Moving to Dona Ana, New Mexico

Dona Ana, New Mexico is a small city located in the Mesilla Valley. It is bordered by the Rio Grande River to the south and the Organ Mountains to the east. The city is known for its dry climate and hot summers, with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit during peak season. The area has a rich history, having been settled by Spanish colonists in the early 19th century and later becoming part of Mexico before being annexed by the United States in 1848. Politically, Dona Ana is part of Doña Ana County and is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners which serves as both legislative and executive branch of government.

The local economy relies heavily on agricultural production, especially dairy farming, as well as tourism due to its proximity to Las Cruces and El Paso. Dona Ana also boasts several educational institutions including New Mexico State University at Las Cruces and Doña Ana Community College. There are also several public schools located within the city limits such as Desert Hills Elementary School, Camino Real Middle School, and Mayfield High School.

For those interested in landmarks, Dona Ana has plenty to offer from historic sites like Old Mesilla Plaza which was once used as a marketplace for Mexican traders to modern attractions like White Sands National Monument which features stunning white sand dunes that stretch across 275 square miles of desert terrain. Other notable spots include Rio Grande Theatre which hosts live music performances throughout the year and La Llorona Park which offers outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking trails, and more!

Population: 1,379
Males: 684 (49.6%), Females: 695 (50.4%)

Demographics

Median resident age: 30.9 years
Median household income: $27,292
Median house value: $68,800

Population by Race

Races in Dona Ana:

  • Hispanic (87.1%)
  • Other race (47.1%)
  • White Non-Hispanic (11.5%)
  • Two or more races (4.5%)
  • American Indian (2.2%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: United States (7.5%), Irish (3.0%), Italian (2.6%), English (2.4%), Scotch-Irish (1.0%).

Elevation: 3960 feet

Land area: 0.7 square miles

Population by Education

Dona Ana, New Mexico is a small rural community located in the southern part of the state. It has a population of approximately 2,000 people, with most of them living in the small town center. The majority of citizens are Hispanic or Latino, making up nearly 90% of the population. The rest of the population is primarily Caucasian and Native American. The median household income is $20,000 annually, with poverty levels at around 20%.

The majority of jobs in Dona Ana are in agriculture and tourism. Agriculture is the primary industry throughout Dona Ana County and contributes significantly to its economy. The main crops grown in this area include cotton, corn, sorghum, chile peppers and onions. Tourism also plays an important role in Dona Ana’s economy as it draws tourists from all over New Mexico and beyond to experience its culture and attractions such as its historic churches and museums as well as its many outdoor activities like fishing and hunting. Education is also important to this community with several schools located within Dona Ana County ranging from elementary schools to colleges offering degrees in various fields including business management and nursing.

For population 25 years and over in Dona Ana

  • High school or higher: 60.4%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.3%
  • Unemployed: 8.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 20.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Dona Ana CDP

  • Never married: 34.0%
  • Now married: 49.2%
  • Separated: 2.9%
  • Widowed: 2.9%
  • Divorced: 10.9%

17.1% Foreign born (17.1% Latin America).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Dona Ana:

  • MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER INC (about 8 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM)
  • MESILLA VALLEY HOSP (about 8 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM)
  • ALLIANCE HOSPITAL OF SANTA TERESA (about 36 miles; SANTA TERESA, NM)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Dona Ana:

  • LAS CRUCES INTERNATIONAL (about 11 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Abbreviation: LRU)
  • BIGGS AAF (about 50 miles; FORT BLISS/EL PASO/, TX; Abbreviation: BIF)
  • EL PASO INTL (about 52 miles; EL PASO, TX; Abbreviation: ELP)

Other public-use airports nearest to Dona Ana:

  • HATCH MUNI (about 32 miles; HATCH, NM; Abbreviation: E05)
  • DONA ANA COUNTY AT SANTA TERESA (about 37 miles; SANTA TERESA, NM; Abbreviation: 5T6)
  • WEST TEXAS (about 62 miles; EL PASO, TX; Abbreviation: T27)

Amtrak station near Dona Ana:

  • 6 miles: LAS CRUCES (490 VALLEY DR.) – Bus Station. Services: intercity bus service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Dona Ana:

  • NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 9 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 12,562)
  • NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-DONA ANA (about 9 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,380)
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO (about 48 miles; EL PASO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 12,071)
  • EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 55 miles; EL PASO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 11,127)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-MAIN CAMPUS (about 183 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 18,780)
  • ALBUQUERQUE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE (about 186 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 9,188)
  • UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-ALBUQUERQUE NM CAMPUS (about 191 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 3,261)