History of New Mexico in Timeline
New Mexico is a state located in the Southwestern United States, part of the Mountain States and sharing the Four Corners region. It borders Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma, and has an international border with Mexico. Albuquerque is its largest city, while Santa Fe is the state capital, the oldest and highest in the U.S., having been founded in 1610.
1906: El Morro Proclaimed a National Monument
In 1906, El Morro in New Mexico was proclaimed a national monument, preserving the state's ancient indigenous heritage.
1906: El Morro National Monument Creation
In 1906, El Morro was created as the second oldest national monument.
1907: Gila Cliff Dwellings Proclaimed a National Monument
In 1907, Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico was proclaimed a national monument, preserving the state's ancient indigenous heritage.
1907: Gila Cliff Dwellings Proclaimed
In 1907, Gila Cliff Dwellings was proclaimed a national monument.
1911: Original State Constitution
In 1911, New Mexico's original state constitution required all laws be published in both English and Spanish for twenty years after ratification.
1911: Constitution of New Mexico Adopted
In 1911, the Constitution of New Mexico was adopted by popular referendum, establishing a republican form of government.
January 6, 1912: New Mexico Admitted to the Union
On January 6, 1912, New Mexico was admitted to the Union as the 47th state, playing a central role in U.S. westward expansion.
1912: New Mexico's Statehood Delay
Before becoming a state in 1912, New Mexico was among the few U.S. territories that was predominately nonwhite, contributing to its delayed admission into the Union.
1912: Territorial Evolution
In 1912, before statehood, the name "New Mexico" loosely applied to various configurations of territories in the same general area, evolving throughout different periods.
1912: Establishment of the Land Grant Permanent Fund
In 1912, the Land Grant Permanent Fund (LGPF) was established in New Mexico upon statehood. The fund derives revenue from oil, gas, and mining operations and is primarily earmarked for public schools.
1912: Statehood Presidential Election
Since achieving statehood in 1912, New Mexico has been carried by the national popular vote winner in every presidential election except in 1976 and 2024.
1914: Rail Transportation Height
In 1914, New Mexico's rail transportation system reached its peak, with eleven railroads operating 3,124 route miles.
1922: Soledad Chávez Chacón Elected Secretary of State
In 1922, Soledad Chávez Chacón was the first woman elected secretary of state of New Mexico, and the first Hispanic woman elected to statewide office in the United States.
1923: New Mexico Magazine launched
In 1923, the New Mexico government launched New Mexico Magazine, the nation's first state publication, to promote tourism.
1924: Native Americans Gain Citizenship
In 1924, Congress passed a law granting all Native Americans U.S. citizenship and the right to vote in federal and state elections.
1924: Gila Wilderness Designation
In 1924, Gila Wilderness was designated the world's first wilderness area in New Mexico.
1926: Highway construction
In 1926, most of the U.S. routes in New Mexico were built by the state government.
1927: KiMo Theater Built
In 1927, the KiMo Theater was built in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the Pueblo Revival Style architecture. The KiMo presents live theater, concerts, movies and simulcast operas.
1928: Major Oil Discovery near Hobbs
In 1928, a major oil discovery near Hobbs brought greater wealth to New Mexico, especially in Lea County, and was called "the most important single discovery of oil in New Mexico's history".
1931: Renewal of Law Publication Requirement
In 1931, the requirement to publish laws in both English and Spanish was renewed.
1935: Spanish Permitted in Legislature
Until 1935, Spanish was permitted in the legislature.
1937: Creamland brand founded
In 1937, Dean Foods founded the Creamland brand in New Mexico to expand the Albuquerque Dairy Association's cooperative dairy venture.
1940: Nonwhite Population
As early as 1940, roughly half the population of New Mexico was estimated to be nonwhite.
1943: Renewal of Law Publication Requirement
In 1943, the requirement to publish laws in both English and Spanish was renewed again.
1947: Roswell Incident
Following the 1947 Roswell incident, New Mexico became a center for unidentified flying objects.
1948: Veteran Challenges Voting Restrictions
In 1948, after veteran Miguel Trujillo Sr. was told he could not register to vote, he filed suit against the county, resulting in a ruling against New Mexico's discriminatory voting provisions against Native Americans.
1948: First rocket to reach space
In 1948, the first rocket to reach space was launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, marking an important milestone in the early stages of space exploration and rocket development.
1953: End of Bilingual Law Publication
In 1953, some sources stated the state was officially bilingual until this point.
May 22, 1957: Accidental Nuclear Bomb Drop
On May 22, 1957, a B-36 accidentally dropped a nuclear bomb 4.5 miles from the control tower while landing at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque.
1960: New Mexico Population Growth
By 1960, New Mexico's population nearly doubled to over 954,000.
January 13, 1963: Coldest Temperature in New Mexico
On January 13, 1963, the lowest recorded temperature in New Mexico was −57 °F (−49 °C) at Ciniza (near Jamestown).
1964: Lyndon B. Johnson Win
The 1992 election of Bill Clinton marked the first time New Mexico was won by a Democrat since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
1969: MITS Founded
In 1969, personal computer company MITS, which was founded in Albuquerque, brought about the "microcomputer revolution" with the development of the first commercially successful microcomputer, the Altair 8800.
1970: One of Our 50 Is Missing Feature
Since 1970, New Mexico Magazine has had a standing feature, One of Our 50 Is Missing, which relates anecdotes about people not realizing New Mexico is a state.
May 1, 1971: Amtrak Begins Operation
On May 1, 1971, Amtrak, also known as the National Passenger Railroad Corporation, began operating two extant long-distance routes in New Mexico.
1973: Creation of the Severance Tax Permanent Fund
In 1973, the Severance Tax Permanent Fund (STPF) was created in New Mexico during an oil boom. The fund is derived from oil, gas and mining operations and all distributions are allocated to the LGPF.
1975: Microsoft Founded
In 1975, two MITS employees, Paul Allen and Bill Gates, later founded Microsoft in the city.
1976: Presidential Election Exception
Since achieving statehood in 1912, New Mexico has been carried by the national popular vote winner in every presidential election except in 1976 and 2024.
1978: Medical Marijuana Legislation
In 1978, New Mexico was the first state to pass legislation allowing the medical use of marijuana in some form, albeit restricted to a federal research program.
1980: Intel Operations
Multinational technology company Intel, which has had operations in Rio Rancho since 1980.
1983: The Gathering of Nations Began
In 1983, the annual Gathering of Nations began. It is described as the largest pow wow in the U.S., drawing hundreds of native tribes from across North America.
1985: U.S. 66 replaced by I-40
In 1985, U.S. Route 66, also known as the "Mother Road", which connected Albuquerque and Gallup, was replaced by Interstate 40.
1987: U.S. Mineral Leasing Act Amendment
Since the last amendment to the U.S. Mineral Leasing Act in 1987, New Mexico had by far the lowest percent of land sold for the minimum statutory amount of $2 per acre, at just 3%.
1989: English Plus Resolution
In 1989, New Mexico became the first of only four states to officially adopt the English Plus resolution, which supports acceptance of non-English languages.
1992: First Democratic Win Since 1964
The 1992 election of Bill Clinton marked the first time New Mexico was won by a Democrat since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
June 27, 1994: Hottest Temperature in New Mexico
On June 27, 1994, the highest temperature recorded in New Mexico was 122 °F (50 °C) at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Loving.
1995: Gary Johnson Governor
Gary Johnson was governor from 1995 to 2003 as a Republican.
1995: Official Bilingual Song
In 1995, the state adopted an official bilingual song, "New Mexico – Mi Lindo Nuevo México".
1996: State Lottery Scholarship Instated
In 1996, New Mexico instated a college scholarship funded through the state lottery, initially covering 100% of tuition for eligible residents.
1999: Governor Endorses Drug Legalization
In 1999, Republican Governor Gary Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the U.S. to publicly endorse drug legalization.
2000: Highway statistics for New Mexico
As of 2000, New Mexico had 59,927 route miles of highway, of which 7,037 received federal aid, and 1,003 miles of freeways.
2000: New Mexico Population Increase
Between 2000 and 2010, New Mexico's population increased by 11.7% from 1,819,046.
2000: Poverty Increase
From 2000 to 2010, the number of persons in poverty increased to 400,779.
2000: Al Gore Carries New Mexico
2000: Railroad Route Miles
In 2000, New Mexico had 2,354 route miles of railroads.
2000: Highest Concentration of PhD Holders
In 2000, New Mexico had the highest concentration of PhD holders of any state in the US due to its low population and numerous federally funded research facilities.
2000: Highway traffic fatality rate
In 2000, the highway traffic fatality rate in New Mexico was 1.9 per million miles traveled, the 13th highest rate among U.S. states.
2000: Value of Oil and Gas Produced
In 2000, the value of oil and gas produced was $8.2 billion.
2001: Highway bridge conditions in New Mexico
As of 2001, 703 highway bridges in New Mexico, or one percent, were declared "structurally deficient" or "structurally obsolete".
2003: Gary Johnson Governor
Gary Johnson was governor from 1995 to 2003 as a Republican.
2003: U.S. 666 Renamed
In 2003, U.S. Route 666, referred to as the "Devil's Highway", was renamed U.S. Route 491 due to its controversial designation.
2004: George W. Bush Wins New Mexico
In 2004, George W. Bush won New Mexico by less than 6,000 votes.
2005: Military spending's impact on employment
A 2005 study by New Mexico State University estimated that 11.7% of the state's total employment arose directly or indirectly from military spending.
2005: Poverty Level
In 2005, the percentage of persons below the poverty level was 18.4%.
2005: Property Tax Rates in New Mexico
In the 2005 tax year, the average millage for property tax in New Mexico was about 26.47 for residential property and 29.80 for non-residential property.
2006: Share of US Oil and Gas Production
In 2006, New Mexico accounted for 3.4% of the crude oil, 8.5% of the dry natural gas, and 10.2% of the natural gas liquids produced in the United States.
2006: Rail Runner Extension to Santa Fe
In 2006, the Rail Runner's extension to Santa Fe was opened, increasing the number of railroad route miles in New Mexico.
2006: Suborbital Flights Launched from Spaceport America
Since 2006, over 300 suborbital flights have been successfully launched from Spaceport America.
2006: New Mexico Rail Runner Express Service
Since 2006, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, a state-owned, privately run commuter railway, has served the Albuquerque metropolitan area, connecting the city proper with Santa Fe and other communities.
April 2007: Rocket Launches Begin at Spaceport America
Rocket launches began in April 2007 at Spaceport America, the world's first operational and purpose-built commercial spaceport in Upham, New Mexico.
2007: Wild Hogs Filmed in Madrid
In 2007, Madrid, New Mexico gained national fame as the filming location for the movie Wild Hogs.
2007: Medicinal Marijuana Legalized
In 2007, Medicinal marijuana was fully legalized in New Mexico, making it the 12th state to do so, and the fourth via legislative action.
2007: Per Capita Personal Income
In 2007, the per capita personal income was $31,474.
2007: Financial crisis start
The 2007-2008 financial crisis had a major impact on the state of New Mexico.
2008: Law Enforcement Agencies
Based on 2008 data, New Mexico had 146 law enforcement agencies across the state, county, and municipal levels.
2008: Navajo Textbook Adopted
In 2008, New Mexico was the first state to officially adopt a Navajo textbook for use in public schools.
2008: Rail Runner System Expanded
In 2008, the Rail Runner system in New Mexico expanded with the addition of the BNSF Railway's line from Belen to a few miles south of Lamy.
2008: Financial crisis
The 2007-2008 financial crisis had a major impact on the state of New Mexico.
2008: Transition to Democratic Stronghold
The 2008 election of Barack Obama marked New Mexico's transition into a Democratic stronghold.
July 2009: Alcohol-related crash rates
According to the Los Angeles Times, by July 2009, New Mexico's alcohol-related crash rates had decreased, ranking 25th nationally.
2009: Abolishment of Capital Punishment
New Mexico became the 15th state to abolish capital punishment in 2009.
2010: Largest Denominations
According to Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA), the largest denominations in 2010 were the Catholic Church (684,941 members); the Southern Baptist Convention (113,452); The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (67,637), and the United Methodist Church (36,424).
2010: U.S. Census on Language
According to the 2010 U.S. census, 28.5% of the population age 5 and older in New Mexico speak Spanish at home, while 3.5% speak Navajo.
2010: Gross Domestic Product
In 2010, New Mexico's gross domestic product was roughly $80 billion.
2010: Poverty Figures
In 2010, the number of persons in poverty was recorded.
2011: Spaceport America Officially Opens
In 2011, Spaceport America officially opened in Upham, New Mexico; tenants include HAPSMobile, UP Aerospace, SpinLaunch, and Virgin Galactic.
2011: Front Range Commuter Rail Inactive
In 2011, the Front Range Commuter Rail, established in 2004, became inactive.
2012: Gary Johnson Presidential Run
In 2012 and 2016, Gary Johnson ran for president from the Libertarian Party.
2012: Obama Wins New Mexico Again
In 2012, Barack Obama won New Mexico again.
2012: Decline in Immigrant Population
In 2012, New Mexico was the only state to see a decline in its immigrant population between 2012 and 2022.
December 2013: Same-Sex Marriage Legalized
In December 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling directing all county clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, thereby making New Mexico the 17th state to recognize same-sex marriage statewide.
2013: BioScience Center Opening
In 2013, the opening of a BioScience Center in Albuquerque, the state's first private incubator for biotechnology startups. New Mexicans have since founded roughly 150 bioscience companies, which have received more patents than any other sector.
2013: Hispanic Live Births
Since 2013, the majority of live births in New Mexico have been to Hispanic whites, with Hispanics of any race consistently accounting for over half of all live births.
2015: Traffic fatalities
Between 2015 and 2019, nearly 1,900 people were killed in automotive crashes in New Mexico.
January 2016: New Mexico Sues EPA
In January 2016, New Mexico sued the United States Environmental Protection Agency over negligence after the 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill.
2016: Gary Johnson Presidential Run
In 2012 and 2016, Gary Johnson ran for president from the Libertarian Party.
2016: Hillary Clinton Wins New Mexico
In 2016, Hillary Clinton won New Mexico.
2017: Pew Research Center Survey on Religiosity
According to a 2017 survey by the Pew Research Center, New Mexico ranks 18th among the 50 U.S. states in religiosity, 63% of respondents stating they believe in God with certainty, with an additional 20% being fairly certain of the existence of God, while 59% considering religion to be important in their lives and another 20% believe it to be somewhat important.
2017: New Mexico ranked first in chile pepper acreage
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, New Mexico ranked first in the nation for chile pepper acreage, with Doña Ana and Luna counties placing first and second among U.S. counties in this regard.
2017: S&P Global Rating
As of 2017, New Mexico had an S&P Global Rating of AA+.
2017: Bioscience Authority Established
In 2017, New Mexico established the Bioscience Authority to foster local industry development.
2017: Discovery of Early Human Footprints
In 2017, footprints discovered in New Mexico suggested that humans may have been present in the region as long ago as 21,000–23,000 BC.
2017: Lowest Student Debt Burdens
In 2017, graduates of four-year colleges in New Mexico had some of the lowest student debt burdens in the U.S., averaging $21,237.
2017: Child poverty rate in New Mexico
In 2017, nearly 30% of New Mexico's children were in poverty, 40% higher than the national average.
2017: State Lottery Scholarship Decreased
In 2017, the New Mexico lottery scholarship, which originally covered 100% of tuition, decreased to 60%.
2017: Rise in Annual Visitors
Since 2017, New Mexico has seen a steady rise in the number of annual visitors.
2018: US became Largest Producer of Crude Oil
By 2018 hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling since the mid-2010s led to a large increase in the production of crude oil, the United States became the world's largest producer of crude oil again.
2018: Netflix Production Hub
In 2018, Netflix chose New Mexico for its first U.S. production hub, pledging to spend over $1 billion over the next decade to create one of the largest film studios in North America at Albuquerque Studios.
2018: Herrell Narrowly Lost Congressional District
In 2018, Republican Herrell narrowly lost to Democrat Xochitl Torres Small in New Mexico's Second Congressional District.
2018: Landmark Ruling on Education Rights
In 2018, a state judge ruled that New Mexico was violating the constitutional rights of at-risk students by not providing them with sufficient education.
2018: Top Countries of Origin for Immigrants
In 2018, the top countries of origin for New Mexico's immigrants were Mexico, the Philippines, India, Germany and Cuba.
2018: State Lottery Scholarship Value Increased
In 2018, the value of the New Mexico lottery scholarship slightly increased, and new legislation was passed to outline available funds per institution type.
2018: New Mexico Most Popular Retirement Destination
New Mexico ranked as the most popular retirement destination in 2018, with an estimated 42% of new residents being retired.
2018: New Mexico Leadership
Since 2018, New Mexico has been led by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, both of the Democratic Party.
January 1, 2019: Lujan Grisham Succeeded Martinez
On January 1, 2019, Michelle Lujan Grisham succeeded two-term Republican governor Susana Martinez.
April 2019: Response to Education Ruling
In April 2019, in response to a court ruling, New Mexico increased teacher salaries, funded an extended school year, expanded prekindergarten childhood education programs, and developed a budget formula for delivering more funding to schools that serve at-risk and low-income students.
September 2019: Free Tuition Plan Announced
In September 2019, New Mexico announced a plan to make tuition free at its public colleges and universities for all state residents.
2019: Media Program
A program enacted in 2019 provides benefits to media companies that commit to investing in the state for at least a decade and that use local talent, crew, and businesses.
2019: Federal investment in Los Alamos National Laboratory
As of 2019, the Los Alamos National Laboratory accounted for 24,000 direct and indirect jobs and over $3 billion in annual federal investment.
2019: Traffic fatalities
Between 2015 and 2019, nearly 1,900 people were killed in automotive crashes in New Mexico.
2019: Road Conditions and Commute Times in New Mexico
Data from 2019 found 207 bridges and more than 3,822 miles of highway in less than subpar condition in New Mexico, resulting in longer commute times and higher vehicle maintenance costs.
2019: New Mexico United Began Playing
In 2019, New Mexico United, a soccer team, began playing in the second tier USL Championship.
2019: Drug Paraphernalia Decriminalized
In 2019, New Mexico was the first U.S. state to decriminalize possession of drug paraphernalia.
2019: Increase in top marginal income tax rate
Per a 2019 law, the top marginal personal income tax rate in New Mexico was increased from 4.9% to 5.9%.
2019: Peak State GDP
State GDP peaked in 2019 at nearly $99 billion but declined in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 11, 2020: First Confirmed COVID-19 Case in New Mexico
On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of New Mexico.
December 23, 2020: COVID-19 Update in New Mexico
On December 23, 2020, the New Mexico Department of Health reported 1,174 new COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths, bringing the cumulative statewide totals to 133,242 cases and 2,243 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
2020: Christian Population
A 2020 study by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) determined 67% of the population were Christian, with Roman Catholics constituting the largest denominational group.
2020: Voting Accessibility Study
A 2020 study ranked New Mexico as the 20th hardest state for citizens to vote due to the inaccessibility of polling stations.
2020: Hispanic Population in New Mexico
According to the 2020 census, Hispanic and Latino Americans account for nearly half the state's population, at 47.7%.
2020: Valuation of Permanent Funds
As of 2020, the Land Grant Permanent Fund in New Mexico was valued at $21.6 billion, while the Severance Tax Permanent Fund was worth $5.8 billion.
2020: New Mexico Population Growth
Between 2000 and 2020, New Mexico added over 400,000 residents.
2020: Census data on multiracial population
Census data from 2020 found that 19.9% of the population identifies as multiracial/mixed-race, a population larger than the Native American, Black, Asian and NHPI population groups. Almost 90% of the multiracial population in New Mexico identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
2020: Economic Impact from Film Tax Credit
During fiscal years 2020–2023, the total direct economic impact from the film tax credit was $2.36 million.
2020: Doctorate Recipients in New Mexico
In 2020, New Mexico had 300 doctorate recipients, placing the state 34th in the nation.
2020: Native American Population Statistics
In 2020, New Mexico had the fourth largest Native American community in the U.S., at over 200,000, comprising roughly one-tenth of all residents. This is the second largest population by percentage after Alaska.
2020: Herrell Retook Congressional Seat
In 2020, Republican Herrell retook her seat in New Mexico's Second Congressional District.
2020: 2020 Census Results
The 2020 census recorded New Mexico's population at 2,117,522, an increase of 2.8% from the 2010 census.
2020: Poverty Rate Recorded
The 2020 census recorded a poverty rate of 18.2% in New Mexico, the third highest among U.S. states.
January 2021: Minimum wage increase approved
In January 2021, the New Mexico government approved a minimum wage increase to $10.50, higher than the federal minimum wage.
March 1, 2021: Santa Fe County enacted a "Living Wage Ordinance"
On March 1, 2021, Santa Fe County enacted a "Living Wage Ordinance", mandating a minimum wage of $12.32.
April 2021: Cannabis Legalization
In April 2021, New Mexico became the 18th state to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
May 22, 2021: Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Launch
On May 22, 2021, Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity launched from Spaceport America, making New Mexico the third U.S. state to launch humans into space.
June 2021: Unemployment rate in New Mexico
The unemployment rate for June 2021 in New Mexico was 7.9%, tied with Connecticut as the highest in the country.
July 2021: Population Decrease in New Mexico
From July 2021 to July 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated a slight decrease in New Mexico's population.
July 2021: Oil Production Overtakes North Dakota
In July 2021, New Mexico overtook North Dakota in oil production and is expected to continue expanding.
August 2021: Santa Fe announced a one-year pilot program
In August 2021, Santa Fe announced a one-year pilot program to provide a $400 monthly "stability stipend" to 100 parents under 30 attending Santa Fe Community College.
October 22, 2021: Vacuum-Sealed Suborbital Accelerator Tested
On October 22, 2021, Spaceport America was the site of the first successfully tested vacuum-sealed "suborbital accelerator", conducted by Spaceport tenant SpinLaunch.
2021: Tax Foundation analysis of business tax climate
A 2021 analysis by the Tax Foundation ranked New Mexico 23rd in business tax climate, with its property taxes being the least burdensome in the U.S.
2021: Report on New Mexico's Slow Growth
A report commissioned in 2021 by the New Mexico Legislature attributed the state's slow population growth to a negative net migration rate and a decline in the birth rate.
2021: Gross Domestic Product and Per Capita Personal Income
As of 2021, New Mexico's gross domestic product was over $95 billion, and the per capita personal income was slightly over $45,800.
2021: Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) rate range
As of 2021, the combined Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) rate in New Mexico ranged from 5.125% to 9.063%.
2021: Immigrant Origins
As of 2021, the vast majority of immigrants in New Mexico came from Mexico (67.6%), followed by the Philippines (3.1%) and Germany (2.4%).
2021: New Mexico chile sales close to $40 million
In 2021, New Mexico chile sold close to $40 million, while dry beans accounted for $7.6 million that year.
2021: Repeal of Trigger Law
In 2021, New Mexico repealed a 1969 "trigger law" that had banned most abortion procedures.
2021: Record-Breaking Tourism
In 2021, New Mexico saw a record-breaking 39.2 million tourists, which had a total economic income of $10 billion.
2021: Record-breaking tourism in New Mexico
In 2021, New Mexico welcomed a record-breaking 39.2 million tourists, marking a steady rise in annual visitors since the mid-2000s.
2021: Taxation in New Mexico
In 2021, Personal income tax rates ranged from 1.7% to 5.9% within five income brackets.
2021: Federal spending in New Mexico
In 2021, the federal government spent $2.48 on New Mexico for every dollar of tax revenue collected from the state, and New Mexico received $9,624 per resident in federal services.
2021: NBCUniversal Television Film Studio
NBCUniversal followed suit in 2021 with the opening of its own television film studio in the city, committing to spend $500 million in direct production and employ 330 full-time equivalent local jobs over the next decade.
January 1, 2022: Minimum wage increase scheduled
The New Mexico minimum wage was set to increase to $11.50 on January 1, 2022.
January 2022: National Guardsmen as Substitute Teachers
In January 2022, New Mexico became the first state in the U.S. to recruit national guardsmen and state workers to serve as substitute teachers due to staffing shortages caused by COVID-19.
March 1, 2022: Increased Salaries and Benefits for Teachers
On March 1, 2022, Governor Grisham signed into law four bills to increase the salaries and benefits of teachers and other school staff in New Mexico, especially in entry-level positions.
March 2022: Free College Tuition Bill Passed
In March 2022, New Mexico became the first state to offer free college tuition for all residents, by passing a bill that allocates almost 1 percent of the state budget to cover tuition and fees at public colleges, universities, community colleges, and tribal colleges.
June 2022: Permissive Abortion Laws
As of June 2022, New Mexico has one of the nation's most permissive abortion laws.
July 1, 2022: Free College Tuition Program Takes Effect
On July 1, 2022, New Mexico's free college tuition program takes effect, covering tuition and fees at all 29 public colleges, universities, community colleges, and tribal colleges for all residents regardless of income, work status, or legal status.
July 2022: Population Estimate
The population for July 2022 was recorded.
November 2022: State Investment Council commits to America's Frontier Fund
In November 2022, the New Mexico State Investment Council committed $100 million to America's Frontier Fund (AFF), which focuses on technologies like microelectronics, semiconductors, AI, new energy, synthetic biology, and quantum sciences.
2022: Poor roads and traffic fatalities
A 2022 report cited poor road conditions as a major factor in New Mexico's high traffic fatalities.
2022: Homeless Population Estimate
According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 2,560 homeless people in New Mexico.
2022: American Community Survey
According to the 2022 American Community Survey, data about the most commonly claimed ancestry groups in New Mexico was collected.
2022: Film and Television Expenditures Record
According to the New Mexico Film Office, in 2022, film and television expenditures reached the highest recorded level at over $855 million, compared to $624 million the previous year.
2022: Unaffiliated Population
Among New Mexico's population in 2022, 31% were unaffiliated with any religion.
2022: Vasquez Defeated Herrell
In 2022, Democrat Gabe Vasquez defeated Republican Herrell in New Mexico's Second Congressional District.
2022: Social Mobility Index Ranking
In 2022, New Mexico ranked 13th in the Social Mobility Index (SMI), which measures access to colleges and universities for economically disadvantaged students.
2022: Proportion of Foreign-born Residents
In 2022, a little over 9% of New Mexican residents are foreign-born, and an additional 6.0% of U.S.-born residents live with at least one immigrant parent. The proportion of foreign-born residents is below the national average of 13.7%.
2022: Curia Expansion Plans
In 2022, pharmaceutical company Curia announced plans to invest $100 million to expand local operations.
January 1, 2023: Minimum wage increase scheduled
The New Mexico minimum wage was set to increase to $12.00 on January 1, 2023.
January 2023: Female Legislators Ranking
As of January 2023, New Mexico ranked sixth in the number of female state legislators (43.8%), with women comprising a majority of the New Mexico House of Representatives (53%) and over a quarter of the Senate (29%).
2023: Agriculture contributes significantly to New Mexico's economy
As of 2023, agriculture contributes $40 billion to New Mexico's economy. The state exports $275 million in agricultural goods and is ranked first in chile pepper production, second in pecans, and fifth in onions.
2023: Economic Impact from Film Tax Credit
During fiscal years 2020–2023, the total direct economic impact from the film tax credit was $2.36 million.
2023: New Mexico's GDP
In 2023, New Mexico's total real gross domestic product (GDP) was over $105 billion, with a GDP per capita of $49,879.
January 2024: Intel Factory Opens
In January 2024, Intel opened its Fab 9 factory in Rio Rancho, part of its commitment to invest $3.5 billion in expanding its operations in the state.
2024: Albuquerque Filmmaker Ranking
In 2024, Albuquerque placed second after Toronto as one of the top "big cities" in North America to live and work as a filmmaker.
2024: Presidential Election Exception
Since achieving statehood in 1912, New Mexico has been carried by the national popular vote winner in every presidential election except in 1976 and 2024.
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