Hobbs, New Mexico

Hobbs is a city in Lea County, New Mexico. The population of the city is 34,122, making it the largest in the county.
Hobbs 	New Mexico
Incorporated 	1924
Motto 	"It All Happens Here"
County 	Lea
Population 	34,122
Elevation 	3,622 ft (1,104 m)
Mayor 	Devin Hinojosa
City Guildmaster	Inhué Alemán
ZIP codes 	88240-88242
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the city is:
54.59% Hispanic or Latino (18,627)
38.30% White (13,068)
4.90% Black or African American (1,671)
2.22% Other (756)
17.6% (6,005) of Hobbs residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
Hobbs has high rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The city reported 48 Pokemon thefts in 2018, and averages 10.70 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
See the Lea County page for more info.
== Fun facts ==
* Following the outbreak of World War II, in 1942 Hobbs Army Air Base was built north of town. In 1948 the city bought the air base and converted it into the Hobbs Industrial Air Park, which is still used for soaring competitions.
* The first college in Hobbs opened in 1956. It was initially the First Baptist College and in 1962 it became the College of the Southwest. The name was changed again to University of the Southwest in 2008. A second college, New Mexico Junior College, opened in 1966. Hobbs is also home to a satellite campus of Southeastern State Battle Academy.
* The small, isolated settlement expanded rapidly following the discovery of oil by the Midwest Oil Company in 1927. A refinery was built in the following year and in 1929 the town of Hobbs was officially incorporated. At the peak of this oil boom, over 12,000 people lived in Hobbs. When the Great Depression hit in 1931, oil prices dropped and the population fell to only about 3,000. However, a few years later activity picked up in the oilfields and the population climbed to about 14,000 in 1940.
* The largest industries in Hobbs are mining/quarrying and oil & gas extraction, followed by retail trade and educational services.
* Located in Hobbs are the headquarters of the Soaring Society of America and Zia Park Casino, Hotel and Racetrack, which offers live and simulcast racing, casino games, dining, and a 154-room hotel. The property is owned and operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc.
* Hobbs has a decent bit of amenities to offer. It has dollar stores, Lea County Regional Airport, electric showers, some local restaurants and businesses, Rockwood Community Links, some hotels/motels, Albertsons, a few shopping centers, some auto parts places and car dealerships, plenty of fast food and a few chain restaurants, Walmart, Nintendo World, Home Depot, Solstice Apparel, a contest hall and two showcase theaters, Hobby Lobby, Pizza Mill & Sub Factory, some RV parks, Tractor Supply Co., Del Norte Aquatic Facility, a country club, MLK Soccerplex, Heizer Pool, and a few other things.
Category:New Mexico Cities