Sunland Park, NM

New Mexico · Metropolitan Area

Sunland Park is a small city in New Mexico with a population of 17,085. Residents earn $52,147 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
17,085 Population 1,159/sq mi density
$52,147 Median Income $22,289 per capita
$194,900 Home Value $218,306 Zillow
$770 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
105 Violent Crime/100K 969 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$52,147 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$194,900 home value, $770/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
105 violent crimes/100K (72% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,147
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $194,900
31% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 105/100K
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.2%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $770
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.3%
88% higher than US avg

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

People

Population17,085
Median Age31.9 yrs
Density1,159/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 35%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,147
Per Capita$22,289
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty23.3%
County GDP$53,333M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$194,900
Rent$770
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$218,306

Crime

F
Violent105/100K
Property969/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault26/100K
Burglary301/100K

Health

Obesity41.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.3%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain10.1 in/yr
Elevation3,743 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.2%
High School+76.2%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 57%
Commute32 min
EV Stations2
Libraries18

Is Sunland Park a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sunland Park is $52,147, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. The poverty rate of 23.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sunland Park is $194,900, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $770 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Sunland Park is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 105 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 969 per 100,000, 51% below the national average.

Education

22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sunland Park enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Sunland Park has a population of 17,085 with a density of 1,159 people per square mile. The median age is 31.9 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (35.1%).

Population

17,085
Total Population
1,159
People / sq mi
31.9yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
14.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.3%
Female 54.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Sunland Park vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only15.8%
80% below US avg
Spanish84.2%
528% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Sunland Park vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sunland Park is $52,147, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Sunland Park vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,147
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,289
Avg Weekly Wage$966
IRS Avg AGI$56,831

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate23.3%
88% above US avg
Establishments (County)16,825
County GDP$53,333M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,853
Healthcare1,904
Retail2,227
Manufacturing517

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,241
135% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.5 min
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sunland Park is $194,900, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $770 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $218,306.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$194,900
31% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$218,306
Median List Price$327,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$327,500
$/Sq Ft$180
Homes Sold15
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops19.4%
Inventory93

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$770
34% 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-Occupied81.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,241
135% above US avg
Effective Rate4.23%
In Sunland Park, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.3% report depression. 36.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sunland Park vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes17.0%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure33.7%
Asthma9.2%
COPD5.9%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.9%
Physical Inactivity36.4%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress18.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.9%
Checkup Rate68.0%
Premature Death8,160/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.3/10
Exercise Access85.9%
Healthcare Facilities1,904
Sunland Park has a violent crime rate of 105 per 100,000 residents, 72% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 969 per 100,000 (51% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent104.8/100K
72% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape45.8/100K
Robbery32.7/100K
Assault26.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property969.2/100K
51% below US avg
Burglary301.2/100K
Theft595.9/100K
Vehicle Theft72.0/100K
Arson6.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sunland Park has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average63.1°F
17% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.1 inches
73% below US avg
Snowfall2.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,743 ft (1,141 m)
Area14.7 sq mi (38.2 km²)
Population Density1,159/sq mi
Coordinates31.8236°N, 106.6003°W
County FIPS48141
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41.8%
D 57%

Winner: Democrat by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.2%
34% below US avg
High School+76.2%
School Test Score4.65
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,159/sq mi
Total Area14.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries18
Healthcare Facilities1,904
Restaurants1,853
Retail Stores2,227

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.5 min
Work from Home4.4%

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