At a Glance
Median Income
$43,953
$22,466 per capita
Home Value
$52,900
Zillow: $145,746
Median Rent
$640/mo
30.8% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
5.7%
81.7% high school+
Unemployment
13.3%
22.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.7%
30.0% smoking rate
How Thoreau Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Thoreau's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Thoreau a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Thoreau residents earn a median household income of $43,953 , which is 42% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $22,466. The unemployment rate stands at 13.3% (269% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 22.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,225 business establishments, including 138 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Thoreau is $52,900 , 81% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $145,746. Median rent is $640/month, with 30.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 92.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1993.
Education
5.7% of adults in Thoreau hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(83% below the national average).
81.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 3.3/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Thoreau has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C).
Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.2 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population1,795
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density45/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Foreign Born2.2%
Veterans7.6%
Economy
D
Median Income$43,953
Per Capita$22,466
Unemployment13.3%
Poverty22.7%
County GDP$2,894M
Avg Weekly Wage$908
Housing
A+
Home Value$52,900
Rent$640
Ownership90.8%
Zillow$145,746
Housing Units777
Rent Burden30.8%
Health
Obesity41.7%
Diabetes18.4%
Smoking30.0%
Heart Disease9.5%
Premature Death27,593/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain12.2 in/yr
Elevation7,207 ft
Education
F
Bachelor's+5.7%
High School+81.7%
Graduate+0.7%
School Score3.3/10
Community
2024 VoteR 36% / D 61%
Commute33 min
Broadband57.2%
Internet Speed17 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries3
Did You Know?
The median home in Thoreau was built in 1993.
The nearest airport is Four Corners Regional (91 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.501 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
20.6% of the population has a disability.
There are 138 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 33 fatal vehicle crashes.