New Mexico Census Data

DGR occasionally uses census data that is compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau for various projects. The census data is organized primarily around special units of geography (tracts, blocks, etc.), but also contains other political units such as counties and voting precincts. DGR usually combines census data with other information for special uses. Some examples of this census data and some of its special uses are presented here in map form. This data has been processed by DGR using SAS and ArcGIS software.

DGR does not serve as a repository for New Mexico census data. DGR is only a user of this information for special studies that are funded by other government agencies. As part of DGR's public service function at UNM, however, some of this data is made available for public use (see below). If you need to obtain more complete New Mexico census data you should contact the agencies listed below which have facilities and policies for providing census data along with some user support.

Other Sources for NM Census Data

DGR is continuing to develop a web page for the New Mexico 2000 United States Census and other demographic data. This web page is part of DGR's public service function at UNM. It is intended primarily for the public and also other governmental GIS users. In general, public users do not have sophisticated GIS facilities. This web page will provide easy access to data in interactive form and also in a simple to use free GIS package (ESRI's ArcReader). More sophisticated GIS and statistical users that have their own facilities will be provided access to this data in ready-to-use formats that can be further customized to their needs (ArcView, ArcMap, and SAS datasets). This project (the CAAP - Census Aggregation and Accessibility Project) will be developed slowly as resources are available. Click here to view the CAAP.

Some earlier work done by DGR using census data is described in some old DGR Review publications. This early work has lead to other special projects such as an ArcView demonstration project for Roswell New Mexico that includes most of the information from the 1990 census, several years of traffic crash, and other data. Selected views from the Roswell ArcView project are presented here in map form. Portions of the actual ArcView database are also available in the ArcView demonstration section of DGR's Web page for downloading.

Please note that the Roswell demonstration project was prepared in 1994 using ArcView Version 1. It has not been updated since. Recently, most municipal and county governments are acquiring ArcView and other GIS facilities as part of State funding made available through the Local Government Division (NMDFA-LGD) for Emergency 911 enhancements. The NM Traffic Safety Bureau and DGR will be providing traffic crash and other data to these local governments in ArcView form in the future. The Roswell demonstration project and other work since 1994 will ensure that local governments will have access to this information as they develop their own GIS facilities to use it.

More recently, DGR is preparing a special ArcView demonstration project for the New Mexico Health Policy Commission (HPC) that includes census and demographic information obtained from several sources. Selected views from this HPC project are presented here in map form. Portions of the actual ArcView database may eventually (once the NM HPC approves the release) be available in the ArcView demonstration section of DGR's Web page for downloading.

In addition, DGR has been concentrating on developing a gravity model based measurement technique useful for assessing geographic access to health care facilities and providers. This technique will use some of the census and demographic data supplied with ESRI's ArcGIS Business Analyst extension to help model and assess "risk factors" inherent in the distribution of health care facilities and providers. Results may be available here as further refinments are made and HPC approves this information for release.

DGR is currently preparing dynamic/interactive mapping and data display facilities using ESRI's ARC IMS. Some demonstrations of these interactive mapping facilites are available from the following links. More can be found on the traffic crash data page.

ArcIMS Demonstrations

The 1990 demonstrations are based on data and census geography derived from the ESRI Data and Maps CD included with ESRI's ArcView GIS. For a description of the demographic data included in the ZIP Code demonstrations you can Cilck here. The 2000 demonstrations are based on data and census geography obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. More 2000 Census data will be available in the future depending on whether resources are available to prepare it in conjunction with other funded projects being conducted at DGR.

1990+ Census and Combined Data Maps

New Mexico, 1996 Average Household Income NM-1996 Average Household Income (30kb)

Roswell, 1990 Population Density Roswell-1990 Population Density (24kb)

Roswell, 1990-1993 DWI Citations Roswell, 1990-1993 DWI Citation Rates (17kb)

For more information: 

     Division of Government Research
     University of New Mexico 
     Onate Hall Suite 116  MSC06 3510 
     Albuquerque, New Mexico  87131
     Phone: (505) 277-3305 
     FAX: (505) 277-7066 
     Email: e-mail

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Last Revised: 10/31/2006 Larry Spear ( e-mail )