Peñasco, NM

New Mexico

Peñasco is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 613. Residents earn $38,750 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
613 Population 502/sq mi density
$38,750 Median Income $28,163 per capita
$219,600 Home Value
$900 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$38,750 median income, 3.5% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$219,600 home value, $900/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,750
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $219,600
22% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.7%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $900
23% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.8%
92% higher than US avg

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

People

Population613
Median Age42.0 yrs
Density502/mi²
Male / Female60% / 40%
Largest GroupWhite 27%

Economy

C+
Median Income$38,750
Per Capita$28,163
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty23.8%
County GDP$1,521M
Commute29 min

Housing

B
Home Value$219,600
Rent$900
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain12.7 in/yr
Elevation7,646 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.7%
High School+90.6%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 25% / D 72%
Commute29 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Peñasco a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Peñasco receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Peñasco has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Peñasco is $38,750, 48% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 23.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Peñasco is $219,600, 22% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $900 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

13.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Peñasco experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.7 inches, including 28.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Peñasco has a population of 613 with a density of 502 people per square mile. The median age is 42.0 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (27.1%), with 3.1% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

613
Total Population
502
People / sq mi
42.0yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 60.2%
Female 39.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Peñasco vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only56.1%
29% below US avg
Spanish43.9%
228% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Peñasco vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Peñasco is $38,750, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 23.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Peñasco vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,750
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,163
Avg Weekly Wage$873
IRS Avg AGI$56,455

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate23.8%
92% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,449
County GDP$1,521M

Business (County)

Restaurants151
Healthcare105
Retail194
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,363
4% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.53%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home20.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Peñasco is $219,600, 22% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $900 (23% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$219,600
22% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$900
23% 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-Occupied70.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,363
4% below US avg
Effective Rate1.53%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.6%
Premature Death12,930/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access79.2%
Healthcare Facilities105

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Peñasco has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.7 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall28.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation7,646 ft (2,331 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density502/sq mi
Coordinates36.1703°N, 105.6907°W
County FIPS35055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 13.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 47.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 24.9%
D 72.4%

Winner: Democrat by 47.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.7%
59% below US avg
High School+90.6%
School Test Score4.65
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density502/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities105
Restaurants151
Retail Stores194

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home20.2%

Nearby Cities

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