Sheep Springs, NM

New Mexico · Metropolitan Area

Sheep Springs is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 369. Residents earn $28,750 per year, which is 62% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
369 Population 72/sq mi density
$28,750 Median Income $12,243 per capita
$97,500 Home Value
$825 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.4 / 5.0
$28,750 median income, 8.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$97,500 home value, $825/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $28,750
62% lower than US avg
Home Value $97,500
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.2%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $825
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.0%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.7%
142% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 43.1%
248% higher than US avg

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

People

Population369
Median Age28.6 yrs
Density72/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 0%

Economy

F
Median Income$28,750
Per Capita$12,243
Unemployment8.7%
Poverty43.1%
County GDP$7,043M
Commute43 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$97,500
Rent$825
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease9.5%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI37 (Good)
Elevation5,774 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+6.2%
High School+90.4%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute43 min
Broadband83.0%
Libraries3

Is Sheep Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sheep Springs receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Sheep Springs has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sheep Springs is $28,750, 62% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.7%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 43.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sheep Springs is $97,500, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $825 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sheep Springs experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Sheep Springs has a population of 369 with a density of 72 people per square mile. The median age is 28.6 years, 26% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (100%), with 96.5% Asian.

Population

369
Total Population
72
People / sq mi
28.6yrs
Median Age
26% below US avg
5.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.8%
Female 48.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Sheep Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only47.0%
40% below US avg
Spanish53.0%
296% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Sheep Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sheep Springs is $28,750, which is 62% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 43.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes.

Income: Sheep Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,750
62% below US avg
Per Capita Income$12,243
Avg Weekly Wage$1,077
IRS Avg AGI$56,852

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.7%
142% above US avg
Poverty Rate43.1%
248% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,087
County GDP$7,043M

Business (County)

Restaurants230
Healthcare294
Retail417
Manufacturing66

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,974
15% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time43.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sheep Springs is $97,500, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $825 (29% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$97,500
65% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$825
29% 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-Occupied71.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,974
15% below US avg
Effective Rate3.05%
In Sheep Springs, 41.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% report depression. 32.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sheep Springs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.0%
28% above US avg
Diabetes18.5%
Heart Disease9.5%
High Blood Pressure37.1%
Asthma15.1%
COPD11.8%
Stroke6.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.4%
Physical Inactivity32.9%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress25.1%
Physical Distress23.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.9%
Checkup Rate68.0%
Premature Death18,277/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.7/10
Exercise Access50.9%
Healthcare Facilities294

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Sheep Springs has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,774 ft (1,760 m)
Area5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density72/sq mi
Coordinates36.1592°N, 108.6905°W
County FIPS35045
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.7-point margin. 83.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.7%
D 33%

Winner: Republican by 31.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.2%
82% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score4.65
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density72/sq mi
Total Area5.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities294
Restaurants230
Retail Stores417

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute43.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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