Hobbs, New Mexico
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Hobbs is a city in Lea County,
New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
, United States. Its population was 40,508 at the 2020 census, increasing from 34,122 in 2010. Hobbs is the principal city of the Hobbs, New Mexico micropolitan statistical area, which includes all of Lea County.


History

Hobbs was founded in 1907 when James Isaac Hobbs (1852–1923) established a
homestead Homestead may refer to: *Homestead (buildings), a farmhouse and its adjacent outbuildings; by extension, it can mean any small cluster of houses * Homestead (unit), a unit of measurement equal to 160 acres *Homestead principle, a legal concept t ...
and named the settlement. In 1910, the Hobbs post office opened, with James Hobbs as the first postmaster. By 1911, there were about 25 landowners in Hobbs. /ref> The_small,_isolated_settlement_expanded_rapidly_following_the_discovery_of_oil_by_the_Midwest_Oil_Company_in_1927._A_refinery_was_built_the_following_year,_and_in_1929,_the_town_of_Hobbs_was_officially_incorporated._At_the_peak_of_this_oil_boom,_over_12,000_people_lived_in_Hobbs._When_the_Great_Depression_in_the_United_States.html" "title="refinery.html" ;"title="/ref> The small, isolated settlement expanded rapidly following the discovery of oil by the Midwest Oil Company in 1927. A refinery">/ref> The small, isolated settlement expanded rapidly following the discovery of oil by the Midwest Oil Company in 1927. A refinery was built the following year, and in 1929, the town of Hobbs was officially incorporated. At the peak of this oil boom, over 12,000 people lived in Hobbs. When the Great Depression in the United States">Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
hit, oil prices dropped and the population fell to only about 3,000 in 1931. However, a few years later, activity picked up in the oilfields and the population climbed to about 14,000 in 1940. On June 23, 1938, seven local men were killed and five more injured when an explosive charge used in oil drilling detonated prematurely. Following the outbreak of World War II, Hobbs Army Airfield was built north of town in 1942. In 1948, the city bought the air base and converted it into the Hobbs Industrial Air Park, which is still used for gliding, soaring competitions. The first college in Hobbs opened in 1956. It was initially the First Baptist College, and in 1962, it became the College of the Southwest. The name was changed again to
University of the Southwest The University of the Southwest is a private Christian university located in Hobbs, New Mexico. The university was incorporated under as College of the Southwest in 1962, although the college had existed for several years prior as a two-year ...
in 2008. A second college,
New Mexico Junior College New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is a public junior college in unincorporated Lea County, New Mexico, near Hobbs. History and campus New Mexico Junior College first opened in the fall of 1966. With a current enrollment of 3,375. The campus ...
, opened in 1966. An ordinance was passed in Hobbs in November 2022 to prevent abortion clinics from operating.


Geography

Hobbs is in eastern Lea County, less than west of the
Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
border. U.S. Routes 62/
180 __NOTOC__ Year 180 ( CLXXX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Rusticus and Condianus (or, less frequently, year 933 '' Ab ...
pass through the city, leading east to Seminole, Texas, and west to Carlsbad. State Road 18 also passes through Hobbs, leading northwest to Lovington, the Lea
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US st ...
, and south to
Kermit, Texas Kermit is a city in and the county seat of Winkler County, Texas, Winkler County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,708 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. The city was named after Kermit Roosevelt following a visit by his fathe ...
. According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the city of Hobbs has a total area of , of which , or 0.14%, is covered by water. Land in the city drains either east to Seminole Draw or southeast to Monument Draw, both of which are tributaries of Mustang Draw in Texas and ultimately part of the
Colorado River The Colorado River ( es, Río Colorado) is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The river drains an expansive, arid drainage basin, watershed that encompasses parts of ...
watershed.


Climate

Hobbs, like many parts of eastern New Mexico, has a
semiarid climate A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of semi-ar ...
(
Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
''BSk''). The city experiences hot summers and chilly winters. With around 70% of precipitation coming in the high solar half of the year, Hobbs may also be defined as a dry-winter
humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between latitudes 25° and 40° ...
(
Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
''Cwa'').


Demographics


2020 census

As of the
2020 United States Census The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to of ...
, there were 40,508 people, 12,028 households, and 8,572 families residing in the city.


2010 census

As of 2010, 33,405 people, 10,040 households, and 7,369 families were residing in the city. The population density was 1,514.0 people per square mile (584.5/km). The 11,968 housing units averaged 632.3 per mi2 (244.1/km). The
racial makeup A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the city was 63.5% White, 6.8% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 24.5% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 42.18% of the population. Of the 10,040 households, 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were not families. About 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72, and the average family size was 3.22. In the city, the age distribution was 30.4% under 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $28,100, and for a family was $33,017. Males had a median income of $31,352 versus $20,841 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,209. About 20.2% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.3% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.


Economy

The largest industries in Hobbs are mining/quarrying and oil and gas extraction, followed by retail trade and educational services. Hobbs is also home to Zia Park, a racetrack, hotel and casino with over 750 slot machines and table games.


Arts and culture

Located in Hobbs are the headquarters of the
Soaring Society of America The Soaring Society of America (SSA) was founded at the instigation of Warren E. Eaton to promote the sport of soaring in the USA and internationally. The first meeting was held in New York City in the McGraw–Hill Building on February 20, 193 ...
and Zia Park Casino, Hotel, and Racetrack, which offers live and simulcast racing, casino games, dining, and a 154-room hotel. The property is owned and operated by
Penn National Gaming, Inc. Penn Entertainment, Inc., formerly Penn National Gaming, is an American entertainment company and operator of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino, casino gaming. It operates 43 properties in 20 states, online sports betting in 14 ...


Transportation

Lea County Regional Airport Lea County Regional Airport (Lea County-Hobbs Airport) is four miles (6.4 km) west of Hobbs, in Lea County, New Mexico, United States. The airport covers and has three runways. It is an FAA certified commercial airport served by United A ...
serves Hobbs with one commercial passenger airline flying to it.


Education

*
University of the Southwest The University of the Southwest is a private Christian university located in Hobbs, New Mexico. The university was incorporated under as College of the Southwest in 1962, although the college had existed for several years prior as a two-year ...
is a private, four-year Christian university *
New Mexico Junior College New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is a public junior college in unincorporated Lea County, New Mexico, near Hobbs. History and campus New Mexico Junior College first opened in the fall of 1966. With a current enrollment of 3,375. The campus ...
is a public junior college
Hobbs Municipal Schools Hobbs Municipal Schools (HMS) is a school district based in Hobbs, New Mexico. In addition to Hobbs it serves Monument, Nadine, and North Hobbs. History Circa 2015 the number of students increased to 10,000, but declined after a decline in the ...
is the local school district. *
Hobbs High School Hobbs High School (HHS) is located in Hobbs, New Mexico, United States. It had a student population of about 1900 students as of 2017. In addition to Hobbs it serves Monument, Nadine, and North Hobbs. Ralph Tasker coached basketball at HHS ...
*
CTECH ''Calcalist'' ( he, כלכליסט, a Hebrew wordplay on ''The Economist'', from כלכלה) is an Israeli daily business newspaper and website. History and profile ''Calcalist'' was first published on 18 February 2008, and currently runs five d ...
Vocational campus


Notable people

*
Tony Benford Tony L. Benford (born March 22, 1964) is an American basketball coach who is an assistant coach of the TCU Horned Frogs men's basketball team. Biography A native of Hobbs, New Mexico — and 1982 graduate of Hobbs High School — Benford played ...
, assistant coach with TCU's men's basketball team * Ryan Bingham, country singer/songwriter * Bill Bridges, professional basketball player * James O. Browning, federal judge *
Diane Denish Diane Daniels Denish ( ; born March 7, 1949) is an American politician, who was the 28th Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico, lieutenant governor of New Mexico. She was elected in 2002, running on the same ticket as Governor Bill Richardson, and wa ...
, former lieutenant governor of New Mexico *
Tharon Drake Tharon Drake is an American swimmer. He is the current U.S. record-holder in S11 class in 50m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m and 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley (short course); 50m and 100m breaststroke (short course); 50m, 1 ...
, swimmer, U.S. Paralympic medalist 2016 * Rob Evans, former head basketball coach at the University of Mississippi and Arizona State University *
Colt McCoy Daniel "Colt" McCoy (born September 5, 1986) is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas, where he won several awards and honors as a senior in 2009. McC ...
, NFL quarterback * Steve Pearce, former Republican congressman for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district * Guy Penrod, gospel singer *
Timmy Smith Timothy LaRay Smith (born January 21, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for th ...
, former NFL player * Ralph Tasker, high school basketball coach * Jeff Taylor and son
Jeffery Taylor Jeffery Matthew Taylor (born May 23, 1989) is a Swedish-American professional basketball player for BC Wolves of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). He played college basketball for Vanderbilt University, before being drafted 31st overall b ...
, professional basketball players * Harry Teague, former Democratic congressman for
New Mexico's 2nd congressional district New Mexico's 2nd congressional district serves the southern half of New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Roswell, and the southern fourth of Albuquerque. Geographically, it is the fifth-largest district in the nation and the largest to not co ...
* Scott Terry, former pitcher for the
Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
* Polo Urias, singer


See also

*
Hobbs, Texas Hobbs is an unincorporated community in west Fisher County, Texas, United States. It is located at the intersection of Farm to Market Roads 611 and 1614, about east of Snyder. It lies within the physiographic region known as the Rolling Plains ...
* Eastern New Mexico


References


External links

* {{authority control Cities in New Mexico Cities in Lea County, New Mexico Micropolitan areas of New Mexico Populated places established in 1907 1907 establishments in New Mexico Territory