Ponderosa, NM

New Mexico · Metropolitan Area

Ponderosa is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 252. Residents earn $49,583 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
252 Population 28/sq mi density
$49,583 Median Income $30,278 per capita
N/A Home Value $277,520 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$49,583 median income, 0.0% unemployment
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,583
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.5%
63% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.0%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.0%
102% higher than US avg

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

People

Population252
Median Age54.2 yrs
Density28/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

B
Median Income$49,583
Per Capita$30,278
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty25.0%
County GDP$6,129M
Commute33 min

Housing

Home ValueN/A
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$277,520

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain15.2 in/yr
Elevation6,200 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.5%
High School+89.7%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 46% / D 52%
Commute33 min
Libraries16

Is Ponderosa a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ponderosa receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Ponderosa has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ponderosa is $49,583, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 25.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Education

12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ponderosa experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.2 inches, including 22.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Ponderosa has a population of 252 with a density of 28 people per square mile. The median age is 54.2 years, 39% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (58.7%).

Population

252
Total Population
28
People / sq mi
54.2yrs
Median Age
39% above US avg
9.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Ponderosa vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ponderosa vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ponderosa is $49,583, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 25.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Ponderosa vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,583
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,278
Avg Weekly Wage$1,163
IRS Avg AGI$73,911

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate25.0%
102% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,273
County GDP$6,129M

Business (County)

Restaurants179
Healthcare283
Retail191
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,224
21% above US avg

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.8 min
Work from Home25.0%

Walkability

Zillow estimates the typical home value at $277,520.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Zillow ZHVI$277,520

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,224
21% above US avg
In Ponderosa, 34.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 23.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.0%
6% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma9.4%
COPD4.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity23.0%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.3%
Checkup Rate66.5%
Premature Death9,511/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access69.4%
Healthcare Facilities283

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Ponderosa has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.2 inches
60% below US avg
Snowfall22.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6,200 ft (1,890 m)
Area9.1 sq mi (23.6 km²)
Population Density28/sq mi
Coordinates35.6555°N, 106.6545°W
County FIPS35043
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 5.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 46%
D 51.8%

Winner: Democrat by 5.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.5%
63% below US avg
High School+89.7%
School Test Score4.65
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density28/sq mi
Total Area9.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities283
Restaurants179
Retail Stores191

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.8 min
Work from Home25.0%

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