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Los Alamos County, New Mexico

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Los Alamos County (English: "The Poplars" or "Cottonwoods"; Spanish: Condado de Los Álamos) is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,419.[1] The smallest county by area in the state, Los Alamos County was formerly administered exclusively by the U.S. federal government during the Manhattan Project, but it now has equal status to New Mexico's other counties. The county has two census-designated places: Los Alamos and White Rock.[2]

Los Alamos County
County
Ashley Pond Park in Los Alamos, New Mexico
Ashley Pond Park in Los Alamos, New Mexico
Flag of Los Alamos County
Flag
Official logo of Los Alamos County
Logo
Map of New Mexico highlighting Los Alamos 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°52′N 106°19′W / 35.87°N 106.31°W / 35.87; -106.31
Country United States
State New Mexico
Founded1949
SeatLos Alamos
Largest communityLos Alamos
Area
 • Land109 sq mi (280 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.2 km2)  0.08%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total19,419
 • Density178/sq mi (69/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.losalamosnm.us

Los Alamos County comprises the Los Alamos Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Los Alamos combined statistical area.

The county is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos County is noted for having the lowest level of child poverty of any county in the United States.[3]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 109 square miles (280 km2), of which 109 square miles (280 km2) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) (0.08%) is water.[4] It is the smallest county by area in New Mexico. There is no significant open water in the county. The county's highest point is located along its northern border, near the summit of Caballo Mountain, at 10,480 feet (3,190 m) above sea level.

Adjacent counties

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Pueblos with adjacent territories

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
195010,476—
196013,03724.4%
197015,19816.6%
198017,59915.8%
199018,1152.9%
200018,3431.3%
201017,950−2.1%
202019,4198.2%
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] there were 18,343 people, 7,497 households, and 5,337 families living in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile (65 people/km2). There were 7,937 housing units at an average density of 73 units per square mile (28/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.3% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 3.8% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. 11.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,497 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $78,993, and the median income for a family was $90,032. Males had a median income of $70,063 versus $40,246 for females. The per capita income for the county was $34,646. 2.9% of the population and 1.9% of families were below the poverty line. 1.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 17,950 people, 7,663 households, and 5,199 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 164.4 inhabitants per square mile (63.5/km2). There were 8,354 housing units at an average density of 76.5 units per square mile (29.5 units/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 87.8% white, 6.0% Asian, 0.8% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 18.9% were German, 16.5% were English, 13.2% were Irish, and 6.5% were American.[13]

Of the 7,663 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.2% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 44.3 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $103,643 and the median income for a family was $118,993. Males had a median income of $93,040 versus $51,753 for females. The per capita income for the county was $49,474. About 1.4% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Government

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County council

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The county council was created by the Los Alamos County Charter. The council consists of seven members elected at large for four-year, staggered terms. Each year the seven councilors select the new chair and vice chair.[15]

Position Name Party reg.
County Councilor, Chair Denise Derkacs Democrat
County Councilor, Vice Chair Theresa Cull Democrat
County Councilor, At-large Randall Ryti Democrat
County Councilor, At–large David Reagor Republican
County Councilor, At–large Melanee Hand Democrat
County Councilor, At–large Keith Lepsch Democrat
County Councilor, At–large Suzie Havemann Democrat

County offices

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Name Position Party reg.
County Assessor George Chandler Democrat
County Clerk Naomi Maestas Democrat[16]
Municipal Judge Elizabeth K. Allen Democrat
Probate Judge Perry Klare Democrat
Sheriff Jason Wardlow Herrera Democrat

Quality of life

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In a study conducted by American City Business Journals in 2004, Los Alamos County topped the list as the best place to live in the United States in terms of quality of life. This was attributed to the high levels of job stability, income and education of Los Alamos residents, many of whom are employed as scientists and engineers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The county has one of the highest number of PhDs per capita and the 2011 median household income of $110,204 per year is the second highest among all the counties in the U.S. In per capita income, Los Alamos County ranks 1st in New Mexico and 7th in the United States, and has the second-lowest level of poverty in the United States, and the lowest level of child poverty.[3] Other factors contributing to Los Alamos's high quality-of-life index were the access to affordable housing and short commuting times.

In 2021, Los Alamos County was judged by the U.S. News & World Report to be the healthiest of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents of the United States based on 84 different factors. Residents of the county lived 83.4 years on the average compared to the U.S. average of 77.5 years.[17]

Communities

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Education

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All of the county is in the boundary of Los Alamos Public Schools.[18] Los Alamos High School is the comprehensive high school.

Energy

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Current energy resources

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Starting in 1985, Los Alamos County, including both the White Rock and Los Alamos communities, has shared energy resources with the Los Alamos National Laboratory.[19]

Resource Breakdown[20]
Resource Type Amount (MW)
Power Purchase Agreement Mixed 45
LANL Combustion Turbine Gas 25
Abiquiu Hydroelectric Hydro 17
Laramie River Station Coal 10
Western Area Power Adm. Hydro 10
El Vado Hydroelectric Hydro 9
East Jemez Photovoltaic Solar 1
Purchased Power Contracts Variable —
Transmission Arrangements Variable —

Future energy resources

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Both Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos National Laboratory are trying to reduce their respective carbon emissions[19] in order to help mitigate the continually worsening dangers of climate change.[21] In 2015, Los Alamos County joined with the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems in the Carbon Free Power Project.[22] The Project planned to use NuScale Power’s Small Module Reactor design to provide nuclear energy to counties across the United States, but was cancelled in 2023 because of cost increases.[23] Los Alamos’ history is tied to nuclear energy, which has an environmental impact comparable to that of renewables as a source of domestic power.[24] This is true of both large and small module reactors.[25]

Politics

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Formerly solidly Republican, Los Alamos County has voted Democratic in the four most recent presidential elections. It has seen high percentages of third-party votes in years with major third-party candidates, such as with John B. Anderson in 1980, Ross Perot in 1992 and 1996, and Gary Johnson in 2012 and 2016. Los Alamos County had the highest percentage of support for Gary Johnson in New Mexico in the 2016 election, at 13.89% (a total of 1,512 votes out of 10,885 cast).[26]

United States presidential election results for Los Alamos County, New Mexico[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,278 34.80% 7,554 61.45% 461 3.75%
2016 3,359 30.86% 5,562 51.10% 1,964 18.04%
2012 4,796 45.02% 5,191 48.72% 667 6.26%
2008 5,064 45.75% 5,824 52.62% 181 1.64%
2004 5,810 51.89% 5,206 46.49% 181 1.62%
2000 5,623 55.03% 4,149 40.60% 446 4.36%
1996 4,999 50.33% 3,983 40.10% 950 9.57%
1992 4,320 40.59% 3,897 36.62% 2,425 22.79%
1988 6,622 65.22% 3,275 32.26% 256 2.52%
1984 6,882 69.60% 2,859 28.91% 147 1.49%
1980 5,460 58.19% 2,368 25.24% 1,555 16.57%
1976 5,383 64.43% 2,890 34.59% 82 0.98%
1972 5,039 66.09% 2,435 31.94% 150 1.97%
1968 3,447 54.92% 2,552 40.66% 277 4.41%
1964 1,895 33.32% 3,767 66.23% 26 0.46%
1960 2,574 48.72% 2,692 50.96% 17 0.32%
1956 2,406 51.98% 2,214 47.83% 9 0.19%
1952 2,226 49.30% 2,281 50.52% 8 0.18%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Los Alamos County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Table 1: 2011 Poverty and Median Income Estimates – Counties". Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. 2011. Archived from the original on October 10, 2013.
  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 8, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 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. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 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. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "Los Alamos County Council". Los Alamos County Official County Web Site. losalamosnm.us. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  16. ^ "County Clerk Naomi Maestas Announces Bid for Re-Election, Changes Registration to Democrat". losalamosreporter.com. June 8, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  17. ^ "Healthiest communities ranking 2021". Us News and World Report. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Los Alamos County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022. - Text list
  19. ^ a b FTI Consulting. 2022. Los Alamos County 2022 Integrated Resource Plan. https://www.losalamosnm.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18708571. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  20. ^ "Energy Resources". www.losalamosnm.us. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  21. ^ Cissé, G., R. McLeman, H. Adams, P. Aldunce, K. Bowen, D. Campbell-Lendrum, S. Clayton, K.L. Ebi, J. Hess, C. Huang, Q. Liu, G. McGregor, J. Semenza, and M.C. Tirado, 2022: Health, Wellbeing, and the Changing Structure of Communities. In: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1041–1170, doi:10.1017/9781009325844.009. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  22. ^ "Council OKs DPU's Participation In Carbon Free Power Project Study Phase Siting Agreement". ladailypost.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  23. ^ Bright, Zach (November 9, 2023). "NuScale cancels first-of-a-kind nuclear project as costs surge". E&E News. POLITICO. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  24. ^ Leray, S. (2022). Cifarelli, L.; Romanelli, F. (eds.). "Nuclear energy basics". EPJ Web of Conferences. 268: 00008. doi:10.1051/epjconf/202226800008. ISSN 2100-014X.
  25. ^ Kim, T.; Boing, L.; Halsey, B; Dixon, B. (November 18, 2022). "Nuclear Waste Attributes of SMRs Scheduled for Near-Term Deployment". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  26. ^ "OFFICIAL RESULTS 2016 General - November 8, 2016". electionresults.sos.state.nm.us. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.[title missing]
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
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35°52′N 106°19′W / 35.87°N 106.31°W / 35.87; -106.31

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