McKinley County is a county in the northwestern section of the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 71,492. Its county seat is Gallup. The county was created in 1901 and named for President William McKinley.McKinley County is Gallup's micropolitan statistical area.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.1%) is water.Adjacent counties San Juan County - north Sandoval County - east Cibola County - south Apache County, Arizona - westMajor highways20px Interstate 4025px U.S. Route 491 (formerly 25px)New Mexico Highway 264New Mexico Highway 371New Mexico Highway 602National protected areas Chaco Culture National Historical Park (part) Cibola National Forest (part)
