Animas is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in west-central Hidalgo County, New Mexico, United States, in the southwestern corner of the state. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 237.It lies at the intersection of State Roads 9 and 338, south of the city of Lordsburg, the county seat. Its elevation is 4,406 feet, and it is located at 31°56′56″N 108°48′26″W / 31.94889°N 108.80722°W / 31.94889; -108.80722. Although Animas is unincorporated, it has a post office which opened in 1909. The community has the ZIP code of 88020.Founded around 1753 by the Spanish, Animas became part of the newly independent country of Mexico in 1821. Unlike most of New Mexico, Animas was not part of the Mexican Cession after the Mexican–American War ended; it is located in the area sold to the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1853.Animas is an isolated ranching community.