The
terrain of San Miguel County varies widely from 11,800 foot peaks in the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the western portion to broad, flat plains
of less than 4,000 feet in the east.
The sources of the Pecos River and its tributaries flow to the
southeast out of the Sangre de Cristos.
The Canadian River flows through the eastern part of the county
and was dammed to create Conchas Reservoir.
Agriculture,
primarily in the form of cattle ranching, is important to the economy.
Government agencies are a major source of jobs
and include New Mexico Highlands University, Luna Vocational-Technical
Institute, and the Las Vegas Medical Center, all located in the county
seat and largest community, Las Vegas.
San
Miguel measures 4,717 square miles, and the 2000 census reported a population
of 30,126, a density of 6.4 persons per square mile. However, the projected population estimate for 2006, is 29,325. There are 11,134 occupied house units. San Miguel is the twelfth poorest of New Mexico’s
33 counties in income. Per capita
income in 2000 was $13,268, and median household income in 2004, as $27,972.