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La Mesa, NM

New Mexico · Metropolitan Area

La Mesa is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 548. Residents earn $40,694 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
548 Population 231/sq mi density
$40,694 Median Income $19,576 per capita
$108,700 Home Value $273,168 Zillow
$532 Median Rent 26.4% income on rent
63°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$40,694 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$108,700 home value, $532/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,694
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $108,700
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.1%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $532
54% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.4%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.8%
108% higher than US avg

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

People

Population548
Median Age63.7 yrs
Density231/mi²
Male / Female60% / 40%
Largest GroupWhite 37%
Veterans12.2%

Economy

C+
Median Income$40,694
Per Capita$19,576
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty25.8%
County GDP$11,315M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$108,700
Rent$532
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$273,168
Housing Units437
Rent Burden26.4%

Health

Obesity39.4%
Uninsured25.8%
Smoking12.9%
Depression21.5%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F (17°C)
AQI37 (Good)
Rain9.1 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation3,830 ft (1,167 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+6.1%
High School+61.3%
Graduate+2.7%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute23 min
Broadband67.4%
Libraries6

Is La Mesa a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Mesa receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. La Mesa offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Mesa is $40,694, 46% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 25.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Mesa is $108,700, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $532 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 61.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

La Mesa enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 9.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

La Mesa has a population of 548 with a density of 231 people per square mile. The median age is 63.7 years, 64% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (36.5%), with 5.7% Hispanic.

Population

548
Total Population
231
People / sq mi
63.7yrs
Median Age
64% above US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59.7%
Female 40.3%

Race & Ethnicity

La Mesa vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only32.8%
58% below US avg
Spanish67.2%
401% above US avg

Social Characteristics

La Mesa vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Mesa is $40,694, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 25.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: La Mesa vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,694
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,576
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$55,105

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate25.8%
108% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,817
County GDP$11,315M

Business (County)

Restaurants357
Healthcare615
Retail511
Manufacturing122

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,640
4% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.35%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.1 min
Drive Alone82.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Walkability

The median home value in La Mesa is $108,700, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $532 (54% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $273,168.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$108,700
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$273,168
Median List Price$550,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$550,000
$/Sq Ft$92
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$532
54% below US avg
Rent Burden26.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.7%
Housing Units437
Median Year Built1982

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,640
4% above US avg
Effective Rate3.35%
In La Mesa, 39.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% of residents lack health insurance. 12.9% are current smokers. 21.5% report depression. 32.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.4%
23% above US avg
Diabetes14.6%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure31.2%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.0%
Cancer4.6%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.9%
8% below US avg
Binge Drinking14.1%
Physical Inactivity32.5%
Depression21.5%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress16.8%
Short Sleep34.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.4%
Uninsured25.8%
200% above US avg
Checkup Rate68.5%
Dental Visits53.6%
Premature Death9,397/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access73.0%
Healthcare Facilities615
La Mesa has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 9.1 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average63.2°F
17% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall9.1 inches
76% below US avg
Snowfall1.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,830 ft (1,167 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.1 km²)
Population Density231/sq mi
Coordinates32.1244°N, 106.7090°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
County FIPS35013
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 6.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 9.8-point margin. 67.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44%
D 53.8%

Winner: Democrat by 9.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.1%
82% below US avg
High School+61.3%
Graduate Degree+2.7%
School Test Score4.65
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density231/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access67.4%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities615
Restaurants357
Retail Stores511

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)26

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.1 min
Drive Alone82.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.8%

Nearby Cities

Vado, NM 3,185 pop · 3.0 mi Berino, NM 1,429 pop · 6.4 mi Anthony, NM 8,701 pop · 10.1 mi University Park, NM 2,699 pop · 10.7 mi Anthony, TX 3,727 pop · 11.5 mi Mesilla, NM 1,850 pop · 11.6 mi Vinton, TX 2,752 pop · 13.3 mi Westway, TX 3,515 pop · 13.8 mi Las Cruces, NM 112,612 pop · 14.7 mi Canutillo, TX 6,422 pop · 15.6 mi Picacho Hills, NM 1,995 pop · 16.5 mi Santa Teresa, NM 5,973 pop · 17.6 mi Chaparral, NM 16,642 pop · 18.6 mi Doña Ana, NM 1,154 pop · 19.7 mi
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