Deming, New Mexico

Deming is a city in Luna County, New Mexico, United States, located 60 miles (97 km) west of Las Cruces. The population was 14,116 at the 2000 census. Deming is the county seat and principal town of Luna County^[1].

1 History
2 Geography
3 Climate
4 Flora and fauna
5 Demographics
6 Economy
7 Transportation
8 Attractions
9 Education
10 Notable residents
11 Footnotes
12 External links

[edit] History

The city, founded in 1881 and incorporated in 1902, was an important port of entry on the US-Mexican border until the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. A nick name was given to the city at the time of its founding, "New Chicago". It was expected that with the surge of Railroad usage, that the city would grow drastically and resemble Chicago, Illinois. This nick name was, however, short lived.

Deming is named after Mary Ann Deming Crocker, wife of Charles Crocker, one of The Big Four of the railroad industry. The Silver Spike was driven here in 1881 to commemorate the meeting of the Southern Pacific with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads. This was the second complete transcontinental railroad in the United States.

There are numerous prehistoric Native American sites around Deming. The Mimbres and Casas Grandes cultures made pottery of remarkable quality, and the Deming area is (or was) rich in native pottery artifacts...as well as beads, stone implements, stone carvings, graves, etc. Laws against these practices were passed, but the damage had been done.

[edit] Geography

Deming is centered at 32°15′40″N, 107°45′21″W (32.261137, -107.755857)^[2], in the Basin and Range Province.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.3 square miles (24.2 km²), all of it land. The city is surrounded by land that appears flat, with wide rubble aprons around the nearby mountains and imperceptible grades in various directions.

The Mimbres River floods the Deming area once a decade or so, in periods of unusually heavy rainfall in the Cooke's Range and Black Range to the north.

Deming and its surrounding area is underlain by an aquifer of good-quality water. The aquifer is slowly recharged primarily by water from the mountains to the north. The water usually has a high sulfur content.

[edit] Climate

Deming is located within the Upper Chihuahuan Desert climate zone. The climate is dry, hot, and breezy. Winters are mild, with occasional snow that usually melts within a day or two. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F (37.8°C), but the altitude (4000 ft / 1219 m) and dry air make summer days more comfortable than one would expect given the high temperature. ^[3]

Most precipitation occurs as thunderstorms and showers during the July-September 'monsoon' period. Minor flooding sometimes occurs over large areas of flat ground. There are periods lasting from 5 to 20 years of relatively wet or dry years. Springtime is often windy, and during dry years dust storms can be severe--sometimes lasting for days. Snow is likely to fall in winter, but usually melts in a day or two. Temperatures in winter are sometimes below freezing at night, but winter days are generally mild and sunny.

[edit] Flora and fauna

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There are numerous species of wildflowers and weedy plants that grow naturally depending on rainfall, but the natural landscape is dominated by creosote bush, honey mesquite, and soaptree yucca. Numerous species of cactus are common on and around the many small mountain ranges.

Jack rabbits and cottontail rabbits are common, as are kangaroo rats and other small rodents. With such abundant, easy-to-spot small animal prey, hawks and buzzards are often flying overhead. Coyotes can often be heard at night. Porcupines and skunks are common. Songbirds, sparrows, jays, crows, and roadrunners are abundant. Rattlesnakes, bullsnakes, and several other snake species are to be found. Deer, bear, sheep, and even parrots can be found in some of the nearby mountains.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 14,116 people, 5,267 households, and 3,628 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,512.0 people per square mile (583.5/km²). There were 6,192 housing units at an average density of 663.2/sq mi (256.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.66% White, 1.37% Native American, 1.23% African American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 24.19% from other races, and 3.07% from two or more races. 64.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 5,267 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.9% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,081, and the median income for a family was $23,030. Males had a median income of $25,379 versus $16,462 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,943. About 28.5% of families and 32.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.4% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Economy

Deming's economy is based on transportation, real estate, agriculture, energy, retirement, tourism, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Deming is the only major stop on Interstate 10 between Lordsburg (60 miles west) and Las Cruces (60 miles east). Deming is also the closest major town to Silver City (50 miles north) and provides access to Chihuahua, Mexico via Columbus, New Mexico (25 miles south). Deming also sits astride the major railroad line linking the East and West coasts.

In 2006 the city's role in U.S. homeland security expanded. Deming's industrial park became home to the ten-acre Forward Operating Base Border Wolf, a Forward Operating Base supporting Operation Jump Start.^[5]

[edit] Transportation

Airports

Deming Municipal Airport, private and charter.
El Paso International Airport, nearest public airport with scheduled passenger flights, 108 miles (174 km) east of Deming.

Major highways

Interstate 10

Train

Amtrak's Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle routes stop at Deming Train Station.

[edit] Attractions

The Deming Luna Mimbres museum, housed in the historic Deming Armory (1916) and Customs House , features a world-class collection of Mimbres painted pottery, historic period-furnished rooms in the Seaman Fields House, an antique auto collection, a restored Harvey House restaurant, and many more displays ^[6], ^[7].

Nearby are City of Rocks State Park (New Mexico), with interesting volcanic rock formations ^[8], and Rockhoud State Park, offering mineral & rock collecting opportunities ^[9].