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La Plata, NM

Full City Profile · New Mexico · San Juan County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,185 Population 99/sq mi density
$54,801 Median Income $29,120 per capita
$187,000 Home Value $300,400 Zillow
$1,000 Median Rent 29.2% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
665 Violent Crime/100K 3,358 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$54,801 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$187,000 home value, $1,000/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
665 violent crimes/100K (75% above avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.2% bachelor's degree or higher
La Plata experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 7.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.2°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation5,735 ft (1,748 m)
Area22.2 sq mi (57.4 km²)
Population Density99/sq mi
Coordinates36.8964°N, 108.2008°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountySan Juan County County
Nearest AirportFour Corners Regional (FMN)
11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 7.8"
80% below US avg
Wettest Month (Aug) 1.50"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0416 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)8.5 ppb
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)1.25 ppb

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score88.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability91.5 / 100
Community Resilience5.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

27 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.4. Most recent: M2.9 on Sep 1, 2024.

Sep 13, 1994 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado M4.4 141 km
Jul 12, 2021 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico M4.2 150 km
Apr 22, 2017 4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah M3.7 127 km
Jul 12, 2021 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico M3.7 148 km
Jun 6, 2008 10 km NE of Bluff, Utah M3.6 124 km
Mar 10, 2023 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado M3.6 96 km
Apr 9, 2021 2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico M3.3 145 km
Feb 24, 1993 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah M3.1 134 km
May 13, 1993 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah M3.1 130 km
Jul 4, 2021 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico M3.1 106 km
Jul 12, 2021 4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico M3.0 144 km
Jun 26, 2018 3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico M3.0 140 km
Jun 14, 2018 0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico M3.0 136 km
Jun 18, 2002 39 km SW of Creede, Colorado M2.9 115 km
Feb 8, 2021 3 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico M2.9 147 km
Sep 1, 2024 7 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico M2.9 149 km
Jun 17, 2022 4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico M2.8 132 km
Sep 14, 1994 20 km ENE of Norwood, Colorado M2.8 146 km
Jun 10, 2020 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona M2.8 115 km
May 2, 2013 5 km NE of Ridgway, Colorado M2.7 149 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

18 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 25, 1985 EF2 61 km 0
May 10, 1957 EF2 24 km 0
Oct 5, 2004 EF1 40 km 0
Aug 5, 1999 EF1 20 km 0
Jun 7, 1997 EF1 78 km 0
Sep 5, 1970 EF1 73 km 0
Aug 30, 1966 EF1 55 km 0
Mar 21, 2020 EF0 31 km 0
Jun 10, 2015 EF0 36 km 0
Sep 18, 2013 EF0 27 km 0
Sep 10, 2013 EF0 43 km 0
Jul 18, 2011 EF0 57 km 0
Aug 29, 2002 EF0 45 km 0
Oct 23, 2000 EF0 3 km 0
Oct 23, 2000 EF0 3 km 0
May 30, 1992 EF0 36 km 0
Sep 28, 1990 EF0 19 km 0
May 28, 1963 EF0 27 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 ac, 2002).

Year Name Acres Distance
2002 MISSIONARY RIDGE 68,919 77 km
2018 416 55,123 71 km
2000 BIRCHER 23,317 41 km
2018 PLATEAU 19,746 83 km
1994 UNNAMED 13,234 33 km
2012 WEBER 10,898 45 km
2009 NARRAGUINNEP 7,798 97 km
2001 SANDOVAL 6,773 82 km
2017 EIGHT FOUR TWO 5,954 78 km
1986 WESTTOE 5,397 77 km
1986 HOGAN 5,298 76 km
2018 BURRO 5,242 69 km
2000 PONY 5,224 46 km
1996 CHAPIN 5 4,832 46 km
2016 GREATER GRACIA RX 3,960 89 km
2002 CARRIZO 1 3,701 81 km
1984 FERNANDO 3,419 72 km
2020 EAST CANYON 3,031 44 km
1987 AZTECTHREE 2,857 62 km
2012 VALLECITO 2,764 80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 31°F (-0°C) 1.0 in
February 35°F (2°C) 0.8 in
March 42°F (5°C) 1.0 in
April 49°F (9°C) 0.7 in
May 58°F (14°C) 0.7 in
June 68°F (20°C) 0.4 in Driest
July 77°F (25°C) 1.2 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 1.5 in Wettest
September 64°F (18°C) 1.1 in
October 52°F (11°C) 1.3 in
November 39°F (4°C) 1.0 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 1.0 in Coldest

La Plata has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 30°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.5") and June the driest (0.4").

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