Española, NM

New Mexico

Española is a small city in New Mexico with a population of 10,472. Residents earn $47,664 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
10,472 Population 1,274/sq mi density
$47,664 Median Income $27,878 per capita
$205,100 Home Value
$832 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$47,664 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$205,100 home value, $832/mo rent
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,664
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $205,100
27% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.4%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $832
28% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.4%
32% higher than US avg

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

People

Population10,472
Median Age37.5 yrs
Density1,274/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 26%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,664
Per Capita$27,878
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty16.4%
County GDP$1,379M
Commute30 min

Housing

A
Home Value$205,100
Rent$832
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain11.1 in/yr
Elevation5,594 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.4%
High School+81.5%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 59%
Commute30 min
EV Stations2
Libraries10

Is Española a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Española receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Española offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Española is $47,664, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. The poverty rate of 16.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Española is $205,100, 27% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $832 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Española experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches, including 10.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Española has a population of 10,472 with a density of 1,274 people per square mile. The median age is 37.5 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (26.4%), with 5.7% Hispanic, 1.7% Black.

Population

10,472
Total Population
1,274
People / sq mi
37.5yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
8.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Española vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only39.8%
49% below US avg
Spanish60.2%
349% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Española vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Española is $47,664, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Española vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,664
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,878
Avg Weekly Wage$941
IRS Avg AGI$52,599

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.4%
32% 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 Rate1.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Española is $205,100, 27% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $832 (28% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$205,100
27% below US avg
Median List Price$422,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$422,000
$/Sq Ft$241
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.9%
Price Drops29.4%
Inventory17

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$832
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,640
25% below US avg
Effective Rate1.29%

Health Metrics: Española vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.3%
Premature Death21,299/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Española has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.1 inches
71% below US avg
Snowfall10.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,594 ft (1,705 m)
Area8.2 sq mi (21.3 km²)
Population Density1,274/sq mi
Coordinates36.0040°N, 106.0701°W
County FIPS35039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% 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+18.4%
45% below US avg
High School+81.5%
School Test Score4.65
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,274/sq mi
Total Area8.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities72
Restaurants65
Retail Stores81

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Española with another city: