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 Doņa Ana County was created in 1852 and is the second-most populated county in New Mexico. The county seat, Las Cruces, has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States for the past decade.
The quality of life in the county is characterized by a strong sense of community that is enhanced by a rural lifestyle. Assets identified by residents include peace and quiet, friendliness of the people, wonderful local produce and foods, and terrific weather in a rural setting where you can still see the stars.
The county comprises 3,804 square miles in south-central New Mexico, and borders El Paso County, Texas, to the east and southeast. The county also shares its borders with the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, directly south, Luna County to the west, Sierra County to the north and  Otero County to the east. There are many physically diverse areas within Doņa Ana, including mountain ranges, valleys and deserts.
In 1900, the county hosted an agriculturally based society with a population of 10,187. The market centers were Las Cruces, El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. By 1990, the county was urbanized with a population of 135,510 and boasted an economy based on service and retail. Rapid population growth has occurred in and around the city of Las Cruces, as well as in the southern part of the county. The part of the county north of Hill  remains primarily rural in nature. Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State University, as well as Doņa Ana Branch Community College.
The population has risen dramatically since 1900 and is expected to continue to grow at a rapid pace (4 - 6 percent) during the next 20 years. This translates to a 2015 population of more than 300,000 people. The primary areas of growth will be in the Las Cruces metropolitan area and in the southern sector of Doņa Ana County.
Photos by Art Schobey
The text above courtesy Doņa Ana County Website: http://www.co.dona-ana.nm.us
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