Quay County (/ˈkweɪ/) is a county in the state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 8,746. Its county seat is Tucumcari. The county was named for Pennsylvania senator Matthew Quay, who supported statehood for New Mexico. Its eastern border is the Texas state line, approximately 103.04 degrees west longitude.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,882 square miles (7,460 km), of which 2,874 square miles (7,440 km) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km) (0.3%) is water.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	14,912		—
1920	10,444		−30.0%
1930	10,828		3.7%
1940	12,111		11.8%
1950	13,971		15.4%
1960	12,279		−12.1%
1970	10,903		−11.2%
1980	10,577		−3.0%
1990	10,823		2.3%
2000	10,155		−6.2%
2010	9,041		−11.0%
2020	8,746		−3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010

As of the 2000 census, there were 10,155 people, 4,201 households, and 2,844 families living in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km). There were 5,664 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km). The racial makeup of the county was 82.09% White, 0.84% Black or African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 12.11% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races. 37.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,201 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,894, and the median income for a family was $30,362. Males had a median income of $24,801 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,938. About 15.70% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 15.80% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2010 census, there were 9,041 people, 4,072 households, and 2,502 families living in the county. The population density was 3.1 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km). There were 5,569 housing units at an average density of 1.9 units per square mile (0.73 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 86.1% white, 1.2% American Indian, 1.1% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 7.2% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 42.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 11.4% were American, 10.7% were English, 10.5% were German, and 9.8% were Irish.

Of the 4,072 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.6% were non-families, and 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 45.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,773 and the median income for a family was $41,766. Males had a median income of $29,769 versus $32,462 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,234. About 13.3% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

• Tucumcari (county seat)

• House
• Logan
• San Jon

• Nara Visa

• Bard
• Endee
• Forrest
• Glenrio (partly in Deaf Smith County, Texas)
• McAlister
• Montoya
• Quay
• Wheatland

United States presidential election results for Quay County, New Mexico

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	2,570	69.38%	1,055	28.48%	79	2.13%
2020	2,634	68.01%	1,170	30.21%	69	1.78%
2016	2,212	61.93%	1,017	28.47%	343	9.60%
2012	2,202	59.40%	1,383	37.31%	122	3.29%
2008	2,367	59.23%	1,547	38.71%	82	2.05%
2004	2,661	64.63%	1,422	34.54%	34	0.83%
2000	2,292	59.63%	1,471	38.27%	81	2.11%
1996	1,943	46.53%	1,830	43.82%	403	9.65%
1992	1,759	41.01%	1,758	40.99%	772	18.00%
1988	2,454	55.62%	1,901	43.09%	57	1.29%
1984	2,842	66.82%	1,368	32.17%	43	1.01%
1980	2,499	62.09%	1,422	35.33%	104	2.58%
1976	2,059	49.08%	2,095	49.94%	41	0.98%
1972	3,224	71.30%	1,161	25.67%	137	3.03%
1968	2,123	51.38%	1,399	33.86%	610	14.76%
1964	2,161	47.86%	2,333	51.67%	21	0.47%
1960	2,652	56.38%	2,050	43.58%	2	0.04%
1956	2,311	53.52%	1,988	46.04%	19	0.44%
1952	2,711	53.00%	2,375	46.43%	29	0.57%
1948	1,392	30.98%	3,063	68.17%	38	0.85%
1944	1,449	38.83%	2,272	60.88%	11	0.29%
1940	1,413	30.39%	3,215	69.14%	22	0.47%
1936	816	19.02%	3,423	79.79%	51	1.19%
1932	852	20.90%	3,058	75.01%	167	4.10%
1928	1,616	50.26%	1,594	49.58%	5	0.16%
1924	851	27.84%	1,548	50.64%	658	21.52%
1920	1,213	39.15%	1,813	58.52%	72	2.32%
1916	598	24.95%	1,539	64.21%	260	10.85%
1912	351	18.69%	884	47.07%	643	34.24%

School districts include:

• Grady Municipal Schools
• House Municipal Schools
• Logan Municipal Schools
• Melrose Public Schools
• San Jon Municipal Schools
• Tucumcari Public Schools

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Quay County, New Mexico

35°07′N 103°33′W / 35.11°N 103.55°W / 35.11; -103.55