Aztec () is a city in, and the county seat of, San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. The city population was 6,126 as of the 2022 census. The Aztec Ruins National Monument is located on the north side of the city.
Geography
Aztec is located at (36.8222261, -107.9928455). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.8%) is water.
Climate
Demographics
Aztec is part of the Farmington, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,378 people, 2,330 households, and 1,589 families residing in the city. The population density was 253.1/km (655.7/mi). There were 2,545 housing units at an average density of 101.0/km (261.6/mi). The racial makeup of the city was 79.23% White, 0.38% African American, 9.31% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 7.53% from other races, and 3.29% from two or more races. 19.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,330 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,110, and the median income for a family was $39,509. Males had a median income of $36,845 versus $17,841 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,750. 17.4% of the population and 14.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 20.6% were under the age of 18 and 15.7% were 65 or older.
Parks and recreation
The City of Aztec has 10 parks for an approximate total of 132 acres. Riverside Park (Community Park, 30.6 acre) Tiger Park (Community Park, 18.9 acre) Minium Park (Community Park 3.9 acre) Hartman Park (Sports Complex 27.8 acre) Cap Walls Park (Neighborhood Park 1.7 acre) Florence Park (Neighborhood Park 2.7 acre) Kokopelli Park (Neighborhood Park 0.6 acre) Main Avenue Courtyard (Downtown Park 0.2 acre) Swire-Townsend Refuge (Conservancy Area, 41.8 acre) Rio Animas Park (Conservancy Area 3.8 acre)
In addition, there are over 16.5 miles (26.5 km) of trails established. Trail surfaces vary from concrete sidewalks to wood mulch, gravel and earthen construction.
Government
The City of Aztec practices a commission-manager form of government as established in the New Mexico state statutes. The five commissioners are elected from each of the five districts. The mayor and mayor pro-tem are elected among the five commissioners.
Education
Aztec Municipal Schools serves the City of Aztec and rural areas in northeastern San Juan County.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Air
General aviation service is available at the Aztec Municipal Airport. The nearest commercial air service is at the Durango-La Plata County Airport, northeast of Aztec.
Highways
New Mexico Highway 516 is a southwest-northeast connector between Farmington and U.S. Highway 550 in Aztec. U.S. Highway 550 runs north-south through Aztec. It is one of the primary connectors from San Juan County to central New Mexico, Interstate 25, Albuquerque, and (via I-25) the capital city of Santa Fe.
Utliities
Water
Water comes from surface water sources, including the Aztec Ditch, Lower Animas Ditch, and the Animas River. The city maintains its own water treatment plant.
Electricity
Electricity is maintained by the Aztec Electric Department. It has a compact electric system with 39 miles of distribution line. The city does not own any generation facilities; however, it does own a short segment of 69 kV transmission line within its service territory, and it receives all of its power through a single substation. As of 2023, the city purchases all of its demand and energy requirements from a combination of contracts with the Western Area Power Association (WAPA) and the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM).