Lovington, New Mexico

For the village in neighboring Eddy County, see Loving, New Mexico.

Lovington, New Mexico
City
Lovington Public Library
Lovington Public Library
Location of Lovington, New Mexico
Location of Lovington, New Mexico
Lovington, New Mexico is located in the United States
Lovington, New Mexico
Lovington, New Mexico
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 32°57′06″N 103°20′59″W / 32.95167°N 103.34972°W / 32.95167; -103.34972
CountryUnited States
StateNew Mexico
CountyLea
Area
[1]
 • Total
11.24 sq mi (29.10 km2)
 • Land11.21 sq mi (29.03 km2)
 • Water0.027 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
[3]
3,918 ft (1,194 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total
11,668
 • Density1,041/sq mi (401.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
ZIP code
88260
Area code575
FIPS code35-44490
GNIS feature ID2410888[3]
Websitelovington.org

Lovington is a city in and the county seat of Lea County, New Mexico, United States.[4] As of the 2020 census, Lovington had a population of 11,668.[5]

Geography

Lovington is located slightly north of the center of Lea County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lovington has a total area of 11.4 square miles (29.5 km2), of which 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2), or 0.26%, are water.[6]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920411—
1930961133.8%
19401,91699.4%
19503,13463.6%
19609,660208.2%
19708,915−7.7%
19809,7279.1%
19909,322−4.2%
20009,4711.6%
201011,00916.2%
202011,6686.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7][2]
Lea County Courthouse

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Lovington had a population of 11,668. The median age was 31.9 years. 30.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.8 males age 18 and over.[8][9]

99.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.7% lived in rural areas.[10]

There were 3,813 households in Lovington, of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.4% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[8]

There were 4,224 housing units, of which 9.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.7%.[8]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[9]
Race Number Percent
White 4,591 39.3%
Black or African American 237 2.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native 140 1.2%
Asian 91 0.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.0%
Some other race 4,205 36.0%
Two or more races 2,402 20.6%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 8,554 73.3%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 9,471 people, 3,297 households, and 2,459 families living in the city. The population density was 1,983.6 inhabitants per square mile (765.9/km2). There were 3,823 housing units at an average density of 800.7 per square mile (309.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 59.85% White, 3.03% African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 32.74% from other races, and 3.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.12%.[11]

Of the 3,297 households 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 22.8% of households were one person and 11.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.29.

The age distribution was 31.8% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median household income was $26,458 and the median family income was $30,064. Males had a median income of $28,547 versus $19,826 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,752. About 20.1% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.1% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highways

  • US 82 passes through the center of town, leading west 64 miles (103 km) to Artesia and northeast 35 miles (56 km) to Plains, Texas.
  • New Mexico State Road 18 leads southeast from Lovington 21 miles (34 km) to Hobbs, the largest city in Lea County.
  • State Road 83 leads east 18 miles (29 km) to the Texas border, where Texas State Highway 83 continues east 14 miles (23 km) to Denver City, Texas.

Railroad

The Texas & New Mexico Railway provides freight service. Lovington is the northern terminus of this line.

Education

Lovington Municipal Schools is the area school district.[12] It operates Lovington High School.

Notable people

  • Ray Berry, American football player
  • Ronnie Black, professional golfer
  • Taymon Domzalski, retired professional and Duke University basketball star[13]
  • Paul L. Foster, billionaire and President of Western Refining
  • Shirley Hooper, 18th Secretary of State of New Mexico
  • Sean Murphy, professional golfer
  • Earlene Roberts (1935–2013), politician
  • Ralph Tasker, basketball coach
  • Titanic Thompson, legendary gambler, raconteur
  • Brian Urlacher, retired NFL football player, pro football hall of fame class of 2018

References

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lovington, New Mexico
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  6. ^ "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: New Mexico". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  9. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  10. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lea County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  13. ^ Ganz, Adam. "'It's been the most fun season I've had here'". The Chronicle. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
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