Melrose, NM

New Mexico

Melrose is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 536. Residents earn $33,333 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
536 Population 317/sq mi density
$33,333 Median Income $24,479 per capita
$78,600 Home Value
$548 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$33,333 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$78,600 home value, $548/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,333
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $78,600
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.4%
84% lower than US avg
Median Rent $548
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 36.7%
196% higher than US avg

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

People

Population536
Median Age48.8 yrs
Density317/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

C
Median Income$33,333
Per Capita$24,479
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty36.7%
County GDP$4,317M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$78,600
Rent$548
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain16.2 in/yr
Elevation4,409 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.4%
High School+77.0%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute28 min
Libraries1

Is Melrose a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melrose receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Melrose has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melrose is $33,333, 56% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 36.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melrose is $78,600, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $548 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Melrose enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.2 inches, including 11.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Melrose has a population of 536 with a density of 317 people per square mile. The median age is 48.8 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.6%), with 1.9% Hispanic.

Population

536
Total Population
317
People / sq mi
48.8yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Melrose vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.1%
2% above US avg
Spanish19.9%
49% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Melrose vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melrose is $33,333, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 36.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Melrose vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,333
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,479
Avg Weekly Wage$899
IRS Avg AGI$52,444

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate36.7%
196% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,362
County GDP$4,317M

Business (County)

Restaurants98
Healthcare124
Retail176
Manufacturing32

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,463
30% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.9 min
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Melrose is $78,600, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $548 (53% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$78,600
72% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$548
53% 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-Occupied77.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,463
30% below US avg
Effective Rate3.13%
In Melrose, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.3% report depression. 26.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure33.1%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity26.0%
Depression28.3%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress15.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.1%
Checkup Rate67.0%
Premature Death12,340/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access71.6%
Healthcare Facilities124

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Melrose has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.1°F
9% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.2 inches
57% below US avg
Snowfall11.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,409 ft (1,344 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density317/sq mi
Coordinates34.4295°N, 103.6294°W
County FIPS35009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 5.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (84% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.4%
D 27.8%

Winner: Republican by 42.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.4%
84% below US avg
High School+77.0%
School Test Score4.65
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density317/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities124
Restaurants98
Retail Stores176

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.9 min
Work from Home5.2%

Nearby Cities

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