Lea
New Mexico

What stands out

Three things set Lea County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is among the sunniest in America (2.8 on the USDA scale), high-school completion is in the bottom 3% of American counties (76%), and rainfall is in the bottom 4% of American counties (13 inches a year). Within New Mexico it ranks 3rd of 33 counties for winter sunshine.

Where you are

You live in Lea County, New Mexico. 73,103 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -590).

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 $65,855 a year, higher than 64% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $69,342. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 80% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

New Mexico takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,686 a year.

Home

The median home costs $203K, cheaper than 62% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $996 a month. Property tax is 0.47% of home value, roughly $756 a year on that median home, lower than 91% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 52% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.1 years, shorter than 79% of American counties. There are 51 active physicians in the county, about 7.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 17.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 79% of American counties. 76% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 55 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 51% 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 63°F, highs near 78 and lows near 48, warmer than 76% of American counties. About 13 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 88 out of 100, riskier than 88% of American counties; the county has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 194 Mbps down, slower than 53% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.