 City of Las Cruces Home Page |
 Planning Dept. Home Page |
 BF&SMP Contents Page |
 Previous |
 Next |
 Mesilla
Valley Bicycle Coalition Home Page |
||||
Documented growth rates from the Census Bureau for the City of Las Cruces and Doņa Ana County have been substantial from an historical perspective. Table 2 reflects the changes in population for both the City and the County since 1910. Las Cruces' highest growth period occurred during the 1950's in which the population jumped from 12,325 to 29,367, a growth rate of 138%. The 1980's saw a population increase of 38% from 45,086 to 62,126 for the City while the County had a slightly higher increase at 40%.
TABLE 2: Historical Census Information for the City of Las Cruces and Doņa Ana County
| YEAR | CITY POP. |
PERCENT CHANGE (CITY) |
COUNTY POP. |
PERCENT CHANGE (CO.) |
% CITY OF COUNTY TOTAL |
| 1910 | 3,386 | --- | 12,893 | 27% | 26% |
| 1920 | 3,969 | 17% | 16,548 | 28% | 24% |
| 1930 | 5,811 | 46% | 27,455 | 66% | 21% |
| 1940 | 8,385 | 44% | 30,411 | 11% | 28% |
| 1950 | 12,325 | 47% | 39,557 | 30% | 31% |
| 1960 | 29,367 | 138% | 59,948 | 52% | 49% |
| 1970 | 37,857 | 29% | 69,773 | 16% | 54% |
| 1980 | 45,086 | 19% | 96,340 | 38% | 47% |
| 1990 | 62,126 | 38% | 135,510 | 41% | 46% |
| AVERAGE | --- | 47.25% | --- | 34.33% | 36.22% |
Existing and future population estimates for the city and the five-mile area beyond the city limits were developed as part of the interstate Highway Access Study. The findings of the study were based on a medium growth scenario. The current combined population for both the city and the five-mile area is estimated at 101,830 and is expected to reach 159,656 by the year 2020. Table 3 indicates a moderate growth rate for population, housing, and employment for the 20-year period for the entire five-mile area.
| TABLE 3: Demographic Totals for Las Cruces Study Area (City & MPO Area) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Special Census (IHAS Study: Technical Demographics Report) |
The IHAS Study depicted relative growth in Table 3 (Population, Housing, and Employment) for areas within the MPO. Of these population, housing, and employment projections, the central city has the highest potential to absorb increases in population because of its existing infrastructure. The land immediately north of the city (both east & west of I-25) and south of NMSU has the second highest potential for growth, due in part to recent subdivisions and the potential extension of utilities. The three areas that share third place concerning the likelihood of growth is the far north valley area west of the river and north of US Highway 70, the airport, and the far east mesa.