Peña Blanca, NM

New Mexico

Peña Blanca is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 701. Residents earn $73,750 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
701 Population 102/sq mi density
$73,750 Median Income $29,967 per capita
$166,500 Home Value
$938 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$73,750 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$166,500 home value, $938/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,750
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $166,500
41% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.1%
73% lower than US avg
Median Rent $938
19% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.3%
49% lower than US avg

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

People

Population701
Median Age43.1 yrs
Density102/mi²
Male / Female60% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 38%

Economy

A
Median Income$73,750
Per Capita$29,967
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty6.3%
County GDP$3,815M
Commute37 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$166,500
Rent$938
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain11.8 in/yr
Elevation5,275 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.1%
High School+93.5%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 33% / D 63%
Commute37 min
Libraries2

Is Peña Blanca a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Peña Blanca receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Peña Blanca offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Peña Blanca is $73,750, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Peña Blanca is $166,500, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $938 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Peña Blanca enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.8 inches, including 8.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Peña Blanca has a population of 701 with a density of 102 people per square mile. The median age is 43.1 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (37.9%), with 7.8% Hispanic.

Population

701
Total Population
102
People / sq mi
43.1yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
6.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59.5%
Female 40.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Peña Blanca vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only38.7%
51% below US avg
Spanish61.3%
357% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Peña Blanca vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Peña Blanca is $73,750, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Peña Blanca vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,750
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,967
Avg Weekly Wage$2,191
IRS Avg AGI$130,620

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.3%
49% 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 Rate2.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time37.2 min
Work from Home14.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Peña Blanca is $166,500, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $938 (19% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$166,500
41% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$938
19% 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-Occupied94.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Rate2.39%

Health Metrics: Peña Blanca vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Premature Death3,583/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Peña Blanca has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.9°F
4% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.8 inches
69% below US avg
Snowfall8.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,275 ft (1,608 m)
Area6.9 sq mi (17.8 km²)
Population Density102/sq mi
Coordinates35.5709°N, 106.3320°W
County FIPS35028
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% 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+9.1%
73% below US avg
High School+93.5%
School Test Score4.65
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density102/sq mi
Total Area6.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities72
Restaurants34
Retail Stores30

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute37.2 min
Work from Home14.6%

Nearby Cities

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