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Quay County, New Mexico

Coordinates: 35°07′N 103°33′W / 35.11°N 103.55°W / 35.11; -103.55
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Quay County, New Mexico
County
Quay County Courthouse in Tucumcari
Quay County Courthouse in Tucumcari
Map of New Mexico highlighting Quay County
Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
Map of the United States highlighting New Mexico
New Mexico's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°07′N 103°33′W / 35.11°N 103.55°W / 35.11; -103.55
Country United States
State New Mexico
FoundedFebruary 28, 1903[1]
Named afterMatthew Quay
SeatTucumcari
Largest cityTucumcari
Area
 • Total
2,882 sq mi (7,460 km2)
 • Land2,874 sq mi (7,440 km2)
 • Water7.2 sq mi (19 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
8,746
 • Density3.043/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)
Congressional district3rd
Websitequaycounty-nm.gov

Quay County (/ˈkweɪ/) is a county in the state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 8,746.[2] Its county seat is Tucumcari.[3] The county was named for Pennsylvania senator Matthew Quay, who supported statehood for New Mexico.[4] Its eastern border is the Texas state line, approximately 103.04 degrees west longitude.

History

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Early history

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Modern-day Quay County was once home to a massive inland sea, known as the Western 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 the Clovis culture emerged in the region.[6] Around 900 AD, the Ancestral Puebloan culture emerged in the region, and is believed to have lasted until roughly 1400 AD. While settlement was largely in the Four 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 the Apache and Comanche 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.

Colonial history

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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 to Comanchero interference, and settlement remained sparse until the Americans obtained control of the New Mexico Territory and established Fort Bascom in 1863.[6] As Native Americans were relocated following the Apache 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 been Hispano ranchers and shepherds, but by 1899 the region was full of Anglo-American homesteaders.[6]

20th century and modern day

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In 1902, the railroad came to Quay County. Tucumcari and Logan were founded as railroad camps for the Chicago, 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 the Great Depression. Following World 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 the Interstate 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]

Geography

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According to the U.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]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191014,912—
192010,444−30.0%
193010,8283.7%
194012,11111.8%
195013,97115.4%
196012,279−12.1%
197010,903−11.2%
198010,577−3.0%
199010,8232.3%
200010,155−6.2%
20109,041−11.0%
20208,746−3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010[15]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[16] there were 10,155 people, 4,201 households, and 2,844 families living in the county. The population 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 or African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 12.11% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races. 37.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $14,938. About 15.70% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 15.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 9,041 people, 4,072 households, and 2,502 families living in the county.[17] 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).[18] 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.[17] In terms of ancestry, 11.4% were American, 10.7% were English, 10.5% were German, and 9.8% were Irish.[19]

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.[17]

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 the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.[20]

Economy

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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.

Quay County employment by industry[21]
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%

Communities

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City

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Villages

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Census-designated place

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Other communities

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United States presidential election results for Quay County, New Mexico[22]
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%

Government and politics

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Government

At the federal level, Quay County is represented in the United States Senate by Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, both Democrats. It is represented in the United States House of Representatives as part of New Mexico's 3rd congressional district by Democrat Teresa Leger Fernández. It is part of the New Mexico Senate's 7th and 8th districts, represented by Republican Pat Woods and Democrat Pete Campos, respectively. It is in the New Mexico House of Representatives's 67th district, represented by Republican Jack Chatfield.

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 predominantly Southern Baptist region known as "Little Texas." As such, Quay County had much more in common with traditional Southern Democrats than it did with the more Catholic and Republican Spanish American regions in the west and north, which were much more Southeastern in culture.[23] 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 was George 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.

Education

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School districts include:[24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Quay - County". quaycounty-nm.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "Quay County, New Mexico". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Westergaard, Waldemar (1919). "Senator Bard and the Arizona-New Mexico Statehood Controversy". Annual Publication of the Historical Society of Southern California. 11 (2): 11. doi:10.2307/41168767. JSTOR 41168767.
  5. ^ a b c "About Tucumcari - Visit Tucumcari". visittucumcarinm.com/. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Oakes, Yvonne (1990). The Wilson Homestead: An Early 20th-century site on the Canadian River, Quay County, New Mexico. Museum of New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies.
  7. ^ "Area History". My Site. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  8. ^ "About Us - Tucumcari, New Mexico & our Chamber of Commerce". Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Route 66 Shines Bright in Tucumcari". www.newmexicomagazine.org. September 15, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  15. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 21, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  18. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  19. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  20. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  21. ^ "Comprehensive Plan Update" (PDF). Quay County Government. August 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  23. ^ Chilton, Lance; New Mexico: A Guide to the Colorful State, p. 95 ISBN 0826307329
  24. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Quay County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022. - Text list

35°07′N 103°33′W / 35.11°N 103.55°W / 35.11; -103.55

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