El Rito, NM

New Mexico

El Rito is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 961. Residents earn $24,611 per year, which is 67% below the national average.

1.6 /5.0
D Poor
961 Population 234/sq mi density
$24,611 Median Income $20,750 per capita
$273,700 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
D
Overall
1.6 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$24,611 median income, 0.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$273,700 home value
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $24,611
67% lower than US avg
Home Value $273,700
3% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.4%
84% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 64.8%
423% higher than US avg

How El Rito Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population961
Median Age39.9 yrs
Density234/mi²
Male / Female40% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 11%

Economy

C
Median Income$24,611
Per Capita$20,750
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty64.8%
County GDP$1,379M

Housing

F
Home Value$273,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.3%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain11.7 in/yr
Elevation6,767 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.4%
High School+58.9%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 59%
CommuteN/A
EV Stations1
Libraries10

Is El Rito a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, El Rito receives an overall livability score of 1.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. El Rito faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in El Rito is $24,611, 67% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 64.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in El Rito is $273,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. With a home price-to-income ratio of 11.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

5.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 58.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

El Rito experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.7 inches, including 23.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

El Rito has a population of 961 with a density of 234 people per square mile. The median age is 39.9 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (11.1%).

Population

961
Total Population
234
People / sq mi
39.9yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
4.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39.9%
Female 60.1%

Race & Ethnicity

El Rito vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only3.7%
95% below US avg
Spanish96.3%
619% above US avg

Social Characteristics

El Rito vs U.S. Average

The median household income in El Rito is $24,611, which is 67% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 64.8% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income: El Rito vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$24,611
67% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,750
Avg Weekly Wage$941
IRS Avg AGI$52,599

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate64.8%
423% above US avg
Establishments (County)859
County GDP$1,379M

Business (County)

Restaurants65
Healthcare72
Retail81
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,640
25% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.96%

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home12.4%

Walkability

The median home value in El Rito is $273,700, 3% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$273,700
3% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$828
1 Bedroom$927
2 Bedrooms$1,129
3 Bedrooms$1,496
4 Bedrooms$1,758

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,640
25% below US avg
Effective Rate0.96%
In El Rito, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.3% report depression. 27.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: El Rito vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes12.8%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma9.1%
COPD4.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity27.6%
Depression20.3%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress14.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate77.9%
Checkup Rate66.5%
Premature Death21,299/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access49.7%
Healthcare Facilities72

Crime Rates: El Rito vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

El Rito has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.7 inches
69% below US avg
Snowfall23.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6,767 ft (2,063 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.6 km²)
Population Density234/sq mi
Coordinates36.3326°N, 106.1741°W
County FIPS35039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 5.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (84% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 19.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 39.2%
D 58.6%

Winner: Democrat by 19.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.4%
84% below US avg
High School+58.9%
School Test Score4.65
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density234/sq mi
Total Area4.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities72
Restaurants65
Retail Stores81

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home12.4%

Nearby Cities

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