Quay County, New Mexico | |
|---|---|
 Quay CountyCourthouse in Tucumcari | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNew Mexico | |
| Coordinates:35°07′N103°33′W / 35.11°N 103.55°W /35.11; -103.55 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Mexico |
| Founded | February 28, 1903[1] |
| Named after | Matthew Quay |
| Seat | Tucumcari |
| Largest city | Tucumcari |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,882 sq mi (7,460 km2) |
| • Land | 2,874 sq mi (7,440 km2) |
| • Water | 7.2 sq mi (19 km2) 0.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,746 |
| • Density | 3.043/sq mi (1.175/km2) |
| Time zones | |
| Entire county (legally) | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Nara Visa (unofficially) | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 88121, 88426, 88427, 88430, 88433, 88434, 88401, 88411 |
| Area code | 575 |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | quaycounty-nm |
Quay County (/ˈkweɪ/) is acounty in thestate ofNew Mexico. As of the2020 U.S. census, the population was 8,746.[2] Itscounty seat isTucumcari.[3] The county was named forPennsylvaniasenatorMatthew Quay, who supported statehood for New Mexico.[4] Its eastern border is theTexas state line, approximately 103.04 degrees west longitude.
Modern-day Quay County was once home to a massive inland sea, known as theWestern Interior Seaway. Like the rest of New Mexico, Quay County has a strong paleontological history and dinosaur fossils have been found in the area.[5]
The earliest known evidence of human activity dates back to roughly 9500 BC, when theClovis culture emerged in the region.[6] Around 900 AD, theAncestral Puebloan culture emerged in the region, and is believed to have lasted until roughly 1400 AD. While settlement was largely in theFour Corners region of the state, artifacts have been discovered in Quay County as well, and the area is believed to have been a trade route or a temporary hunting site.[5][6] By the 1500s, Native American tribes such as theApache andComanche had emerged, using the area as hunting grounds.[5] Around this time,Spanish explorers began scouting the area, but did not settle in Quay County or establish any missions or trading posts.
European settlements emerged in Quay County around the 17th century, although they never gained any major size or importance. Tensions between settlers and Native American tribes were common due toComanchero interference, and settlement remained sparse until the Americans obtained control of theNew Mexico Territory and establishedFort Bascom in 1863.[6] As Native Americans were relocated following theApache Wars, settlers steadily moved into the area and the cattle industry spilled over from Texas, becoming the dominant economic driver of the region. Prior to the 1860s, most settlers had beenHispano ranchers and shepherds, but by 1899 the region was full of Anglo-American homesteaders.[6]
In 1902, the railroad came to Quay County. Tucumcari and Logan were founded as railroad camps for theChicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, and Quay County was officially split off from neighboring Guadalupe County and incorporated in 1903. By 1913, Tucumcari had become a boomtown. Around this time, harsh weather and tensions with ranchers caused most of the homesteaders to abandon the region, and by the 1920s Quay County was predominantly home to ranchers and new urban residents.[6]
Tucumcari grew so quickly during this time that it was one of few areas in the United States to not be significantly affected by theGreat Depression. FollowingWorld War I, returning servicemembers proved a boon to the economy and a building boom began that lasted for years.[7]
In 1926,U.S. Route 66 was established, quickly surpassing the railroad in terms of importance. Quay County was a major thoroughfare, and the population of the area boomed as the economy quickly shifted towards the service sector.[8] By the 1950s, Tucumcari was referred to as "Little Las Vegas" and was one of the most important commercial centers of eastern New Mexico.[9]
With the advent of theInterstate Highway System in the 1960s, Quay County quickly declined in importance as I-40 (which served only Tucumcari) replaced Route 66. The population of Quay County has since declined steadily, and it is now a rural area with only one large commercial center at Tucumcari.[9]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,882 square miles (7,460 km2), of which 2,874 square miles (7,440 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (0.3%) is water.[10]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 14,912 | — | |
| 1920 | 10,444 | −30.0% | |
| 1930 | 10,828 | 3.7% | |
| 1940 | 12,111 | 11.8% | |
| 1950 | 13,971 | 15.4% | |
| 1960 | 12,279 | −12.1% | |
| 1970 | 10,903 | −11.2% | |
| 1980 | 10,577 | −3.0% | |
| 1990 | 10,823 | 2.3% | |
| 2000 | 10,155 | −6.2% | |
| 2010 | 9,041 | −11.0% | |
| 2020 | 8,746 | −3.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010[15] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 8,746. The median age was 47.5 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.3 males age 18 and over.[16]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 5,953 | 4,847 | 4,434 | 58.62% | 53.61% | 50.70% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 78 | 82 | 89 | 0.77% | 0.91% | 1.02% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 78 | 69 | 57 | 0.77% | 0.76% | 0.65% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 81 | 78 | 48 | 0.80% | 0.86% | 0.55% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0.06% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 4 | 9 | 36 | 0.04% | 0.10% | 0.41% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 98 | 118 | 232 | 0.97% | 1.31% | 2.65% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,857 | 3,834 | 3,848 | 37.98% | 42.41% | 44.00% |
| Total | 10,155 | 9,041 | 8,746 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 70.7% White, 1.3%Black or African American, 1.6%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Asian, 0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 11.5% from some other race, and 14.4% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 44.0% of the population.[20]
59.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.3% lived in rural areas.[21]
There were 3,922 households in the county, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 30.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]
There were 5,471 housing units, of which 28.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.3% were owner-occupied and 30.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.7%.[16]
As of the2010 census, there were 9,041 people, 4,072 households, and 2,502 families living in the county.[22] The population density was 3.1 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km2). There were 5,569 housing units at an average density of 1.9 units per square mile (0.73 units/km2).[23] The racial makeup of the county was 86.1% white, 1.2% American Indian, 1.1% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 7.2% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 42.4% of the population.[22] In terms of ancestry, 11.4% wereAmerican, 10.7% wereEnglish, 10.5% wereGerman, and 9.8% wereIrish.[24]
Of the 4,072 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.6% were non-families, and 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 45.6 years.[22]
The median income for a household in the county was $28,773 and the median income for a family was $41,766. Males had a median income of $29,769 versus $32,462 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,234. About 13.3% of families and 21.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.[25]
As of the2000 census,[26] there were 10,155 people, 4,201 households, and 2,844 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 5,664 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.09%White, 0.84%Black orAfrican American, 1.27%Native American, 0.80%Asian, 0.15%Pacific Islander, 12.11% fromother races, and 2.75% from two or more races. 37.98% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 4,201 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% weremarried couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,894, and the median income for a family was $30,362. Males had a median income of $24,801 versus $17,500 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,938. About 15.70% of families and 20.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 15.80% of those age 65 or over.
Quay County has a declining economy once dominated by the agriculture and ranching sectors, which remain major employers to this day. In the 1920s, Quay County became an important railroad hub, but the rail industry has since disappeared from the county. The development of Route 66 and I-40 transformed the region into a service-based economy, and now the county's main economic sectors include logistics and service, concentrated around I-40 and Tucumcari, and ranching.
| Industry | Percentage of employment |
|---|---|
| Education and healthcare | 21.7% |
| Entertainment and service | 21.3% |
| Retail | 10.2% |
| Professional and administrative | 7.9% |
| Public administration | 7.2% |
| Other | 7% |
| Construction | 6.4% |
| Agriculture and mining | 5.9% |
| Logistics and transportation | 5.3% |
| Finance and real estate | 3.2% |
| Manufacturing | 1.9% |
| Wholesale trade | 1.1% |
| Information | 0.7% |
As a rural town alongRoute 66, Quay County has long been associated with both traditional frontier culture and the 1950s-era road tripping culture that made it a boomtown. Tucumcari was the filming location for the western seriesRawhide,[28] and it was one of the major inspirations for the fictional town of Radiator Springs in the filmCars,[29] and many of its events today are either Route 66 oriented or inspired by its earlier days as aWild west railroad town. Major events and attractions include:
Government
At the federal level, Quay County is represented in theUnited States Senate byMartin Heinrich andBen Ray Luján, both Democrats. It is represented in theUnited States House of Representatives as part ofNew Mexico's 3rd congressional district by DemocratTeresa Leger Fernández. It is part of theNew Mexico Senate's 7th and 8th districts, represented by RepublicanPat Woods and DemocratPete Campos, respectively. It is in theNew Mexico House of Representatives's 67th district, represented by RepublicanJack Chatfield. Judicially, it is in New Mexico's 10th Judicial District Court.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 351 | 18.69% | 884 | 47.07% | 643 | 34.24% |
| 1916 | 598 | 24.95% | 1,539 | 64.21% | 260 | 10.85% |
| 1920 | 1,213 | 39.15% | 1,813 | 58.52% | 72 | 2.32% |
| 1924 | 851 | 27.84% | 1,548 | 50.64% | 658 | 21.52% |
| 1928 | 1,616 | 50.26% | 1,594 | 49.58% | 5 | 0.16% |
| 1932 | 852 | 20.90% | 3,058 | 75.01% | 167 | 4.10% |
| 1936 | 816 | 19.02% | 3,423 | 79.79% | 51 | 1.19% |
| 1940 | 1,413 | 30.39% | 3,215 | 69.14% | 22 | 0.47% |
| 1944 | 1,449 | 38.83% | 2,272 | 60.88% | 11 | 0.29% |
| 1948 | 1,392 | 30.98% | 3,063 | 68.17% | 38 | 0.85% |
| 1952 | 2,711 | 53.00% | 2,375 | 46.43% | 29 | 0.57% |
| 1956 | 2,311 | 53.52% | 1,988 | 46.04% | 19 | 0.44% |
| 1960 | 2,652 | 56.38% | 2,050 | 43.58% | 2 | 0.04% |
| 1964 | 2,161 | 47.86% | 2,333 | 51.67% | 21 | 0.47% |
| 1968 | 2,123 | 51.38% | 1,399 | 33.86% | 610 | 14.76% |
| 1972 | 3,224 | 71.30% | 1,161 | 25.67% | 137 | 3.03% |
| 1976 | 2,059 | 49.08% | 2,095 | 49.94% | 41 | 0.98% |
| 1980 | 2,499 | 62.09% | 1,422 | 35.33% | 104 | 2.58% |
| 1984 | 2,842 | 66.82% | 1,368 | 32.17% | 43 | 1.01% |
| 1988 | 2,454 | 55.62% | 1,901 | 43.09% | 57 | 1.29% |
| 1992 | 1,759 | 41.01% | 1,758 | 40.99% | 772 | 18.00% |
| 1996 | 1,943 | 46.53% | 1,830 | 43.82% | 403 | 9.65% |
| 2000 | 2,292 | 59.63% | 1,471 | 38.27% | 81 | 2.11% |
| 2004 | 2,661 | 64.63% | 1,422 | 34.54% | 34 | 0.83% |
| 2008 | 2,367 | 59.23% | 1,547 | 38.71% | 82 | 2.05% |
| 2012 | 2,202 | 59.40% | 1,383 | 37.31% | 122 | 3.29% |
| 2016 | 2,212 | 61.93% | 1,017 | 28.47% | 343 | 9.60% |
| 2020 | 2,634 | 68.01% | 1,170 | 30.21% | 69 | 1.78% |
| 2024 | 2,570 | 69.38% | 1,055 | 28.48% | 79 | 2.13% |
Locally, Quay County is represented by a three-person board of commissioners and several county officials.
| Office | Name | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner | Dallas Dowell | Republican | |
| Commissioner | Jerri Rush | Republican | |
| Commissioner | Brian Fortner | Republican | |
| Office | Name | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Clerk | Veronica Manley | Democratic | |
| Assessor | Jefferson Byrd | Republican | |
| Probate Judge | Christina Wilson | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Dennis Garcia | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Theresa Lafferty | Republican | |
Politics
At formation, Quay County was part of a predominantlySouthern Baptist region known as "Little Texas." As such, Quay County had much more in common with traditionalSouthern Democrats than it did with the more Catholic and RepublicanSpanish American regions in the west and north, which were much more Southeastern in culture.[33] Quay County was thus a powerfully Democratic county until the 1950s, when it along with North and West Texas began slowly realigning towards Republicans. Quay remained a swing county until the 1960s but continued to vote more in align with Southern Democrats than the rest of New Mexico (in 1968, it wasGeorge Wallace's sixth strongest county in the state). It has since followed the southern trend of becoming powerfully Republican, and has given Republicans increasing margins since 2008.
School districts include:[34]
Quay county has one airport,Tucumcari Municipal Airport. The airport is mainly for civil use.[35]
I-40
I-40 BL (Tucumcari)
US 54
NM 104
NM 209
NM 88
NM 278
NM 256
NM 252
NM 312
NM 89
NM 156
NM 469
NM 275
NM 39
NM 392
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)Places adjacent to Quay County, New Mexico | |
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Municipalities and communities ofQuay County, New Mexico,United States | ||
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| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also extends into Texas | |
| International | |
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| Other | |
