Harding County, New Mexico

Harding County
County
Mosquero post office
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°52′N103°49′W / 35.86°N 103.82°W / 35.86; -103.82
Country	United States
State	New Mexico
Founded	March 4, 1921
Named for	Warren G. Harding
Seat	Mosquero
Largest village	Roy
Area
• Total	2,126 sq mi (5,510 km2)
• Land	2,125 sq mi (5,500 km2)
• Water	0.4 sq mi (1 km2)  0.02%
Population  (2020)
• Total	657
• Density	0.31/sq mi (0.12/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	www.hardingcounty.org

Harding County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 657, ^[1] making it the least populous county in the state, and the 13th-smallest county by population in the United States. Its county seat is Mosquero. ^[2] The county is named for United States President Warren G. Harding, and was created (from parts of Union and Mora Counties) on the day of his inauguration as president on March 4, 1921, making him the most recent president to have a county in any state named after him. ^[3]

The only incorporated cities in Harding County are Roy and Mosquero.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,126 square miles (5,510 km²), of which 2,125 square miles (5,500 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) (0.02%) is water. ^[4] It is divided between a high, nearly treeless prairie to the northwest (the southern limit of the High Plains), and a lower semi-desert rangeland to the southeast, by the eastern portion of the steep Canadian Escarpment. The Canadian River, in a deep and narrow canyon, forms the western border with Mora County; the southwest border runs along the edge of the Bell Ranch land in San Miguel County. The eastern part of Harding County is underlain in part by the Bravo Dome carbon dioxide gas field, which is commercially extracted.

Adjacent counties

• Union County – northeast
• Quay County – southeast
• San Miguel County – south
• Mora County – west
• Colfax County – northwest

National protected area

• Kiowa National Grassland (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	4,421		—
1940	4,374		−1.1%
1950	3,013		−31.1%
1960	1,874		−37.8%
1970	1,348		−28.1%
1980	1,090		−19.1%
1990	987		−9.4%
2000	810		−17.9%
2010	695		−14.2%
2020	657		−5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790-1960 [6] 1900-1990 [7] 1990-2000 [8] 2010 [9]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, ^[10] there were 810 people, 371 households, and 231 families living in the county. The population density was 0.38 people per square mile (0.15 people/km²). There were 545 housing units at an average density of 0.26 units per square mile (0.10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.32% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 1.36% Native American, 10.62% from other races, and 3.33% from two or more races. 44.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 371 households, out of which 22.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.50% were non-families. 35.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.20% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 18.80% from 25 to 44, 28.10% from 45 to 64, and 28.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,111, and the median income for a family was $36,667. Males had a median income of $22,750 versus $15,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,240. About 12.90% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.30% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 695 people, 349 households, and 213 families living in the county. ^[11] The population density was 0.3 inhabitants per square mile (0.12 inhabitants/km²). There were 526 housing units at an average density of 0.2 units per square mile (0.077 units/km²). ^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 86.9% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 10.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 43.0% of the population. ^[11] In terms of ancestry, 11.0% were German, and 2.2% were American. ^[13]

Of the 349 households, 15.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.0% were non-families, and 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.49. The median age was 55.9 years. ^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,750 and the median income for a family was $56,563. Males had a median income of $36,167 versus $29,111 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,684. About 9.1% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 24.7% of those age 65 or over. ^[14]

Communities

Villages

• Mosquero (county seat)
• Roy

Unincorporated communities

• Mills
• Solano

Politics

Harding County is conservative in presidential elections. It last supported a Democrat for president in 1948, and that was by a margin of just 4 votes.

United States presidential election results for Harding County, New Mexico ^[15]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	319	63.17%	179	35.45%	7	1.39%
2016	311	59.01%	156	29.60%	60	11.39%
2012	327	54.41%	260	43.26%	14	2.33%
2008	358	57.19%	260	41.53%	8	1.28%
2004	380	59.01%	259	40.22%	5	0.78%
2000	366	61.72%	214	36.09%	13	2.19%
1996	321	52.11%	264	42.86%	31	5.03%
1992	312	46.02%	268	39.53%	98	14.45%
1988	377	56.10%	291	43.30%	4	0.60%
1984	401	63.55%	224	35.50%	6	0.95%
1980	356	59.23%	225	37.44%	20	3.33%
1976	387	57.08%	285	42.04%	6	0.88%
1972	522	68.68%	220	28.95%	18	2.37%
1968	450	57.69%	284	36.41%	46	5.90%
1964	473	52.27%	431	47.62%	1	0.11%
1960	616	60.87%	396	39.13%	0	0.00%
1956	671	61.96%	412	38.04%	0	0.00%
1952	760	63.49%	436	36.42%	1	0.08%
1948	649	49.66%	653	49.96%	5	0.38%
1944	820	55.90%	647	44.10%	0	0.00%
1940	998	49.63%	1,004	49.93%	9	0.45%
1936	888	40.94%	1,276	58.83%	5	0.23%
1932	779	33.97%	1,478	64.46%	36	1.57%
1928	916	55.72%	726	44.16%	2	0.12%
1924	721	42.14%	714	41.73%	276	16.13%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Harding County, New Mexico

References

1. "Harding County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 3, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "What's in a County Name? Presidents' Day Edition". NBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
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 29, 2013.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. "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. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.

35°52′N103°49′W / 35.86°N 103.82°W / 35.86; -103.82