Located on the edge of the Chihuahua Desert and along the banks of the Rio Grande, Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico with an estimated population of 101,643 as of 2015. The city is the county seat of Dona Ana County, New Mexico, and falls 42 miles to the west of El Paso, Texas. The Mexican border at Santa Teresa also just lies at a distance of 74 miles from the city.

Standing at an elevation of 3,896 feet, Las Cruces once used to be the main agricultural region in the Mesilla Valley. However, the recent growth of the city is due chiefly to the stable government and university jobs that are to be found here, as well as the huge influx of retirees that the town has experienced in recent decades. The establishment of the facilities White Sand Missile Range and White Sands Test Facility, in 1944 and 1963 respectively, have also proved pivotal to the growth of the city. All of these factors have greatly helped to boost the city’s economy and service sector especially.

At the same time, New Mexico State University, the largest state university in northern New Mexico, which made Las Cruces its home back in 1888, has been able to maintain its high standards in research and education over its close to 130 years of existence. A large percentage of jobs from these three establishments have gone to residents of Las Cruces making it one of the richest and most prosperous small towns in these parts of the country.

In road to its phenomenal growth, Las Cruces has also been showered with many flattering awards and recognitions from different entities and establishments. In 2014, Forbes Magazine declared the town as one of the best places to retire. It was also recognized twice (2006, 2010) by AARP Magazine as one of the ‘Dream Towns to Retire.’

Keeping pace with the growth, the town itself has received a facelift in recent years to make it more attractive to visitors and prospective residents. The Urban Renewal Project undertaken by the city government has converted the old downtown district to make way for more modern facilities. At the same time, the project has concentrated on promoting a healthy environment, quality of life and the well-being of its residents. In recognition of these efforts, Las Cruces was designated as the first STAR Community in the state of New Mexico.