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Sunland Park, NM

Frequently asked questions

Sunland Park, NM

Sunland Park is a city in southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States, on the borders of Texas and the Mexican state of Chihuahua, with Ciudad Juárez adjoining it on the south and El Paso, Texas, on the east. The community of Santa Teresa adjoins it on the northwest. The population of Sunland Park was 14,106 at the 2010 census and was estimated at 17,978 by the United States Census Bureau in 2019. Though it lies adjacent to El Paso, being in Doña Ana County makes it a part of the Las Cruces metropolitan statistical area. Las Cruces is 42 miles (68 km) to the north.

The city is at the foot of Mount Cristo Rey, next to the Rio Grande, and is named for Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, which lies within the city limits. The location was formerly called "Anapra", a name shared by an adjacent area of Ciudad Juárez.

Sunland Park was formed when the unincorporated communities of Anapra, Sunland Park, and Meadow Vista voted to incorporate Sunland Park on July 13, 1983.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Sunland Park has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30.1 km²), of which 11.4 square miles (29.5 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²), or 2.02%, is covered by water.

Sunland Park is the only U.S. border town to the south of the Rio Grande. The city sits close to the unincorporated community of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, another border town.

The Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino is located in the city; in the 2010s, it was the main economic driver of the city, which suffers from a high poverty rate. After New Mexico began legal sales of marijuana for recreational use in 2022, a booming marijuana economy sprung up in Sunland Park, sustained primarily by Texans who travel to New Mexico to purchase marijuana, as recreational marijuana sales are prohibited in Texas. As of January 2024, sixteen marijuana dispensaries operated in Sunland Park, the second-most in the state (after Albuquerque, which has a much larger population).

Although the town sits on the U.S.-Mexico border, there is no port of entry in the town. Western Playland, an amusement park, moved to Sunland Park in 2006, after it left its original location in El Paso County, Texas's Ascarate Park, where it had opened in 1960. The park shut down in November 2021 but reopened in 2023 under new ownership.

Sunland Park places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Sunland Park Medical offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. For fitness lovers, Danny's Fitness Club provides a wide range of gym equipment and classes. For a relaxing retreat, the Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort provides luxurious spa services and hot springs. Health and wellness events, such as the Full Moon SoundBath at Yoga Vibrations, offer unique experiences to enhance well-being. Visitors can also enjoy the therapeutic benefits of Blackstone Hotsprings. For a combination of recreation and wellness, Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero offers a range of activities from golf to spa treatments.

The top sites in Sunland Park, NM are Mount Cristo Rey, El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and Western Playland.

Population:17,414 (2022). Elevation: 3,900 feet (1,189 meters). Area: 11.51 square miles (29.8 km²). ZIP Code: 88063. Area Code(s): 575.

FAQs

What county is Sunland Park, NM?

Sunland Park is a city in southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States, on the borders of Texas and the Mexican state of Chihuahua, with Ciudad Juárez adjoining it on the south and El Paso, Texas, on the east. The community of Santa Teresa adjoins it on the northwest. The population of Sunland Park was 14,106 at the 2010 census and was estimated at 17,978 by the United States Census Bureau in 2019.

Is Sunland Park, NM a good place to live?

Sunland Park, NM is an affordable place to live, with a cost of living that is considerably lower than the national average. The median home value in the city is $122,100 and the median household income is $35,616. Renters have access to cheaper housing options than many other cities, with the median rent being just around $600. Groceries are also relatively affordable, with the cost of goods being slightly below the national average. All in all, Sunland Park offers residents an economical way of life without sacrificing much in terms of quality.

What is Sunland, NM is known for?

Located between Santa Teresa and El Paso, Texas, Sunland Park offers residents a pleasant living experience outside the confines of an urban setting. Along with a full range of recreational and cultural activities, Sunland Park also is famous for world-class horse racing at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Doña Ana Community College has a modern campus in Sunland Park that provides general education and workforce development for the Sunland Park residents. Sunland Park is 21 minutes from the El Paso International Airport via Interstate 10.

Sources

City of Sunland Park

Wikipedia

Bestplaces

Mveda

Mount Cristo Rey

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Western Playland

Sunland Park Medical

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino

Danny's Fitness Club

Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort

Yoga Vibrations

Blackstone Hotsprings

Inn of the Mountain Gods

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