5 Fantastic Facts About Farmington, New Mexico

Welcome to Farmington, New Mexico! Farmington, New Mexico is nestled in the San Juan River valley in the northwest corner of New Mexico, located at the very heart of the Four Corners region. What is the Four Corners region? The Four Corners is a region of the Southwestern United States comprised of the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico. Most of this rugged, starkly beautiful region is owned by Native American nations including the Navajo, Hopi, Ute, and Zuni. Let’s get to know Farmington, New Mexico, the most populous city in the Four Corners!

5 Farmington, New Mexico Facts

1. 1. The history of Farmington can be traced back over 2,000 years ago to Anasazi “basket makers”. (source) They lived in the area that is now known as “pit houses” and later in pueblo structures carved from native sandstone rock. Evidence of their past presence can still be found in the various ruins across the countryside.

2. 2. Farmington is surrounded by three rivers, four golf courses, six National parks, five lakes, and thousands of acres for off-roading. (source) The opportunities for outdoor adventures are abundant, from world-class fly fishing, mountain biking, and hiking to swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

3. 3. Farmington is home to the Shiprock Pinnacle, a sacred landmark. (source) This breathtaking rock formation soars 7,178 feet above sea level, making it visible from 30 to 50 miles away in all directions. It was form millenniums ago at the center of three volcanic pressure ridges. The Navajo call it “Tsé Bit’ A’í”, or rock with wings. Due to its sacred nature, climbing is forbidden.

4. 4. Farmington, New Mexico’s real estate prices rose 20.3% from 2021 to 2022. (source) Many California residents are moving to New Mexico to escape the high cost of living and overcrowding. You can get more bang for your buck outside of California (for now)!

5. 5. In 1868, the 3.5 million-acre Navajo Reservation was established, which covers half of San Juan County. (source) The Navajo Nation has been vital source of income for Farmington, first through trading posts and now as a major customer base for Farmington’s growing educational, medical, and retail services.

Featured image photo credit: Phil Darnell, 2007. Originally found on Wikimedia.org. Image was resized and cropped. Creative Commons 2.0.