Neighboring Communities
LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO
Just west of White Sands Missile Range and about a 35-mile drive through the Organ Mountain range is the city of Las Cruces. About 50 percent of the installation's civilian workforce lives in Las Cruces and thereby plays a major role in its economic prosperity. In return, the city provides WSMR employees and visitors with a great quality of life, offering a broad spectrum of cultural, educational and recreational opportunities.
With a current population of more than 175,000 in city and the outlying Doña Ana County areas, Las Cruces is one of the fastest growing cities in New Mexico and the nation—the second largest in New Mexico. The city has garnered numerous awards including rankings by Money magazine as one of the best college towns to retire and the AARP as one of their "dream towns" in which to retire. Las Cruces has also been ranked by Forbes as one of the best small metro areas for business and careers. The city has several recreation centers and numerous parks, including a skate park. The larger parks feature playgrounds, picnic tables and festivals throughout the year. Las Cruces has wonderful weather, so outdoor sports can be enjoyed year-round at some of southern New Mexico's finest recreational facilities. There are plenty of places to walk, run, hike, bike or play. The city itself contains 87 parks, three public swimming pools, one indoor, including the new Laabs Pool, with two more new pools on the way.
Other recreational facilities include soccer fields, baseball fields, lighted tennis courts and various recreation centers. The City of Las Cruces offers a variety of programs, activities and events for the public at several of the city's recreation centers. Outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy hiking opportunities in the nearby Organ Mountains and searching for fossils near Picacho Peak.
Numerous museums and art galleries are located within the city including the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, the Las Cruces Railroad Museum, the Las Cruces Museum of Art, Branigan Cultural Center and the University Art Gallery. A Farmers and Crafts Market is conducted in historic downtown every Wednesday and Saturday. Las Cruces is the location for several annual events, all famous for their cultural flavor and down-home entertainment. Four of Las Cruces' annual events—the Whole Enchilada Fiesta, the Renaissance Arts Faire, Cowboy Days and Fiesta de San Ysidro—have been voted to the list of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association. Additionally, there are many active theater groups as well as a symphony orchestra and other music ensembles.
Las Cruces is considered part of the "Border Plex"—along with El Paso, Texas and Juaréz, Mexico. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the city's proximity to El Paso/Juaréz and its location at the interchange of two interstate highways have combined to influence and increase the area's industrial growth. While still a small part of the overall economic picture, the manufacturing sector is growing, employing about five percent of the overall labor force. Agriculture, construction, government, retail trade, tourism and services are other significant economic components.
Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State University with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students on its main and branch campuses. NMSU is a NASA Space Grant College and Hispanic-serving institution. On the main campus, bachelor and graduate degree programs are available through the colleges of Agriculture and Home Economics, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Extended Learning, Health and Social Services, Honors and the Graduate School. The Extended Learning College also provides a wide array of distance education programs. NMSU is a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
The Las Cruces Public School system is the second largest school district in New Mexico. The district has 35 schools: 24 elementary schools (grades pre-K-5), seven middle schools (grades 6-8) and four high schools (grades 9-12). The district also has one vocational high school providing career technical education (CTE) to eighth through twelfth grade students. Student enrollment is nearly 24,000 students. The district offers well-rounded support services for its students including bus transportation, counselors, career exploration, day care, drug/alcohol prevention programs, extracurricular activities and clubs, Head Start, libraries, magnet programs, technology, parenting classes for families, special education services and much more.
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