New Mexico
NM · Data from 2022–2023 government sources
New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, is a state of ancient cultures, dramatic desert landscapes, and a unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo traditions found nowhere else in America. Its turquoise skies, adobe architecture, and vibrant art scene have attracted painters, writers, and seekers for over a century. Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States, is the cultural heart of the Southwest.
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New Mexico has one of the longest histories of human habitation in North America. Ancestral Puebloans built complex settlements at Chaco Canyon over 1,000 years ago. Spanish colonizers arrived in 1598, establishing Santa Fe in 1610 — making it the oldest state capital. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, and the U.S. acquired New Mexico after the Mexican-American War in 1848. New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912. The Trinity Test — the world's first nuclear weapon detonation — took place near Alamogordo on July 16, 1945.
Economy
New Mexico's economy is driven by federal government and military spending (Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, Kirtland and Holloman Air Force Bases), oil and gas extraction, tourism, and agriculture. The state is a leader in nuclear research, space technology (Spaceport America hosted Virgin Galactic's first commercial flights), and renewable energy — particularly solar. Film production is growing, with Netflix and NBCUniversal operating studios in Albuquerque.
Geography & Landmarks
New Mexico covers 121,590 square miles of high desert, mountains, and river valleys. The Rio Grande flows through the center of the state. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the north reach over 13,000 feet, while the Chihuahuan Desert covers the south. White Sands National Park features 275 square miles of brilliant white gypsum sand dunes — the world's largest. Carlsbad Caverns, with its massive underground chambers, is another natural wonder. The Big Room in Carlsbad Caverns is the largest natural limestone chamber in North America, with a ceiling 255 feet high and a floor area of over 8.2 acres. White Sands' gypsum dunes are the world's largest gypsum dune field, covering 275 square miles of the Tularosa Basin.
Aztec Ruins National Monument — NPS Photo
Source: NPS API
Culture & Traditions
New Mexico's tricultural identity — Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo — produces a distinctive cultural blend found nowhere else in the United States. Santa Fe, continuously inhabited since 1610, is the oldest state capital and one of the premier art markets in the world, with Canyon Road hosting over 100 galleries in a half-mile stretch. The state's cuisine centers on the Hatch green chile, and the question 'Red or green?' (referring to chile sauce) is so fundamental that it became the official state question in 1999. Albuquerque's International Balloon Fiesta, held each October, is the world's largest hot air balloon festival, with over 500 balloons launching in mass ascensions. Georgia O'Keeffe spent decades painting the landscapes around Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch, and her museum in Santa Fe is the only museum in the United States dedicated to an internationally known woman artist. The Pueblo peoples maintain living cultural traditions in 19 pueblos across the state, hosting public feast days and dances that date back centuries.
Notable Cities
Santa Fe
CapitalThe oldest state capital in the U.S. (founded 1610) and one of the world's great art destinations. The plaza, adobe architecture, Canyon Road galleries, and the Santa Fe Opera define the city.
87,617
Population
$67,663
Median income
$370,600
Home value
$1,314
Median rent
44.5
Median age
5.3%
Unemployment
64.3%
Homeownership
13,948
Bachelor's+
Albuquerque
New Mexico's largest city, situated along the Rio Grande. Famous for the annual International Balloon Fiesta, Route 66, the Sandia Peak Tramway, and as the filming location of Breaking Bad.
Las Cruces
Southern New Mexico's largest city, home to New Mexico State University and a gateway to White Sands National Park and the Organ Mountains.
Taos
An artist colony and ski town in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.
Roswell
Internationally known for the alleged 1947 UFO incident. The International UFO Museum and annual UFO Festival draw curious visitors from around the world.
Capital city data: Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)
Intel File · Fun Facts
Santa Fe, founded in 1610, is the oldest state capital and the highest-elevation state capital (7,199 feet) in the United States.
The world's first atomic bomb was detonated at the Trinity Test Site near Alamogordo on July 16, 1945.
White Sands National Park contains the world's largest gypsum sand dune field — the white dunes are so bright they can be seen from space.
Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years, making it one of the oldest communities in North America.
New Mexico's official state question is 'Red or green?' — referring to chile peppers, which are central to the state's cuisine.
Data & Statistics
Demographics
- Population
- 2,112,463
- Median income
- $58,722
- Median age
- 38.6
- Median home value
- $216,000
- Below poverty line
- 378,651
- Bachelor's degree+
- 230,705
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022)
Agriculture
- Total farms
- 20,976
- Cropland
- 2,094,233 acres
- Market value
- $2,949M
Source: USDA NASS, Census of Agriculture (2022)
Public Health
- Obesity rate
- 35.3%
- Diabetes rate
- 12.5%
- Smoking rate
- 12.2%
- High blood pressure
- 34.2%
- Uninsured
- 10.0%
Source: CDC BRFSS Prevalence Data (2023, 2022 fallback)
National Parks & Sites
- National parks
- 2
- Total NPS sites
- 19
- Sites
- Aztec Ruins National Monument, Bandelier National Monument, Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Fort Union National Monument, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Pecos National Historical Park, Petroglyph National Monument, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Valles Caldera National Preserve, White Sands National Park
Source: National Park Service API
Climate
- Avg temperature
- 54.2°F
- Avg high
- 69.6°F
- Avg low
- 39.1°F
- Annual precipitation
- 14.8 in
- Annual snowfall
- 14.7 in
Source: NOAA Climate Normals (2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of New Mexico?▾
Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. Founded in 1610, it is the oldest capital city in the United States and is renowned for its adobe architecture, art galleries, and cultural heritage.
What happened in Roswell in 1947?▾
In July 1947, the U.S. military recovered debris from a crash near Roswell, initially describing it as a 'flying disc' before changing the explanation to a weather balloon. The incident spawned decades of UFO conspiracy theories and made Roswell an international symbol of extraterrestrial speculation.
What is red or green chile?▾
'Red or green?' is New Mexico's official state question, asked at nearly every restaurant. It refers to whether you want red chile sauce or green chile sauce on your food. Answering 'Christmas' gets you both. New Mexico chile peppers, particularly the Hatch variety, are a cornerstone of the state's cuisine.
What are the national laboratories in New Mexico?▾
New Mexico is home to Los Alamos National Laboratory (where the atomic bomb was developed during the Manhattan Project) and Sandia National Laboratories (focused on nuclear weapons engineering, defense, and energy research). Together they employ over 20,000 people and are major drivers of the state's economy.
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau · USDA NASS · CDC BRFSS · National Park Service · NOAA CDO
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. This product uses the NASS API but is not endorsed or certified by NASS.
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