Valencia County
NM · Pop. 77,382 · Suburban County
Valencia County, New Mexico covers 1,067 square miles with a population of 77,382 and a density of 72.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, legumes. A median home price of $207,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.2°F and average winter lows of 19.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 9.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Phs Isleta Fs Ed/UC is 22.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median household income of $58,333 anchors the local economy.
- Phs Isleta Fs Ed/UC provides the area's nearest hospital care, 22.6 miles away.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Annual rainfall of just 9.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Phs Isleta Fs Ed/UC, is 22.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 18.4% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Valencia County, NM is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 13/100
- Median home price
- $207k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 9.8"
- Broadband
- 83.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Phs Isleta Fs Ed/UC, 22.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Valencia County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Valencia County?
- Valencia County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.2°F, and average winter lows of 19.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, legumes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $207,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Phs Isleta Fs Ed/UC is 22.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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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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