countyscore
71.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 99.7Safety 97.5Property Tax 95.2

County Report Card

About Harding County, New Mexico

A National Leader in Livability

Harding County commands an impressive composite score of 71.2, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This high ranking places it among the top tier of counties for overall stability and affordability across the United States.

New Mexico’s Top Tier

Harding County’s 71.2 score dwarfs the state average of 49.1, making it a standout performer in New Mexico. It provides a level of security and tax efficiency that is rare within the state.

Exceptional Safety and Resilience

The county achieves near-perfect marks with a Risk Score of 99.7 and a Safety Score of 97.5. Furthermore, its Tax Score of 95.2 is bolstered by a very low effective tax rate of 0.379%.

Economic and Resource Scarcity

Despite its safety, the county has a low Income Score of 3.6 and a median household income of $41,250. Water access remains a concern, with a score of 20.0 reflecting the arid nature of the region.

Maximum Security for Budget Seekers

Harding County is ideal for those seeking the ultimate escape from crime and environmental risk. It is a sanctuary for residents who value peace and low taxes above all other community amenities.

2040608010095.291.197.535.350.93.699.72049Tax95.2Cost91.1Safety97.5Health35.3Schools50.9Income3.6Risk99.7Water20Weather4971.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Harding County DNA

Coverall

How Harding County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Harding County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (99.7/100) but notably weak in Income (3.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
95.2+43.2
Cost
91.1+43.099999999999994
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
35.3-14.700000000000003
Schools
50.9
Income
3.6-47.4
Risk
99.7+52.7
Water
20-38
Weather
49
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$86,500

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$700/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$86,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $41,250/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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LaSalle Parish
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Nearby counties

Union County
New Mexico
60.8
San Miguel County
New Mexico
45.9
Mora County
New Mexico
63.5
Quay County
New Mexico
53.3
Hartley County
Texas
47.7
Dallam County
Texas
35
Colfax County
New Mexico
54.4
Oldham County
Texas
54.5

Deep Dives

Harding County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Harding County

via TaxByCounty

Harding County has the nation's lowest rate

Harding County's effective tax rate of 0.379% ranks in the bottom 5% of all U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of just $328 annually is among the lowest in America, reflecting the county's remote rural character.

Lowest effective rate in New Mexico

Harding County's 0.379% rate is the lowest across all New Mexico counties, running 36% below the statewide average of 0.595%. The median property tax of $328 is less than one-third the state median of $1,043.

Dramatically lower than surrounding counties

Harding County's 0.379% rate significantly undercuts Grant County (0.460%) and Eddy County (0.499%) in the region. This exceptional affordability reflects Harding's sparse population and modest property values across the northeastern plains.

Harding homeowner pays just $328 yearly

With a median home value of $86,500 and a 0.379% effective rate, the typical Harding County homeowner pays only $328 annually in property tax. Those with mortgages pay $717 (including escrow), while owners without mortgages pay just $300.

Even low assessments deserve verification

Harding County's minimal tax bills don't eliminate the need to verify your assessment. If your home's assessed value seems misaligned with local market conditions, an appeal is quick and could save money across the years you own the property.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Harding County

via CostByCounty

Harding's affordability hinges on low rents

Harding County renters spend 20.4% of household income on rent, slightly above New Mexico's state average of 19.4% and noticeably higher than the national comfort zone. A median household income of $41,250—45% below the national median—means residents stretch modest incomes across all basic needs.

Below-average affordability for the state

Harding County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% exceeds New Mexico's 19.4% average, placing it in the less affordable half of the state's counties. The combination of low income and tight ratios suggests housing pressure despite comparatively low absolute rents.

Middle-ground rents, bottom-tier incomes

Harding's $700 monthly rent falls between Guadalupe County's $515 and Grant County's $810, but the median income of $41,250 is among the state's lowest. The result: a 20.4% burden ratio that strains household budgets more than the low rents alone suggest.

Tight budgets despite modest housing costs

Renters pay $700 monthly while owners pay $474, with median home values around $86,500—among the state's lowest. At just $41,250 median household income, housing consumes 20.4% of gross income, leaving limited flexibility for savings or unexpected expenses.

Harding: affordable but economically limited

Harding offers low rents and rock-bottom home prices, but the local economy is tightly constrained. Consider moving here only if you have remote income, a pension, or strong ties to the rural ranching community that sustains the county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harding County

via IncomeByCounty

Harding incomes lag national benchmark

Harding County's median household income of $41,250 falls about $33,500 below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting limited economic scale and employment opportunities. The county's small population and rural character constrain wage growth.

Below state average, sparse population

Harding County's median household income of $41,250 trails New Mexico's state average of $55,469 by roughly $14,000. As one of the state's least populous counties, Harding faces structural challenges in attracting higher-wage employers.

Similar challenges to nearby counties

Harding County households earn $41,250, comparable to Guadalupe County ($40,149) and well below Lincoln County ($51,643) and Lea County ($68,750). The northern plains counties share limited economic diversity and lower wage opportunities.

Affordability offsets modest income

Harding County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% and median home value of just $86,500 mean housing costs consume a moderate share of income while remaining quite affordable. Low housing costs provide financial breathing room for households on modest earnings.

Save aggressively on low expenses

Harding County's exceptionally low housing costs create an opportunity to save aggressively on a modest income of $41,250. Focus on building an emergency fund, exploring any available employer retirement plans, and consider skill development that could enable remote work at higher wages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Harding County

via CrimeByCounty

Harding County Reports Zero Crime Incidents

In 2022, Harding County recorded a total crime rate of 0.0 per 100K, resulting in a perfect safety score of 100.0. This is exceptionally rare compared to the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

Leading New Mexico in Safety Scores

The county’s perfect 100.0 safety score leads the state, far exceeding the New Mexico average of 97.4. Data suggests an incredibly quiet year for the local community.

Quiet Rural Statistics vs Neighbors

While neighboring Guadalupe reports a rate over 1,000, Harding shows no reported criminal activity at all. This data comes from a single reporting agency and reflects a very small, secure population.

Minimal Crime in a Peaceful Region

Both violent and property crime rates stand at 0.0 per 100K for the reporting period. Residents enjoy an environment where criminal interactions are statistically non-existent according to local records.

Maintaining the Status Quo

Though the data shows no crime, maintaining good habits like locking doors remains important for continued safety. Community vigilance ensures Harding County keeps its record as one of the state's quietest spots.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Harding County

via SchoolsByCounty

New Mexico's Smallest School Network

Harding County supports 165 students across only 4 public schools, making it one of the smallest systems in the state. Two districts manage these facilities, which consist of 2 elementary schools and 2 high schools. Every school in the county is classified as rural, reflecting the area's vast and open landscape.

High Investment and Competitive Scores

The county spends $13,463 per pupil, which is higher than both the state and national averages. While the graduation rate of 75.0% trails the state, the composite school score of 59.6 is remarkably high. This suggests that the intense investment in small-scale education is yielding strong academic quality.

A Tale of Two Tiny Districts

Education is split between Mosquero Municipal Schools, with 88 students, and Roy Municipal Schools, which serves 77 students. Each district operates just two schools, providing a truly localized and personal experience. There are no charter schools, as the traditional districts fulfill all community needs.

Ultra-Small Rural Learning Environments

With an average school size of 41 students, Harding County defines intimate education. Mosquero High is the largest campus with only 48 students, while Roy High serves just 33. Students here experience a level of faculty interaction and peer support that is rarely found in larger counties.

Quiet Living and Personalized Schooling

Families looking for a truly rural lifestyle will find Harding County’s small schools and high spending per student appealing. Choosing a home here means joining a tight-knit community where every student is known by name. Discover the unique pace of life and the dedicated educational spirit of this high-scoring region.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Harding County

via RiskByCounty

Harding County faces minimal hazard exposure

With a composite risk score of just 0.38, Harding County ranks as very low risk and is dramatically below New Mexico's state average of 58.92. This exceptionally low score reflects minimal exposure to most major natural disasters across the county.

New Mexico's safest county

Harding County ranks as the lowest-risk county in New Mexico, with a composite score that underscores its exceptional safety profile. Few counties anywhere in the nation face such minimal natural disaster exposure as measured across major hazard categories.

Far safer than any nearby county

Harding County's 0.38 score is orders of magnitude lower than all surrounding counties, including Guadalupe (8.81) and Union (neighboring but not listed). This geographic advantage makes Harding unique within the region for hazard safety.

Wildfire only notable concern

Wildfire risk scores 67.88 in Harding County—the county's only hazard of meaningful concern—though the overall risk remains very low. Flood (2.80), tornado (3.47), and earthquake (5.06) risks are negligible, and hurricane exposure is essentially nonexistent.

Basic homeowners insurance suffices

Standard homeowners insurance coverage adequately protects Harding County residents, as natural disaster exposure is minimal across all categories. Focus insurance dollars on routine home protection rather than specialized disaster endorsements unless wildfire brush clearing is needed.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Harding County

via WaterByCounty

Harding County Logs Single Health Violation

Harding County earns an F grade despite recording only one health violation in the past five years. Its violation rate of 131.9 per 100,000 residents remains well below the state average of 475.7, suggesting relatively stable utility performance.

Altered Flow Regimes Impact Watershed Integrity

Only 12.5% of the county's 8 assessed water bodies are impaired, which is better than the statewide 20.0% impairment rate. The 2022 assessment notes that flow regime modification is the sole reported cause of water body impairment in the area.

No Federal Monitoring Records for Harding County

There are currently no monitoring records for Harding County in the federal EPA Water Quality Portal. This lack of data prevents a detailed assessment of chemical or physical characteristic trends over the last five years.

Ute Creek Gauges Record Zero Flow

The primary USGS gauge at Ute Creek near Logan reports a current discharge of 0 cfs. This is 0% of the long-term mean of 18 cfs, indicating that this vital surface water path is currently dry.

Prioritize Private Testing During Extreme Drought

With Ute Creek running dry and a lack of federal monitoring data, residents relying on wells should perform regular private testing. Focus on conservation efforts as surface water scarcity puts increased pressure on the county's groundwater reserves.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Harding County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler high-plains weather

Harding County averages 54.2°F annually, which is slightly below the national median. This high-plains region experiences significant seasonal variability and lower-than-average humidity.

Representative of New Mexico climate

Harding is one of the few counties that sits right at the New Mexico state average of 54.8°F. It provides a quintessential New Mexican climate experience, neither the hottest nor the coldest in the state.

Moderate moisture on the plains

With 15.9 inches of annual precipitation, Harding is wetter than most southern counties but drier than the high-altitude Los Alamos. Its 17.7 inches of snow is nearly identical to Guadalupe's 17.9 inches.

Cold winters with mild summers

The county sees 43 days of heat over 90°F, significantly fewer than the southern deserts. Winters are cold, with a January average of 35.1°F and a winter-long average of 36.1°F.

Winterize for high-plains snow

Winterizing homes is critical to handle the 17.7 inches of snow and sub-freezing January nights. However, the 43 days of extreme heat mean air conditioning remains a summer necessity.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Harding County

via SoilByCounty

Top-Tier State Soil

Harding County boasts a 29.4 soil score, significantly outperforming the state average of 22.2. Its pH of 7.39 is slightly more acidic than the state average, though still more alkaline than the 6.5 national median.

Balanced Loam Potential

A balanced mix of 48.7% sand and 20.4% clay creates a versatile structure for plant roots. This composition allows for better nutrient holding and workability than sandier regions to the south.

New Mexico's Fertile Grounds

At 1.52% organic matter, this soil is among the most fertile in the state, exceeding the 1.27% New Mexico average. High water capacity of 0.142 in/in ensures plants stay hydrated between summer rains.

Managing High Runoff

Belonging to Hydrologic Group D, the soil exhibits high runoff potential when it becomes fully saturated. Proper land grading and contouring are essential to manage water flow on these northeastern plains.

Greenery in Zone 6b

Residents in Hardiness Zone 6b can grow cool-season greens and sturdy root crops. The relatively high organic matter makes this a prime spot for a thriving and productive home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Harding County

via LawnByCounty

Harding County Leads in Ease

Harding County is a New Mexico standout with a lawn difficulty score of 52.4, actually beating the national average. This makes it the easiest place in our eight-county set to maintain a lawn. Situated in Hardiness Zone 6b, the cooler climate offers a distinct advantage over the state's hotter regions.

The State’s Best Growing Balance

Harding County sees only 43 extreme heat days, which is much lower than the state average of 58. It receives 15.9 inches of annual precipitation, providing a better baseline than most of its neighbors. With 3365 growing degree days, grass grows at a more manageable pace that reduces the pressure on irrigation systems.

Alkaline Soil with Clay Mix

The soil has a pH of 7.39, which is slightly alkaline and may require some acidification for optimal grass health. A composition of 48.7% sand and 20.4% clay provides a balanced texture that is relatively common for the region. Regular aeration will help manage the clay content and improve the performance of your lawn's root system.

Resilient Against Regional Drought

Harding County has experienced only 12 weeks of drought over the past year, the best performance in this group. While the entire county is currently abnormally dry, there is no severe drought (D2+) recorded. This relative moisture stability makes Harding an ideal location for establishing a sustainable green space.

Timing Your 6b Lawn

Cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue can thrive here, though Buffalo grass remains a low-water favorite for the 15.9-inch rainfall. Plan your planting around the April 30th last frost date to avoid late-season snaps. With the first frost coming October 15th, you have a solid window to get your grass established.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harding County's county score?
Harding County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 71.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Harding County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Harding County ranks #1 among all counties in New Mexico on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Harding County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Harding County is $328, with an effective tax rate of 0.38%. This earns Harding County a tax score of 95.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Harding County?
The median household income in Harding County, New Mexico is $41,250 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Harding County earns an income score of 3.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Harding County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Harding County scores 71.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #1 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Harding County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Harding County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.