Kirtland, New Mexico Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 21, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Kirtland, New Mexico is a small town located in San Juan County. It has a population of approximately 5,000 people and covers an area of about 11 square miles. The town is situated in the high desert at an elevation of 5,600 feet, and the climate is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. Historically, Kirtland was first settled in the late 1880s as a farming community. Today, it is largely a residential community with some light industry and commercial businesses.

Politically, Kirtland lies within San Juan County which is governed by a county commission. There are also several elected municipal officials who manage the local government for Kirtland residents. In terms of economy, the town relies heavily on tourism as well as agricultural production from nearby farms and ranches. There are also some light industries such as manufacturing and construction that provide employment opportunities for locals.

Kirtland has two public schools: Kirtland Elementary School and Kirtland Middle/High School which are both part of the Central Consolidated School District (CCSD). The CCSD serves all students in San Juan County except those who attend Farmington High School or other private schools outside of the district’s boundaries.

Some of the most notable landmarks in Kirtland include Bisti Badlands National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Navajo Lake State Park and McElmo Creek Canyon Recreation Area. These sites provide visitors with ample opportunities to explore nature and experience Native American culture firsthand through guided tours or hikes along scenic trails.

Population: 6,190
Males: 3,064 (49.5%), Females: 3,126 (50.5%)

San Juan County

Zip code: 87417

Demographics

Median resident age: 27.4 years
Median household income: $45,000
Median house value: $84,200

Population by Race

Races in Kirtland:

American Indian (51.1%)
White Non-Hispanic (40.1%)
Hispanic (9.5%)
Other race (4.3%)
Two or more races (3.0%)

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

Ancestries: English (7.0%), United States (6.4%), Irish (6.0%), German (5.0%), French (1.5%), Scottish (1.2%).

Elevation: 5185 feet

Land area: 11.7 square miles

Population by Education

Kirtland, New Mexico is a small town located in San Juan County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Kirtland was 2,844. The town has a diverse population with approximately 40% of the population being Native American and another 40% being white. The remaining 20% is made up of African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. The median household income in Kirtland was $37,000 in 2017 which is lower than the national average.

Living costs in Kirtland are generally lower than other parts of New Mexico and the United States as a whole due to its rural location. Housing costs are relatively low with median rent at just over $700 per month for a two-bedroom apartment or home. Food costs are also low due to the abundance of locally grown produce available at farmers markets or grocery stores. Utilities such as electricity and water are also relatively inexpensive compared to other parts of the country. Additionally, transportation costs are low as many people rely on their own vehicles or take advantage of public transportation options. Overall, living costs in Kirtland can be considered quite affordable for those looking for an affordable place to live with access to all the comforts and amenities that come along with living in a small town.

For population 25 years and over in Kirtland

High school or higher: 82.1%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.3%
Unemployed: 8.6%
Mean travel time to work: 26.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Kirtland CDP

Never married: 33.3%
Now married: 53.5%
Separated: 1.4%
Widowed: 3.6%
Divorced: 8.3%

2.4% Foreign born (1.3% Latin America, 0.6% Asia, 0.5% Europe).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Kirtland:

LIFECOURSE CENTER FOR REHAB SERVICES (about 14 miles; FARMINGTON, NM)
SAN JUAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER INC (about 14 miles; FARMINGTON, NM)
PHS INDIAN HOSPITAL (about 32 miles; SHIPROCK, NM)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Kirtland:

FOUR CORNERS REGIONAL (about 10 miles; FARMINGTON, NM; Abbreviation: FMN)
CORTEZ MUNI (about 43 miles; CORTEZ, CO; Abbreviation: CEZ)
DURANGO-LA PLATA COUNTY (about 50 miles; DURANGO, CO; Abbreviation: DRO)

Other public-use airports nearest to Kirtland:

AZTEC MUNI (about 24 miles; AZTEC, NM; Abbreviation: Q19)
SHIPROCK AIRSTRIP (about 25 miles; SHIPROCK, NM; Abbreviation: 5V5)
ANIMAS AIR PARK (about 46 miles; DURANGO, CO; Abbreviation: 00C)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Kirtland:

SAN JUAN COLLEGE (about 15 miles; FARMINGTON, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,837)
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE (about 52 miles; DURANGO, CO; Full-time enrollment: 4,051)
MESA STATE COLLEGE (about 161 miles; GRAND JUNCTION, CO; Full-time enrollment: 4,415)
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-MAIN CAMPUS (about 165 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 18,780)
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-ALBUQUERQUE NM CAMPUS (about 165 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 3,261)
ALBUQUERQUE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE (about 166 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 9,188)
WESTERN STATE COLLEGE COLORADO (about 167 miles; GUNNISON, CO; Full-time enrollment: 2,199)

Schools

Public high school in Kirtland:

CENTRAL HIGH (Students: 990; Location: 550 ROAD 6100; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Kirtland:

KIRTLAND ELEM (Students: 620; Location: 30 ROAD 6446; Grades: PK – 06)
KIRTLAND MIDDLE SCH (Students: 544; Location: 538 ROAD 6100; Grades: 07 – 08)
RUTH N BOND ELEM. (Students: 353; Location: 5 ROAD 6575; Grades: PK – 03)
GRACE B. WILSON ELE (Students: 306; Location: 540 ROAD 6580; Grades: 04 – 12)
OJO AMARILLO ELEM. (Students: 290; Location: RD. 6500 & RD. 6446; Grades: PK – 06)