Founded: 1598 (incorporated 1873)
Head Official: Mayor Joe Wardy (since 2003)
City Population
1980: 425,259
1990: 515,342
2000: 563,662
2003 estimate: 584,113
Percent change, 1990–2000: 9.4%
U.S. rank in 2000: 22 (State rank: 5th)
Metropolitan Area Population
1980: 479,899
1990: 591,610
2000: 679,622
Percent change, 1990–2000: 14.9%
U.S. rank in 2000: 64th
Area: 249 square miles (2000)
Elevation: Average 3,762 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 63.3° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 8.81 inches
Major Economic Sectors: agriculture, clothing, oil, retail, military
Unemployment rate: 7.7% (December 2004)
Per Capita Income: $14,388 (1999)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 26,998
Major Colleges and Universities: University of Texas at
El Paso, El Paso Community College, New Mexico State University, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Daily Newspaper: El Paso Times