Union County
NM · Pop. 4,039 · Rural County
Union County is a rural county in New Mexico, spanning 3,825 square miles with 4,039 residents at a density of 1.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, wheat. A median home price of $136,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F and average winter lows of 18.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Union County General Hospital is 15.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 74.6% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $136,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 1.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 17.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 74.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Union County, NM is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $136k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 149 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.6"
- Broadband
- 74.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Union County General Hospital, 15.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Union County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Union County?
- Union County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F, and average winter lows of 18.9°F. The established crops are hay, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $136,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 74.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Union County General Hospital is 15.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore New Mexico Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in New Mexico
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The closest counties to Union County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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