Luna County Public RecordsNew Mexico

Luna County, NM, with approximately 15,000 registered voters, holds elections for federal, state, county, and municipal offices, including school boards and bond issues. As of 2022, about 48% are registered Democrats, 36% Republicans, and 16% other or unaffiliated. Major issues include water management and border security. The 2020 presidential vote was 54% Republican, 44% Democrat. The County Clerk’s office administers elections at several polling locations, including the Mimbres Valley Learning Center. The county ensures early voting and absentee ballots, aiming for transparent, accessible elections. Local party headquarters and civic groups actively participate in outreach.

As of 2023, Luna County, New Mexico, has a population of approximately 24,000. The median age is about 41 years, with 23% under 18 and 21% aged 65 or older. Gender distribution is roughly equal. The racial and ethnic makeup is 77% Hispanic or Latino, 18% White (non-Hispanic), 1.7% Native American, 1% Black or African American, and 1.5% other races or mixed.

Luna County, NM serves about 3,200 K-12 students across 7 public schools, including Deming High School. The high school graduation rate is around 78%, but only 13% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the national average. School safety initiatives are in place, with reported incidents below state median. Educational programs emphasize STEM, dual-credit courses, and adult education through Western New Mexico University’s Deming branch. The average district GreatSchools rating is 5/10, indicating room for improvement.

As of 2022, Luna County, NM, had an employment rate of approximately 48.6%. Major employment sectors include agriculture (13.7%), education and health services (23.4%), and retail trade (14.2%). The dominant occupation types are office and administrative support (19.1%) and sales (13.3%). Most residents (86%) commute by car, with an average commute time of 19.5 minutes. Around 67% work within the county, while others commute primarily to neighboring counties such as Doña Ana. The county faces higher-than-average unemployment at 8.0% compared to the national average.

Luna County, NM has a homeownership rate of about 69%, with median home values around $120,000 in 2023. Renters pay a median gross rent of $650 monthly. The county's housing market has seen a 7% price increase year-over-year, driven by demand for affordable single-family homes, manufactured houses, and some duplexes. Key neighborhoods include Deming and Columbus. Property tax rates average 0.7%, lower than the national average. Most homes are detached, and neighborhoods offer a mix of rural and small-town settings.

Luna County, NM, experiences higher-than-average crime rates compared to national figures. The violent crime rate is approximately 43.7 per 1,000 residents, with property crime at about 50.4 per 1,000, both above U.S. averages (22.7 for violent, 35.4 for property crime). The county sheriff’s department and local police actively report incidents, promoting community safety, but challenges remain. Efforts to improve awareness, neighborhood watch programs, and increased law enforcement visibility aim to reduce crime, though annual reports show fluctuations depending on the year and community involvement levels.