[2] The county is named in honor of George Curry, territorial governor of New Mexico from 1907 to 1910.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,408 sq mi (3,650 km2), of which 1,405 square miles (3,640 km2) are land and 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km2) (0.2%) are covered by water.

As of the 2010 census, 48,376 people, 18,015 households, and 12,341 families were living in the county.

[10] The racial makeup of the county was 69.7% white, 6.3% African American, 1.3% Asian, 1.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 17.2% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races.

[9] In terms of ancestry, 11.2% were German, 11.0% were American, 8.0% were Irish, and 6.7% were English.

[12] As of the 2000 census,[13] 45,044 people, 16,766 households, and 11,870 families were living in the county.

About 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

However, the county is located in the New Mexico's 3rd congressional district, represented by Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez.