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Los Alamos, NM

Frequently asked questions

Los Alamos, NM

Los Alamos is a census-designated place in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States, that is recognized as one of the development and creation places of the atomic bomb—the primary objective of the Manhattan Project by Los Alamos National Laboratory during World War II. The town is located on four mesas of the Pajarito Plateau and had a population of about 19,200 as of 2022. It is the county seat and one of two population centers in the county known as census-designated places (CDPs); the other is White Rock.

Los Alamos is a Spanish place name that typically refers to poplar or cottonwood trees. Alternatively, Los Alamos could refer to the large groves of aspen trees (alamo temblon) that intersperse the coniferous forest on the mountainsides above the townsite, where they are distinctly visible during the autumn months due to their spectacular autumn colors.

Los Alamos is located in northern New Mexico between the Rio Grande and the eastern rim of the Valles Caldera on the Pajarito Plateau, approximately 35 mi (56 km) to the northwest of Santa Fe. The elevation at the post office is 7,320 feet (2,230 m) and the total land area is 11.14 square miles (28.9 km²).

The Los Alamos Townsite and White Rock are located on flat mesa tops separated by steep canyons, known as potreros. This location was chosen for its relative inaccessibility to help protect the secret activities of the Manhattan Project.

The town of Los Alamos was built on four potreros—Barranca Mesa, North Mesa, Los Alamos Mesa, and South Mesa—along with the connecting communities at the base of the mountain. Los Alamos National Laboratory occupies half of South Mesa, Two Mile Mesa, Frijoles Mesa, Mesita de Buey, and several nearby areas in the region (in the valleys and at the base of the mountain). White Rock lies at the top of White Rock Canyon.

Much of Los Alamos County is within the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.

Los Alamos places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with several healthcare facilities serving the needs of residents. Los Alamos Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. For fitness lovers, Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness provide a wide range of gym equipment and classes. For a full-body workout, The Family YMCA provides various fitness programs, including personal training and group exercise classes. For swimming enthusiasts, the Aquatic Center features an Olympic-size pool, therapy pool, and leisure lagoon, catering to both recreational and competitive swimmers. For outdoor activities, Pajarito Mountain is perfect for hiking and mountain biking in the summer, and skiing in the winter. The Los Alamos Nature Center offers guided hikes and educational programs for all ages, promoting physical activity and a connection to nature.

Top sites in Los Alamos, NM are Bradbury Science Museum, Los Alamos History Museum, and Bandelier National Monument.

Population: 13,471 (2023). ZIP code: 87544, 87547. Area code: 505. Elevation: 7,320 feet (2,230 meters). Area: 28.3 square miles (73.3 km²).

FAQs

Is Los Alamos, NM a good place to live?

Los Alamos is a very safe place to live. The Los Alamos crime rates are 82% lower than the national average, and violent crimes in Los Alamos are 85% lower than the national average. The city is safer than 89% of the cities in the United States. The Los Alamos crime rate is 432 crimes per 100,000 people and 57 violent crimes per 100,000. These statistics are well below the New Mexico average of 3,620 crimes per 100,000 and 778 violent crimes per 100,000.

What is Los Alamos, NM best known for?

In Los Alamos, New Mexico, Manhattan Project administrators found an ideal location for the secret laboratory where they designed and built the world’s first atomic weapons. During the Manhattan Project, Los Alamos became the home to many of the top scientific minds of the day: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Norris Bradbury, Richard Feynman, Hans Bethe, and many more luminaries. These scientists worked together to develop the theoretical and experimental tests that created the first atomic weapons, using enriched uranium from Oak Ridge and plutonium from Hanford. Today, the nucleus of this once-secret city is still Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Is Los Alamos, NM expensive to live in?

The cost of living in Los Alamos, NM is 8% higher than the state average and 3% higher than the national average. Los Alamos, NM housing is 9% more expensive than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 11% less pricey. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% more in Los Alamos, NM than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 6% more. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 1% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 6% pricier in Los Alamos, NM.

Sources

Los Alamos County

Wikipedia

NPS

Pro-Move Logistics

Rentcafe

Bradbury Science Museum

Los Alamos History Museum

Bandelier National Monument

Los Alamos Medical Center

Anytime Fitness

Planet Fitness

The Family YMCA

Aquatic Center

Pajarito Mountain

Los Alamos Nature Center

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