Cibola
New Mexico

What stands out

Three things set Cibola County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is in the top 2% of American counties (2.5 on the USDA scale), rainfall is in the bottom 2% of American counties (9 inches a year), and the overdose death rate is in the top 3% of American counties (52 per 100,000). Within New Mexico it ranks 13th of 33 counties for winter sunshine.

Where you are

You live in Cibola County, New Mexico. 27,211 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +33).

New Mexico taxes Social Security only above $100,000 of income for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers, exempts military retirement, and has a graduated income tax with a 5.9% top rate. Home prices are low outside Santa Fe, where they are among the highest in the Mountain West. The state's oil production in the Permian Basin funds a large share of the budget and a permanent fund.

Money

The typical household here brings in $49,866 a year, lower than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,565. Unemployment runs 5.5%, higher than 93% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

New Mexico takes 3.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,935 a year.

Home

The median home costs $156K, cheaper than 82% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $735 a month. Property tax is 0.75% of home value, roughly $768 a year on that median home, lower than 60% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 86% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 52 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.5 years, shorter than 90% of American counties. There are 18 active physicians in the county, about 6.6 per 10,000 people. 12.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.73 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 80% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 13 points. 45% of eligible voters turned out. Under New Mexico law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 67 and lows near 35, colder than 71% of American counties. About 9 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 26 out of 100, safer than 74% of American counties; the county has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 142 Mbps down, slower than 74% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 National Park Service sites.