New Mexico

New Mexico (Spanish: Nuevo México) is one of the two southwestern states of the USA. Over its relatively long history it has also been occupied by Native American populations, part of the Spanish colony of New Spain, a province of the Republic of Mexico, and a U.S. territory. New Mexico has the highest percentage of people of Hispanic ancestry of any state, some recent immigrants and others descendants of Spanish colonists. The state also has a large Indian population. As a result, the demographics and culture of the state are unique for their strong Spanish, Mexican, and American Indian cultural influences. Both English and Spanish are officially recognized languages{{ref|Note-1}} in the state.

Demographics

According to the Census Bureau, as of 2004, the population of New Mexico was 1,903,289. The state's population had grown 388,000 (25.6%) since 1990. As of 2004, 10% of the residents of the state were foreign-born, and more than 2% of state residents were illegal aliens.

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Race and Ancestry

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The racial makeup of New Mexico:

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• 44.7% White non-Hispanic
• 42.1% Hispanic
• 9.5% Native American
• 1.9% Black
• 1.1% Asian
• 3.6% Mixed race

The five largest ancestry groups in New Mexico are: Spanish/Hispano (24%), Mexican (18.1%), English) (7.6%), Native American (9.5%), and German (9.9%).

Related Topics:
Spanish - Mexican - English - Native American - German

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The Hispanos of colonial Spanish ancestry are present in most of the state, especially northern, central, and northeastern New Mexico. Mexicans are prominent in southern part of the state. The northwestern corner of the state is primarily American Indian, of which Navajos and Pueblos are the largest tribes. New Mexico has the largest Hispanic population of any state, the second largest proportion of American Indians, and the largest percentage of residents of Spanish origin (24%).

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7.2% of New Mexico's population were reported as under 5, 28% under 18, and 11.7% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.8% of the population.

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Lists

For a list of notable New Mexicans see: List of people from New Mexico. For a list of cities and towns, in New Mexico, with a population greater than 3,000, see:

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Cities & towns in New Mexico. See also: New Mexico locations by per capita income.

Related Topics:
Cities & towns in New Mexico - New Mexico locations by per capita income

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Religion

New Mexico has the highest percentage of Catholics of any Western state. And like many other Western states, New Mexico has a higher-than-average percentage of people who claim no religion in comparison to other U.S. states.

Related Topics:
Western states - U.S. state

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• Christian – 80%
• Roman Catholic – 41%
• Protestant – 35%
• Baptist – 10%
• Presbyterian – 4%
• Pentecostal – 3%
• Other Protestant or general Protestant – 18%
• Mormon – 3%
• Other Christian – 1%
• Other Religions – 1%
• Non-Religious – 19%

Roman Catholicism

New Mexico belongs to the Ecclesiastical Province of Santa Fe. New Mexico has three dioceses, one of which is an archdiocese:

Related Topics:
Ecclesiastical Province - Santa Fe - Diocese - Archdiocese

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• Archdiocese of Santa Fe
• Diocese of Gallup
• Diocese of Las Cruces