Las Cruces is a city located in southern New Mexico, approximately 45 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas. As of the 2020 census, Las Cruces had a population of 102,926 residents, making it the second largest city in New Mexico after Albuquerque.
Population and Demographics
The population of Las Cruces has grown steadily over the past few decades. In 1990, the population was 62,126 and by 2000 it had grown to 74,267 residents. The past two census counts show the population increasing to 97,618 in 2010 and 102,926 in 2020, reflecting a growth rate of over 5% in that time period. Las Cruces is currently the tenth fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States.
The racial makeup of Las Cruces is predominantly Hispanic or Latino, accounting for 54% of the population as of the 2020 census. Non-Hispanic whites make up 34% of residents. Other racial groups represented include Native Americans (2%), African Americans (2.5%), Asians (1.2%), and those identifying as two or more races (5%).
The median age in Las Cruces is 32.7 years old. 22% of the population is under age 18 and 13.5% is over age 65. There is a nearly equal split in gender with 49.8% of residents being female and 50.2% being male.
Over 94% of households in Las Cruces speak English at home, while nearly 36% speak Spanish. About 85% of residents over age 25 have a high school diploma or higher level of education. And 26% hold a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree, which is on par with national averages.
To learn more demographic details, visit the Las Cruces Wikipedia page.
Economy and Major Employers
Las Cruces has a diverse economy anchored by agriculture, space, defense, manufacturing, tourism, education and government. New Mexico State University is the largest employer in the Las Cruces area with over 3,500 employees. Major private sector employers include Memorial Medical Center, Walmart, MountainView Regional Medical Center, Doña Ana County, El Paso Electric, Las Cruces Public Schools, and White Sands Missile Range.
Agriculture plays a significant role, as Las Cruces is near the fertile Mesilla Valley. Crops produced in the area include cotton, pecans, onions, chili peppers, and more. Food processing, dairy products, and cattle feedlots represent the major agricultural industries.
Tourism centered around outdoor recreation is also an important component of the economy. Popular attractions like the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, the historic town of Mesilla, and White Sands National Park draw visitors from around the region and country.
Learn more about the Las Cruces economy and employers from the Las Cruces Economic Development Council.
Weather and Geography
Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces has a sunny, mild, dry climate year-round. Winters are short and mild with afternoon highs around 60°F and nighttime lows around 35°F. Snow is rare. Summers are hot with temperatures above 90°F from May to September. The rainy season runs from July to September which brings much of the area’s annual rainfall of 8 to 10 inches.
The Organ Mountains overlook Las Cruces to the east. The Rio Grande runs north of the city. Elevations range from 3,900 feet in the valley to over 9,000 feet in the surrounding Organ Mountain peaks. The diverse geography provides scenic beauty and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor recreation.
History and Culture
Las Cruces was founded in 1849 when the US Army built Fort Fillmore nearby. It was initially named “Las Cruces” (Spanish for “the crosses”) due to the presence of crosses marking graves at the nearby village of La Mesilla. Las Cruces later became a farming community and was formally established in 1907.
Rich traditions and culture stem from the area’s Native American and Spanish colonial roots. Historic attractions include the Branigan Cultural Center and the Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña, more commonly called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. There are also several museums and art galleries. Festivals celebrating local food, culture, and agriculture take place throughout the year.
For more on the history and culture of Las Cruces, visit the City of Las Cruces website.
Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is a popular activity with the mild year-round climate. Hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and camping can be enjoyed in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. White Sands National Park offers hiking, sledding down the white gypsum dunes, and scenic drives. And the Mesilla Valley is popular for golfing and hot air ballooning.
For family fun, Las Cruces has several museums, a nature center, public parks, and seasonal festivals and events. Retail shopping and dining are found in the historic downtown mall, as well as major shopping centers. Las Cruces is home to the New Mexico State Fair and the popular farmers’ market held year-round.
Spectator sports are popular in Las Cruces, with New Mexico State University teams competing in Division I NCAA athletics. The Las Cruces Vaqueros minor league baseball team plays at the city-owned baseball stadium. And auto racing takes place at the Las Cruces Speedway.
See the Las Cruces CVB site for more details on things to do, events, and attractions in the area.
Real Estate
The housing market in Las Cruces consists primarily of single-family homes, with some townhomes, condominiums and apartments available. As of July 2022, the median listing price for a home was $249,450, which is up 14% over the past year but still very affordable compared to national averages. Home styles include traditional adobe, Territorial Revival, Spanish Colonial, and contemporary designs.
New construction is underway in many neighborhoods to meet demand from the growing population. Las Cruces home buyers can take advantage of the sunny climate and cultural amenities while enjoying a reasonable cost of living.
Learn more about the Las Cruces real estate market on Realtor.com.
Education
Las Cruces Public Schools serve over 24,000 students across 32 schools, including 18 elementary schools, 6 middle schools and 4 high schools. Students consistently score above state averages on standardized tests. The district has won national awards for excellence and innovations in education.
Higher education centers around New Mexico State University (NMSU), a land grant institution and the state’s second largest university. NMSU offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs across a full range of studies. Students come from across New Mexico, the US and over 70 countries. NMSU is noted for astronomy, agriculture, engineering, education, business and nursing programs.
Las Cruces also has a branch campus of Doña Ana Community College, a satellite campus of the University of New Mexico, and a number of private colleges and technical schools.
Healthcare
Las Cruces has one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the region. Memorial Medical Center is the city’s largest hospital with over 300 beds, Level II trauma center, neonatal intensive care and specialty facilities. MountainView Regional Medical Center provides emergency care, surgical services, maternity and heart & vascular services. Several private practices and clinics are located throughout Las Cruces as well.
The city’s location near the US-Mexico border and warm climate also make it popular for retirees. Las Cruces has a dozen nursing homes, assisted living communities and long-term care facilities to serve senior residents.
Learn more about Las Cruces healthcare providers at the HealthInsight New Mexico site.
Transportation
Interstate 10 and Interstate 25 serve Las Cruces by road, with easy access to El Paso and southern New Mexico. Las Cruces International Airport offers regional jet service. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train stops in Las Cruces with service across northern New Mexico.
Within the city, Las Cruces Transit operates 18 bus routes Monday through Saturday. NMDOT Park and Ride offers commuter bus service. And RoadRUNNER Transit operates regional bus service to nearby communities.
The mild climate and flat terrain also make Las Cruces very bicycle-friendly. Bike lanes and trails allow cycling for recreation, commuting and errands.
Sports Teams
As home to New Mexico State University, Las Cruces provides an exciting sports atmosphere. The NMSU Aggies compete in NCAA Division I athletics in the Western Athletic Conference. Men’s sports include football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and golf. Women’s sports include basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, soccer, and more.
The Las Cruces Vaqueros are a professional baseball team in the Pecos League. Home games are played at the city-owned baseball stadium downtown. The Las Cruces Speedway hosts weekly races and special racing events.
Youth sports leagues provide baseball, softball, soccer, football and many other sports. Las Cruces has over 50 public parks and 40 tennis courts available for pick-up games and recreation as well.
Get info on Aggies athletics at NMStateSports.com. And see the schedules for the Vaqueros baseball team and Las Cruces Speedway.
Local Government
Las Cruces has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and six city councilors are elected to four-year terms. The council appoints a city manager to oversee daily operations and implement policies. Mayor Ken Miyagishima and the city councilors encourage resident participation through neighborhood associations and advisory boards.
The City of Las Cruces provides a full range of municipal services including police, fire, public utilities, transportation, parks & recreation, museums, and more. Ongoing initiatives aim to promote economic development, sustainability, tourism, and an improved quality of life for residents.
Learn more about Las Cruces city government on the official city website.
The City of Las Cruces maintains an active Facebook page to connect with residents. Page highlights include news updates, calendar of events, city jobs, contests, public notices, photos, and videos. The city’s Facebook page is an easy way to stay informed about what’s happening in the community.