Fact Sheet
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos, New Mexico is a small community that possesses a world-wide reputation for scientific and technological development. Los Alamos community life features small-town living with friendly neighbors, low crime and an excellent school system. Cultural and recreational opportunities abound, with plenty of hiking and biking trails, skiing at the local Pajarito Ski Mountain, and visits to nearby Valles Caldera National Preserve, and Bandelier National Monument. The County has received recognition as one of the “Best Small Towns in the USA” in past years – consistently ranking high in the “Top 10” listing (American Cities Business Journal).
Climate/Geographical Information
Los Alamos is located on the Pajarito Plateau, in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. It is about 90 miles north of Albuquerque, 35 miles from Santa Fe, and 55 miles from Taos.
At 7,355 feet altitude, Los Alamos is “big pine” country. We have a mild, four-season climate. Summers have moderately warm days and cool nights. Afternoon temperatures are in the 70's and 80's and infrequently reach 90 degrees. The relatively thin air, light winds, clear skies and dry atmosphere cause nighttime temperatures to drop to the 50's even after the warmest day. Winters are typically short with many mild, sunny days. There is usually just enough snow in the winter to support the local ski area. The annual maximum average temperature is 70 degrees and the average minimum is 42. Los Alamos is surrounded by National Forest, National Park, Pueblo, and other Federal lands. It is the smallest county in New Mexico at 109 square miles.
Population/People
The population of Los Alamos is approximately 18,000 people. There are two communities in the County: the townsite of Los Alamos has about 11,000 residents and another 7,000 residents live in the community of White Rock a few miles away from Los Alamos. About 190,000 people live within a forty-mile radius of Los Alamos. Los Alamos National Laboratory is the largest employer in the County. Approximately 7,000 people commute to the Laboratory from other areas of Northern New Mexico and the Santa Fe area.
The people of Los Alamos have among the highest levels of educational attainment of any community anywhere. 53% possess college degrees and nearly 30% possess graduate degrees. Our public school district is in the top 4% in the nation. The University of New Mexico has a branch here, and the community has a large home-schooled population.
County Government
The Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos is the governing body of Los Alamos County and was created by the Los Alamos County Charter. The Council consists of seven members elected at large for four-year, staggered terms. Each year the Council elects a Chair and Vice-Chair from within its membership. An incorporated county is established under a special provision of the state constitution. Los Alamos County has both county and municipal authority and powers. Los Alamos County has also adopted a home rule charter, which allows the County to depart from certain statutory requirements. Under the Charter, the Council is the governing body of the County.
The County employs over 500 people. Public utilities (water, sewer, gas) are managed by the County, along with other municipal services such as Fire, Police, Community Development, Public Works, Engineering, Solid Waste, Parks and Recreation, and the local Airport. Much of the infrastructure was created during the Manhattan Project in the 1940s and turned over later to the County by the Atomic Energy Commission.