Portales, New Mexico
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Portales is a municipality in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, with a total population of 11,131 (as of the 2000 census). It is the county seat of Roosevelt County[Geographic references#6GR6] and is also the home of Eastern New Mexico University. It is located near the larger city of Clovis as well as Cannon Air Force Base, a major contributor to the economy of the region.
Eastern New Mexico University opened in 1934 and has grown to become the third largest university in the state. Peanuts and sweet potatoes were formerly the largest crops in the area. Although Portales is one of the largest producers of Valencia Peanuts in the United States, it is now best known for its successful, growing dairy industry.
City
The city's downtown area is centered around a traditional square, descending from Spanish urban design, with a county courthouse and various commercial venues. The university, Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), forms a sizable district with its campus and surrounding residential stock catering to students. Portales has thirty-four churches, which are predominantly Baptist.Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²), all land.
History
The town takes its name (Spanish for "gates"), from a nearby rock formation thought by the first Western visitors to resemble gates or porches. The settlement was founded in the late 1800s and the city was formally established in 1909. Its first mayor was Washington Ellsworth Lyndsey, later a state governor of New Mexico.Economy
The town and surrounding communities are heavily dependent on agriculture, including cattle ranching and dairy farming, peanuts, and grain, as well as the service industry. Retailers include Wal-Mart, many dollar stores and Allsups convenience stores. There are two bars in Portales.Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 11,131 people, 4,188 households, and 2,659 families residing in the city. The population density was 627.4/km² (1,624.9/mi²). There were 4,862 housing units at an average density of 274.0/km² (709.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.80% White, 2.28% African American, 1.12% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 23.39% from other races, and 3.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.13% of the population.There were 4,188 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 20.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,658, and the median income for a family was $30,462. Males had a median income of $27,080 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,935. About 18.8% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notables from Portales
- Cody Ross, Major League Baseball outfielder for the Florida Marlins
- Michael Blake, author of Dances with Wolves attended college at Eastern New Mexico University.
External links
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