The small university town of Socorro, is serviced by air, vehicle and rail. A number of area attractions and a moderate year-round climate and abundant local natural attractions make the town an ideal place to live and work. There is also an active theater, arts and sporting community. Socorro boasts almost 30 events per year along with an annual Performing Arts Series, an excellent golf course, two community swimming pools and three gymnasiums. Historic adobe buildings up to 400 years old accompany the high tech atmosphere of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech). The community hosts its own hospital (Socorro General Hospital).

LOCATION
Socorro County is centrally located in the state of New Mexico. The city of Socorro, the county seat, is located along the Rio Grande at the crossroads of US60 and I-25 at an elevation of approximately 4,600 feet. Elevations within the county range from 4,500 in the Rio Grande Valley to 10,700 feet at the summit of the Magdalena Mountains, with highly varied landscapes ranging from cottonwood forest to Chihuahuan high desert to sub-alpine mountains. Socorro is a 1-hour drive south of Albuquerque (and the Albuquerque International Sunport) and two hour's drive north from Las Cruces and south from Santa Fe.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Socorro can cater to groups of up to approximately 400 people at three excellent conference facilities: The New Mexico Tech Macey Conference Center, Holiday Inn Express, and Ranchers Steakhouse. There are 11 quality hotels, three Bed and Breakfasts, and three RV parks.

AREA ATTRACTIONS
Please see our Attractions page under Visitors on the menu for a description of Socorro area attractions.

POPULATION

Socorro County - 19, 000
City of Socorro - 9, 000
Village of Magdalena - 913
Alamo Chapter of the Navajo Nation - 1,183

Socorro County experiences a moderate growth rate. Factors effecting recent growth have been the opening of Wal-Mart and other large retailers, as well as expansion at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and New Mexico Tech.