La Cienega, NM

New Mexico

La Cienega is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 3,780. Residents earn $68,676 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
3,780 Population 324/sq mi density
$68,676 Median Income $33,439 per capita
$417,900 Home Value
$1,137 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$68,676 median income, 3.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$417,900 home value, $1,137/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,676
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $417,900
48% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.5%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,137
2% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.5%
21% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.7%
54% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,780
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density324/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 42%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,676
Per Capita$33,439
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty5.7%
County GDP$3,815M
Commute25 min

Housing

B
Home Value$417,900
Rent$1,137
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity25.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.6%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain10.7 in/yr

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.5%
High School+84.4%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 33% / D 63%
Commute25 min
Libraries2

Is La Cienega a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Cienega receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. La Cienega offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Cienega is $68,676, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Cienega is $417,900, 48% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,137 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

23.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

La Cienega experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

La Cienega has a population of 3,780 with a density of 324 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (42.4%), with 5.7% Hispanic.

Population

3,780
Total Population
324
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
11.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

La Cienega vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only46.4%
41% below US avg
Spanish53.6%
300% above US avg

Social Characteristics

La Cienega vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Cienega is $68,676, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: La Cienega vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,676
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,439
Avg Weekly Wage$2,191
IRS Avg AGI$130,620

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.7%
54% below US avg
Establishments (County)606
County GDP$3,815M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare72
Retail30
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Work from Home8.6%

Walkability

The median home value in La Cienega is $417,900, 48% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,137 (2% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$417,900
48% above US avg
Median List Price$587,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$587,000
$/Sq Ft$294
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio88.7%
Price Drops16.7%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,137
2% 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-Occupied77.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Rate0.95%
In La Cienega, 25.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.6% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: La Cienega vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.5%
21% below US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure23.9%
Asthma8.3%
COPD3.3%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.8%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression20.6%
Mental Distress13.4%
Physical Distress11.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate83.4%
Checkup Rate65.9%
Premature Death3,583/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access99.3%
Healthcare Facilities72

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

La Cienega has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.0°F
4% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.7 inches
72% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area11.7 sq mi (30.2 km²)
Population Density324/sq mi
Coordinates35.5794°N, 106.1131°W
County FIPS35028
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 23.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 30.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.2%
D 63.4%

Winner: Democrat by 30.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.5%
30% below US avg
High School+84.4%
School Test Score4.65
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density324/sq mi
Total Area11.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities72
Restaurants34
Retail Stores30

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Work from Home8.6%

Nearby Cities

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