Las Cruces Facts & Figures

Established: 1849

Population
Las Cruces: 95,000
Doña Ana County: 200,000

Elevation: 3,896 feet

Geographical Location
Las Cruces is located in southern New Mexico. We are on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, at the foot of the Organ Mountains and along the banks of the Rio Grande. Las Cruces is 225 miles south of Albuquerque, NM, 275 miles east of Tucson, AZ and 42 miles west of El Paso, TX.

Weather
Las Cruces enjoys 350 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures in the summer months routinely reach the high 90s, with nighttime lows in the 60s. The fall air is a bit cooler with daytime highs of mid 70s to low 80s. During the winter, when northern states are digging themselves out from under the snow, Las Cruces basks in daytime temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to lower 60s. As spring arrives in March and April, temperatures climb steadily from the low to high 80s. Las Cruces receives an average of 8.5 inches of rain per year and no more than two inches of snow in the winter.
 
Getting to Las Cruces
Most air travel is through the El Paso International Airport, located less than one hour south of Las Cruces in El Paso, TX. The airport accommodates most major commercial airlines and has direct shuttle services from the airport to several points in Las Cruces. The Las Cruces International Airport is equipped to service private and charter aircraft.
 
If you are traveling to Las Cruces by car, we are located at the intersection of interstates 10 (east-west) and 25 (north-south) in southern New Mexico.

Occasionally, Highway 70 heading east out of Las Cruces is temporarily closed for a short period of time due to testing at White Sands Missile Range. Call in advance if you are planning to head that direction.

Awards and Recognition -
One of Inc. Magazine’s top 20 “Boomtowns” - 2007

One of AARP’s 2006 “Dream Towns” to retire - 2006

One of the Best College Towns to Retire - Money November 2005

Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations in the United States - National Bus -Association, 2004 & 2005

Top 10 Cities for Hispanics to Live - Hispanic Magazine, 2002 & 2003

Best Small Metro Area for Business and Careers - Forbes/Milken Institute, 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2010

Best Place to Live - Family Digest, Fall 2002

One of the Best Places to Retire - Money Magazine, June 2002

Top Destination - Facilities & Destinations Magazine, 2001, 2002, 2004 & 2006

One of America’s Top 100 Retirement Towns - Where to Retire Magazine, Fall 2001