McKinley County, New Mexico

McKinley County is a county in the northwestern section of the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 72,902.[1] Its county seat is Gallup.[2] The county was created in 1901 and named for President William McKinley.[3] McKinley County is Gallup's micropolitan statistical area.

McKinley County
McKinley County Courthouse in Gallup
Map of New Mexico highlighting McKinley County
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
Map of the United States highlighting New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°35′N 108°16′W / 35.58°N 108.26°W / 35.58; -108.26
Country United States
State New Mexico
FoundedJanuary 1, 1901
Named forWilliam McKinley
SeatGallup
Largest cityGallup
Area
 • Total
5,455.5 sq mi (14,130 km2)
 • Land5,450 sq mi (14,100 km2)
 • Water5.5 sq mi (14 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
72,902 Increase
 • Density13/sq mi (5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 3rd
Websitewww.co.mckinley.nm.us

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,455 square miles (14,130 km2), of which 5.5 sq mi (14 km2) (0.1%) are covered by water.[4]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Census-designated places

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For purposes of census-data collection, organization and analysis, the United States Census Bureau has devised 44 census-designated places since 1980 within McKinley County.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
191012,963
192013,7315.9%
193020,64350.3%
194023,64114.5%
195027,45116.1%
196037,20935.5%
197043,20816.1%
198056,44930.6%
199060,6867.5%
200074,79823.3%
201071,492−4.4%
202072,9022.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010[9]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[10] 74,798 people, 21,476 households, and 16,686 families were living in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). The 26,718 housing units had an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.72% Native American, 16.39% White, 0.46% Asian, 0.40% African American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.47% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. About 12.40% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 21,476 households, 46.0% had children under 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were not families. About 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.44, and the average family size was 3.99.

In the county, the age distribution was 38.0% under 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.50 males. For every 100.0 females 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,005, and for a family was $26,806. Males had a median income of $26,963 versus $21,014 for females. The per capita income for the county was $9,872. About 31.9% of families and 36.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.3% of those under 18 and 31.5% of those 65 or over. The county's per capita income makes it one of the poorest counties in the United States.

McKinley County is one of only 38 county-level census divisions of the United States where the most spoken language is not English and one of only three where it is neither English nor Spanish; 45.75% of the population speak Navajo at home, followed by English at 38.87%, Zuñi at 9.03%, and Spanish at 5.72%.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, 71,492 people, 21,968 households, and 16,219 families resided in the county.[11] The population density was 13.1 inhabitants per square mile (5.1/km2). The 25,813 housing units had an average density of 4.7/sq mi (1.8/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 75.5% Native American, 15.2% White, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% Black or African American, 4.9% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.3% of the population.[11]

Of the 21,968 households, 46.2% had children under 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 24.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.2% were not families, and 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.22, and the average family size was 3.82. The median age was 30.7 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $31,335 and for a family was $37,345. Males had a median income of $31,527 versus $26,236 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,932. About 26.6% of families and 33.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.0% of those under 18 and 31.3% of those 65 or over.[13]

Communities

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City

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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Locally controlled public schools in most of McKinley County are run by Gallup-McKinley County Schools, the local school district, and include Crownpoint High School, Gallup Central High School, Gallup High School, Hiroshi Miyamura High School, Navajo Pine High School, Ramah Middle / High School, Thoreau High School, Tohatchi High School, and Tse Yi Gai High School.[14] Areas in and around the Zuni reservation are in the Zuni Public School District,[15] which operates Zuni High School.

Two Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) boarding schools are in the Fort Wingate area: Wingate Elementary School,[16] and Wingate High School. The BIE also operates a K-8 school, Pueblo Pintado Community School, in Pueblo Pintado,[17] and a K-6 school, Baca /Dlo'Ay Azhi Community School.[18] Additionally, a tribal school affiliated with the BIE, Ch'ooshgai Community School, is located in Tohatchi.[19]

Politics

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During its early history from 1912 to 1928, McKinley County voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election. From 1932 onward, the county, with its large Native American majority, has backed Democratic candidates in all but three presidential elections that were national landslides for the Republican Party.

United States presidential election results for McKinley County, New Mexico[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 9,363 36.20% 15,711 60.74% 792 3.06%
2020 7,801 29.45% 18,029 68.07% 656 2.48%
2016 5,104 23.52% 13,576 62.55% 3,023 13.93%
2012 5,546 25.29% 15,841 72.24% 542 2.47%
2008 6,382 27.50% 16,572 71.41% 253 1.09%
2004 7,351 35.64% 13,051 63.28% 221 1.07%
2000 5,070 31.93% 10,281 64.75% 528 3.33%
1996 4,470 28.79% 10,124 65.21% 932 6.00%
1992 4,720 30.39% 9,405 60.56% 1,406 9.05%
1988 5,694 36.81% 9,595 62.04% 178 1.15%
1984 6,557 44.78% 7,915 54.05% 171 1.17%
1980 7,329 56.66% 4,869 37.64% 736 5.69%
1976 4,617 39.83% 6,856 59.14% 120 1.04%
1972 5,366 49.74% 5,124 47.49% 299 2.77%
1968 4,376 45.71% 4,491 46.91% 706 7.37%
1964 2,965 29.65% 6,913 69.13% 122 1.22%
1960 4,262 43.08% 5,599 56.60% 32 0.32%
1956 4,450 56.97% 3,331 42.64% 30 0.38%
1952 3,091 49.80% 3,097 49.90% 19 0.31%
1948 2,109 40.96% 2,995 58.17% 45 0.87%
1944 1,547 41.14% 2,210 58.78% 3 0.08%
1940 1,701 40.19% 2,525 59.66% 6 0.14%
1936 1,404 35.60% 2,526 64.05% 14 0.35%
1932 1,373 39.35% 2,096 60.07% 20 0.57%
1928 2,075 62.22% 1,247 37.39% 13 0.39%
1924 1,653 51.24% 1,150 35.65% 423 13.11%
1920 1,525 60.02% 989 38.92% 27 1.06%
1916 669 54.57% 550 44.86% 7 0.57%
1912 264 36.07% 224 30.60% 244 33.33%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "McKinley County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "New Mexico: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries". New Mexico Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  13. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  14. ^ "Gallup-McKinley County Schools - High Schools". Gallup-McKinley County Schools. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: McKinley County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  16. ^ "Home". Wingate Elementary School. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  17. ^ "Pueblo Pintado Community School". Bureau of Indian Education. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Indian Education". BIE Schools Directory | Bureau of Indian Education. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  19. ^ "Ch'ooshgai Community School". Bureau of Indian Education. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.

35°35′N 108°16′W / 35.58°N 108.26°W / 35.58; -108.26