NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico is home to hundreds of cities, small towns, villages, and unincorporated territories. These municipalities cover only 1% of the state’s land area but contain over 65% of its population. With populations ranging from 22 (Grenville) to over 560,000 (Albuquerque), there are countless hidden gems sprinkled throughout New Mexico. In most cases, a small town is defined as having a population of 20,000 or less. KRQE asked viewers via social media which small town in the Land of Enchantment was their favorite.
The most popular small town in the state, with a population of 7,663, is Ruidoso, New Mexico, in Lincoln County. The village lies in the Sierra Blanca mountain range and is near Ski Apache, the southernmost ski resort in the United States. To the southwest sits Lincoln National Forest with hiking trails and waterfalls, and to the northeast sits the Lincoln Historical Site with 19th-century stone and adobe buildings. Each summer, the Ruidoso Downs Race Track hosts horse races, including the All American Futurity.
In second place, with a population of 12,905, is Las Vegas, New Mexico, in San Miguel County. Once split into two separate municipalities, West Las Vegas (Old Town) and East Las Vegas (New Town), separated by the Gallinas River, this city retains distinct characteristics on both sides. Las Vegas is home to New Mexico Highlands University and has an extensive history as a filming location for various productions. There are over 900 listed structures on the National Register of Historic Places here.
Third, with a population of 537, is Red River, New Mexico, in Taos County. This resort town lies in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is surrounded by the Carson National Forest. Red River’s main industry is tourism, with winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling, and summer activities like hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway passes through this former mining town.
Other popular answers include Cloudcroft (pop. 758), Raton (pop. 5,978), Chama (pop. 912), Mora (pop. 518), Angel Fire (pop. 1,176), Pecos (pop. 1,380), and Taos (pop. 6,427).
Honorable Mentions
| Town Name | Population |
| Silver City | 9,377 |
| Aztec | 6,130 |
| Truth or Consequences | 6,000 |
| Bosque Farms | 4,076 |
| Clayton | 2,581 |
| Questa | 1,797 |
| Logan | 959 |
| Cimarron | 789 |
| Anton Chico | 235 |
| Jemez Springs | 202 |
| Pie Town | 188 |
| Roy | 185 |
Other:
- Amalia
- Bayard
- Belen
- Bernalillo
- Bloomfield
- Canjilon
- Cerro
- Chimayo
- Clayton
- Colonias
- Corrales
- Cuba
- Datil
- Dixon
- Dulce
- Eagle Nest
- Elephant Butte
- Elida
- Embudo
- Española
- Estancia
- Folsom
- Fort Sumner
- Grady
- Hatch
- Hillsboro
- Lincoln
- Loco Hills
- Los Ojos
- Loving
- Lovington
- Mayhill
- Mesilla
- Miami
- Mimbres
- Moriarty
- Mountainair
- Ojo Feliz
- Pojoaque
- Quemado
- Ramah
- San Antonio
- Santa Rosa
- Sile
- Timberon
- White Rock
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
