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Lea County, New Mexico

FIPS 35025

Juniper

Lea County is in the highest 14% nationally for FEMA risk score. It also sits in the lowest 7% nationally for home price growth over five years. And it sits in the highest 23% nationally for median rent.

Typical Home Valuemedian home value (ACS), re-priced to today on the FHFA index

$216,902

Near the U.S. counties median
Home Price Growth, Past Five Years

31%

Lower than 93% of U.S. counties
FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

86

Higher than 86% of U.S. counties

The boundary of Lea County.

The basics

Total Population

73,733

Median Age

32.5

Population Density

16.79

Home values & property tax

Median Property Tax

$879

Property Tax Rateyearly tax as a share of home value

0.48%

Cost of living & affordability

Home Price vs Incomeyears of income to buy a typical home

2.71×

Lower than 63% of U.S. counties
Median Income

$68,015

Higher than 58% of U.S. counties
Median Rent

$1,101

Higher than 77% of U.S. counties

Home prices & appreciation

Home Price Growth, Past Year

6.2%

Higher than 75% of U.S. counties
Pandemic Price Run-Up2019–20 low → 2022–23 peak

22%

2008 Crash: Peak-to-Trough Drophow far prices fell, 2007 → 2011

-2.5%

Climate & weather

Summer Avg High (°F)

93.2

Winter Avg Low (°F)

30.7

Avg Temperature (°F)

62.2

Hot Days/yr (>90°F)

101.9

Freezing Days/yr (<32°F)

72.6

Annual Precipitation (in)

14.2

Annual Snowfall (in)

2

Flood & disaster risk

FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

86

Higher than 86% of U.S. counties

The full report

Six pillars — each with percentile benchmarks, 16-year trends, and per-metric detail.

  • People

  • Work & Money

  • Housing

  • Amenities

  • Climate

  • Environment & Risk

Lea County: frequently asked questions

What is the typical home value in Lea County?
The estimated median home value in Lea County today is $216,902, near the U.S. counties median.
How much is property tax in Lea County?
The median annual property tax in Lea County is $879, an effective rate of 0.48% of home value.
Is Lea County expensive to live in?
Homes in Lea County cost about 2.71× the median household income, lower than 63% of U.S. counties.
What is the average rent in Lea County?
The median gross rent in Lea County is $1,101 a month, higher than 77% of U.S. counties.
How much have home prices grown in Lea County?
Home prices in Lea County have moved 31% over the past five years (6.2% in the past year), per the FHFA House Price Index.
How many people live in Lea County?
Lea County has a population of 73,733, about 16.79 people per square mile, per the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The median age is 32.5.
What is the weather like in Lea County?
Lea County averages 62.2°F year-round, summer highs near 93.2°F, winter lows around 30.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It sees about 2 inches of snow a year.
Is Lea County at risk of flooding or natural disasters?
Lea County's FEMA National Risk Index score is 86 (higher than 86% of U.S. counties). Its greatest modeled natural hazard is inland flooding.

Sources: U.S. Census ACS, FEMA National Risk Index, FHFA House Price Index, OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), EPA. Explore the map →

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