Located in Southern New Mexico, Las Cruses has a population of about 94,000, making it the second-largest city in the state. The city is on the banks of the Rio Grande River on the edge of the Chihuahuan desert. There is an average of 350 days of sunshine a year in Las Cruces, and the winters are mild. There is never more than two inches or so of snow in the winter. In recent years, Las Cruses has been voted one of the ten best cities to get ‘real estate deal' by U.S. News and World Report magazine, one of AARP's best places to retire and one of Sunset magazine's '20 Best Towns of the Future.' Las Cruses also has a very unique downtown area that has six blocks closed to traffic, creating a covered downtown mall area for pedestrians.Those moving to Las Cruses will find it to be a city with all the amenities but having a homey, small town appeal.
Economy:
The median household income for Las Cruses is quite a bit lower than the average for the rest of the state. Correspondingly, the cost of living is quite a bit lower than the national average. The unemployment rate of 6.2 percent is much lower than the national average. The city is one of the fastest-growing in the nation. While agriculture is a mainstay of the economy, the federal government is the main source of jobs there. The White Sand Missile Range, the nation's largest installation, is the top employer in the area.
History:
The area was home to several Indian populations. Spanish explorers first came to the area in 1535. It was first colonized by Spain in 1535. After many changes in control, the area became part of the US in 1854. After the Civil War, the government built Fort Seldon and this fort was home to the famous Buffalo soldiers, an African-American Calvary unit of the army. The city was first plotted out in 1849. The railroad contributed to the growth of the city, as did gold prospectors hoping to strike it rich in the nearby Organ Mountains. The city was incorporated in 1946, the year after the atomic bomb was tested nearby. The city is now one of the fastest-growing in the nation.
Tourism:
Las Cruses is filled with things to do and see. The White Sands Missile Range has a museum dedicated to the history of space and nuclear research. The White Sands National Monument is an area of over 275 square miles of pure gypsum, and has tours. There are several theater companies, many historical and cultural museums. There are festivals all year long, many celebrating the city's Hispanic culture. There are several gold courses there.