Los Alamos County Government

About Us

Los Alamos County is a small community that possesses a world-wide reputation for scientific and technological development. Community life features small-town living with friendly neighbors, low crime and an excellent school system. Cultural and recreational opportunities abound, with plenty of hiking and biking trails, skiing at the local Pajarito Ski Resort, and visits to nearby Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument. Los Alamos is located on the Pajarito Plateau, in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. It is approximately 90 miles north of Albuquerque, 35 miles from Santa Fe, and 55 miles from Taos. At 7,355 feet altitude, Los Alamos is “big pine” country, with a mild, four-season climate. Summers have moderately warm days and cool nights. Afternoon temperatures are in the 70s and 80s and infrequently reach 90 degrees. The relatively thin air, light winds, clear skies and dry atmosphere cause nighttime temperatures to drop to the 50s even after the warmest day. Winter storms are typically short in duration, with many mild, sunny days. The annual maximum average temperature is 70 degrees and the average minimum is 42. Los Alamos is surrounded by National Forest, National Park, Pueblo, and other Federal lands. It is the smallest county in New Mexico at 109 square miles. The population of Los Alamos is approximately 17,000 people. There are two communities in the County: the townsite of Los Alamos has about 10,500 residents and another 6,500 residents live in nearby White Rock.