San Juan
New Mexico

What stands out

What stands out about San Juan County: rainfall is among the driest in America (7 inches a year), life expectancy is in the bottom 9% of American counties (71.3 years), and winter sunshine is in the top 13% of American counties (0.9 on the USDA scale). Within New Mexico it ranks 1st of 33 counties for rainfall, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in San Juan County, New Mexico. 121,798 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +195).

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 $50,734 a year, lower than 78% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,008. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

New Mexico takes 3.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,975 a year.

Home

The median home costs $275K, pricier than 63% of American counties, about 2.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $840 a month. Property tax is 0.69% of home value, roughly $1,185 a year on that median home, lower than 66% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 25 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.3 years, shorter than 91% of American counties. There are 205 active physicians in the county, about 16.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.5 of 5 stars. 14.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.72 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 81% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 26 points. 58% 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 55°F, highs near 70 and lows near 40, colder than 54% of American counties. About 7 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 70 out of 100, riskier than 70% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 163 Mbps down, slower than 66% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 2 National Park Service sites.