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Las Cruces is a city located in Doña Ana County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. With an estimated population of 102,926 as of 2021, it is the second largest city in New Mexico after Albuquerque and the center of population of Doña Ana County.

History

The Las Cruces area was first settled by the Spanish in the late 16th century when it was colonized by Juan de Oñate. The Mesilla Valley became an important stop on the Camino Real, a trade route between Mexico City and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Las Cruces was founded in 1849 when New Mexico became a territory of the United States. It was named after the crosses left behind by the funeral procession for a Mexican priest.

Las Cruces saw battles during the American Civil War due to its location on the route between Texas and the west coast. It later became a key railroad junction connecting ports in Texas with the Pacific Coast. The New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, now New Mexico State University, was founded in Las Cruces in 1888. The city grew rapidly in the 20th century and is now known for its modern amenities, bilingual and multicultural heritage, and thriving economy.

Geography

Las Cruces is located at 32.3113° N, 106.7783° W in the Mesilla Valley along the Rio Grande river in southwestern New Mexico. It sits at an elevation of 3,908 feet above sea level. The Organ Mountains overlook the city to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 76.6 square miles. 75.9 square miles of it is land and 0.7 square miles is water. Las Cruces is located approximately 45 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas and 236 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Demographics

The 2021 census estimated the population of Las Cruces to be 102,926. This makes it the second most populous city in New Mexico after Albuquerque. The racial makeup of the city is:

• 75% White
• 3.3% Black or African American
• 2.4% Native American
• 1.7% Asian
• 0.1% Pacific Islander
• 4.4% Some other race
• 13% Two or more races
• 59.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race

There are 38,543 households in Las Cruces with an average household size of 2.44 people. The median age is 32.7 years old. The gender makeup is 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

Economy

Major employers in Las Cruces include New Mexico State University, Las Cruces Public Schools, the City of Las Cruces, Memorial Medical Center, Walmart, Doña Ana County, White Sands Missile Range, NASA, and El Paso Electric. The median household income is $45,677.

Agriculture and food processing are important parts of the local economy. Pecans, cotton, chile peppers, onions, and dairy products are major crops grown in the area. Tourism also provides revenue from visitors attractions like the historic downtown, museums, and outdoor recreation.

For more details on the Las Cruces economy visit the Las Cruces Economic Development Council website.

Education

Public education in Las Cruces is provided by Las Cruces Public Schools. There are 25 elementary schools, six middle schools, and five high schools in the district educating over 25,000 students. Higher education is dominated by New Mexico State University, which has its main campus in Las Cruces.

School Districts

• Las Cruces Public Schools
• Gadsden Independent School District
• Hatch Valley Public Schools

Transportation

The major highways serving Las Cruces are Interstate 10, Interstate 25 and U.S. Route 70. Interstate 10 connects the city to Tucson, Phoenix, and Los Angeles to the west and El Paso to the east. Interstate 25 connects to Albuquerque and Santa Fe in the north. U.S. Route 70 runs east to west through Las Cruces.

Public transportation is provided by RoadRUNNER Transit. They operate 13 fixed bus routes in Las Cruces as well as paratransit service. The city also has a network of paved recreation trails for walking, running, and cycling.

The nearest commercial airport is El Paso International Airport located 48 miles east of Las Cruces.

Attractions & Landmarks

New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road tells the 300-year story of farming and ranching in New Mexico. Interactive exhibits feature vintage equipment, livestock, and recreated scenes. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Website: nmfarmandranchmuseum.org
Phone: 575-522-4100

White Sands National Park

White Sands National Parkprotects the world's largest gypsum sand dunefield. The 275 square miles of white dunes are a popular destination for hiking, sledding, and photography. The visitor center, located at 19955 Highway 70 West, is open daily.

Website: nps.gov/whsa
Phone: 575-479-6124

New Mexico State University

Founded in 1888, New Mexico State University is a public research university located at 1780 East University Avenue. Notable landmarks on the campus include the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Corbett Center Student Union, and Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Website: nmsu.edu
Phone: 575-646-0111

Downtown Las Cruces

Historic buildings along Main Street in downtown Las Cruces house shops, restaurants, museums, and art galleries. Notable sites include the Rio Grande Theatre, the Branigan Cultural Center, and the Museum of Nature & Science.

Las Cruces City Hall

The city hall building located at 700 N Main St houses the offices of the city government. It includes the City Manager's Office, City Clerk, and City Council Chambers.

County Information

Las Cruces is located in Doña Ana County. The county government website is donaanacounty.org. The county government center address is:

Doña Ana County Government Center
845 N. Motel Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88007
Phone: (575) 647-7100

Local Resources

• Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau - Official destination website
• City of Las Cruces - Official city government website
• Las Cruces Sun News - Local newspaper
• Las Cruces Country Book - Event calendar and guide
• Las Cruces Public Library - Public library website
• City Museums of Las Cruces - Museums website

Sports

New Mexico State University's athletic teams, nicknamed the Aggies, compete in NCAA Division I sports. Popular teams include football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball. The Aggies football team plays at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

For more on NMSU athletics visit the official website.

Facebook

The city maintains an official Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfLasCruces with news and event updates.

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