Hatch who named it after himself. The town hosts an annual Chile Festival every September which celebrates Hatch’s unique green chile crop that has been grown there since the late 19th century.
Rodeo is another small town located north of Deming with a population of around 500 people. It was founded in 1912 by settlers from Texas who were looking to start their own settlement in New Mexico’s bootheel region. Today, Rodeo still retains much of its western charm with plenty of rodeos taking place throughout the year for visitors to enjoy.
San Lorenzo is a small rural community located southeast of Columbus with a population of around 400 people. It was founded in 1891 by settlers from Spain who were looking to create their own settlement away from other parts of New Mexico that had already been settled by other Europeans at this time period. Today, San Lorenzo remains largely rural but still retains much of its Spanish heritage through its architecture and cuisine.
Population in Luna County, New Mexico
According to Iamaccepted, Luna County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is bordered by Grant County to the north, Hidalgo County to the east, and Mexico to the south and west. The county has an estimated population of 25,890 people according to the 2019 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The majority of Luna County’s population is Hispanic or Latino, making up 81% of its total population. The second largest ethnic group is White with 11%, followed by American Indian with 4%. The remaining 4% are made up of other races such as Asian and African American.
The largest city in Luna County is Deming which has a population of 14,855 people according to 2019 estimates from the U.S Census Bureau. It also serves as the county seat and has a number of attractions for visitors such as art galleries, museums, historical sites, parks and recreational areas, restaurants and shopping centers. The city also hosts various cultural events throughout the year such as festivals and rodeos that attract visitors from all over New Mexico and beyond.
Columbus is another large city located within Luna County with a population of 1,606 people according to 2019 estimates from the U.S Census Bureau. It was founded by Colonel Crawford in 1901 who named it after Christopher Columbus and it’s known for its vibrant art scene with many galleries showcasing local artwork as well as a number of historic buildings from early 20th century America.
Palomas is much smaller than Deming or Columbus but still has a population of around 1,300 people according to 2019 estimates from U.S Census Bureau. It’s located just south of the border with Mexico and it’s known for its unique cultural blend between Mexican and American culture with many residents speaking both English and Spanish fluently.
Hatch is another small town located east of Deming with a population of around 1,500 people according to 2019 estimates from U.S census bureau. It was founded in 1885 by William Hatch who named it after himself and it hosts an annual Chile Festival every September which celebrates Hatch’s unique green chile crop that has been grown there since late 19th century.
Rodeo is yet another small town located north of Deming with an estimated population of 500 people according to 2019 estimates from the U.S census Bureau. It was founded in 1912 by settlers from Texas who were looking to start their own settlement in New Mexico’s Bootheel region which still retains much western charm today through rodeos taking place throughout the year for visitors to enjoy.
Last but not least San Lorenzo is a rural community located in southeast Columbus near the Mexican border with an estimated population of 400 people according to 2019 estimates from the US census bureau. It was founded in 1891 by settlers in Spain seeking to start their own settlement away from other parts of New Mexico already settled by Europeans during this time period. Today, San Lorenzo remains largely rural but still retains much Spanish heritage through its architecture and cuisine.