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Detailed pages on related topics: Las Cruces colleges • Las Cruces travel • Las Cruces mortgages and property.
Introduction to Las Cruces, New Mexico
The New Mexico city of Las Cruces is located on the banks of the Rio Grande just west of the Organ Mountains in Doņa Ana County. The city is situated at the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 25 in the southern part of New Mexico, about 45 miles north of El Paso, Texas. The city is also serviced by U.S. Routes 70 and 180, and New Mexico State Highways 28, 101, 185, 188, 292, 320, 373, and 478. Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State University (NMSU), the state's only land-grant institution.
Las Cruces is Spanish for "The Crosses". There are numerous theories on exactly how the city got its name, ranging from local legends about crosses erected to honor past victims of Indian raids to simply an early Spanish geographic description of the city as a "crossing" or "crossroads". Incorporated in 1907, Las Cruces has benefited from the presence of the University and since the latter half of the 20th century has seen its economy grow primarily due to the advent of the nearby White Sands Missile Range and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) facilities located in the area.
Things to do in Las Cruces
Las Cruces is rich in attractions that celebrate the citys history and cultural diversity. The annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta is a huge event held every September where downtown Las Cruces is transformed into one big street party complete with food, live music, rides, a parade, and the creation of a very large enchilada (the 2004 version was cited by the Guinness Book of Records as the worlds largest). The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum features hands-on displays and live demonstrations charting the history of agriculture in the state. Historic Old Mesilla, only minutes from Las Cruses, is a quaint town highlighted by a plaza filled with shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Other attractions and events include the following:
Fans looking for local sports action can find it in the form of collegiate athletics. The New Mexico State University sports teams, known as the Aggies, compete in the Western Athletic Conference. Major rivalries exist between the Aggies and the University of New Mexico (UNM), and also between the Aggies and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The closest professional sports team is located in nearby El Paso (about 45 minutes away). The El Paso Diablos are an independent minor league baseball team competing in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
Las Cruces strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in New Mexico):
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers) | Top 9% |  |
| College Educated Adults (vs. State) | Top 12% | |
| Racial Diversity (vs. State) | Top 12% | |
| Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers) | Top 13% | |
| Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers) | Top 18% | |
Comparing Las Cruces to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in New Mexico (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Racial Diversity |  |  |
| Senior Citizens |  |  |
| Children Under 5 Years Old | | |
| Male Share of the Population | | |
| Female Share of the Population | | |
| Age of the Population |  |  |
| Well-Paid Single Women | |  |
| Well-Paid Single Men | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Average Household Size |  | |
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| College Educated Adults | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| People Above Poverty | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| People Living Alone | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Violent Crime | | |
| Low Property Crime | | |
Detailed pages on related topics: Las Cruces colleges • Las Cruces travel • Las Cruces mortgages and property.
 | Las Cruces Careers Las Cruces career and employment information. |
 | Las Cruces Colleges Las Cruces colleges and trade schools. |
 | Las Cruces Hotels & Travel Las Cruces hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Las Cruces Mortgage Las Cruces property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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