countyscore
57.5
County Score
Safety 92Property Tax 80.3Weather & Climate 54.6

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, New Mexico

Healthy National Standing

Lincoln County earns a composite score of 58.3, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high degree of safety and moderate affordability compared to other American counties.

Beating the State Average

With a 58.3 composite score, Lincoln County ranks comfortably above the New Mexico average of 49.1. It is a desirable destination for those looking for a safer alternative within the state.

Outstanding Safety and Tax Scores

Safety is a premier feature here, with an elite score of 92.0. Residents also benefit from a high Tax Score of 82.0, keeping more of their income despite a higher-than-average median home value of $212,200.

Economic and Natural Risks

Challenges include a low Income Score of 17.9 and a Risk Score of 20.5. The county also faces water concerns, with a Water Score of 20.2 reflecting the region's environmental vulnerabilities.

A Secure Retreat for Families

Lincoln County is an excellent fit for safety-conscious families or retirees who prioritize a secure environment. It works best for those who have established careers or retirement savings to offset the limited local income opportunities.

2040608010080.353.89246.835.518.120.520.254.6Tax80.3Cost53.8Safety92Health46.8Schools35.5Income18.1Risk20.5Water20.2Weather54.657.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Lincoln County DNA

Foverall

How Lincoln County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Lincoln County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (92/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (20.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
80.3+28.299999999999997
Cost
53.8
Safety
92+37
Health
46.8
Schools
35.5-18.5
Income
18.1-32.9
Risk
20.5-26.5
Water
20.2-37.8
Weather
54.6
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Compare mortgage rates in Lincoln County

Whether buying or refinancing in Lincoln County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$233,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$956/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$233,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,303/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

49.4

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County taxes remain well below national median

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.539% sits below the national burden typical of most U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,143 is less than 43% of the national median of $2,690.

Slightly above New Mexico average

Lincoln County's 0.539% effective rate inches above New Mexico's 0.595% state average, placing it in the middle tier statewide. The median property tax of $1,143 runs roughly $100 above the state median of $1,043.

Higher than nearby counties to the east

Lincoln County's 0.539% rate exceeds Eddy County's 0.499% and Guadalupe County's 0.525%, though it remains competitive with Los Alamos. The variation reflects Lincoln's position as a bridge between rural eastern plains and more developed central New Mexico.

Lincoln homeowner pays $1,143 yearly

With a median home value of $212,200 and a 0.539% effective rate, the typical Lincoln County homeowner pays $1,143 annually. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,435, while those without mortgages pay $882.

Appeal if your home seems overvalued

Lincoln County homeowners should verify their assessments against comparable property sales in their area. If your assessed value exceeds recent sales of similar homes, an appeal to the assessor can reduce your tax burden going forward.

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln moderately below national mark

Lincoln County's median household income of $51,643 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $23,100, placing it in the lower-middle income range nationally. Limited economic scale and job concentration affect household earnings.

Slightly below state average

Lincoln County's median household income of $51,643 falls about $3,800 below New Mexico's state average of $55,469. The county ranks in the middle tier of New Mexico counties by household earning power.

Mid-range among surrounding counties

Lincoln County households earn $51,643, below Lea County ($68,750) and Eddy County ($79,605) but above Grant County ($45,921) and Guadalupe County ($40,149). The county holds a middle position in the region's income hierarchy.

Higher home values strain affordability

Lincoln County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% is moderate, but median home values of $212,200 represent a significant affordability challenge for households earning $51,643. Home purchases require careful financial planning and substantial down payments.

Balanced planning needed here

Lincoln County residents with $51,643 median income face a tension between modest earnings and higher housing costs, requiring deliberate financial choices. Build emergency savings aggressively, explore first-time homebuyer programs if purchasing, and seek professional guidance on balancing homeownership with broader wealth-building goals.

Safety in Lincoln County

via CrimeByCounty

Lincoln County Ranks Among the Safest

With a safety score of 99.8, Lincoln County is remarkably secure. Its total crime rate of 128.5 per 100K is tiny compared to the national average of 2,385.5.

Top-Tier Safety in New Mexico

Lincoln’s safety score far exceeds the New Mexico state average of 97.4. The total crime rate of 128.5 is incredibly low compared to the statewide average of 1638.5.

Quiet Comparison to Surrounding Areas

Lincoln County is a regional safety leader, reporting much lower crime than Guadalupe's 1178.3. This makes it one of the most tranquil counties in its part of the state.

Minimal Crime Across All Categories

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at 24.7 per 100K, while property crime is also low at 103.8. Residents are very unlikely to encounter serious criminal activity according to 2022 data.

Small Steps to Keep Lincoln Safe

Maintaining this safe environment is a community effort; continue locking your vehicle doors at night. Simple precautions ensure the county remains a peaceful place to live.

Weather & Climate in Lincoln County

via WeatherByCounty

A perfect national temperature median

Lincoln County's 54.7°F average annual temperature matches the national median almost perfectly. This central mountain region offers a temperate climate that avoids the extreme heat of the lower deserts.

Standard New Mexico mountain weather

Lincoln is statistically a middle-of-the-road county, sitting right at the state average of 54.8°F. Its elevation provides a cool refuge compared to the nearby scorching plains.

Snowier than its southern peers

With 20.2 inches of annual snowfall, Lincoln is much whiter in winter than neighboring Lea or Eddy. It also receives 16.6 inches of rain, making it one of the wetter counties in the southern half of the state.

Pleasant summers and snowy winters

Summers are pleasant with only 35 days of extreme heat and a July average of 72.4°F. Winters are more rigorous, featuring a January average of 37.7°F and over 20 inches of snow.

Equip for mountain snow removal

Residents need reliable snow removal equipment and winter tires to navigate the 20.2 inches of annual snowfall. HVAC systems should be rated for both heating and cooling to handle the wide seasonal range.

Soil Quality in Lincoln County

via SoilByCounty

Mountainous Soil Diversity

Lincoln County's varied mountain terrain means soil characteristics change quickly with elevation. Specific taxonomic and pH data are currently limited for this geographically complex region.

Rocky Mountain Textures

While specific sand and clay percentages are not recorded, the area typically features rocky soils with high mineral content. These well-aerated soils are common in the high-elevation pine forests.

Boosting Local Nutrients

Without local organic matter data, gardeners should aim to improve their garden beds beyond the state's 1.27% average. Healthy organic content is crucial for overcoming the limitations of rocky terrain.

Rapid Slope Runoff

Hydrological classifications vary by site, but the steep slopes found here generally ensure rapid water runoff. Proper soil stabilization is necessary to prevent erosion in residential landscaping.

High-Altitude Zone 7a

Hardiness Zone 7a is perfect for hardy fruit trees like cherries and mountain-adapted wildflowers. Local gardeners should test their specific plot to determine its unique mineral needs.

Lawn Care in Lincoln County

via LawnByCounty

Lincoln County’s High-Altitude Advantage

Lincoln County offers a relatively favorable environment for New Mexico, with a difficulty score of 36.4. This is higher than the state average of 30.2, though still lower than the national benchmark of 50.0. In Hardiness Zone 7a, the cooler temperatures make lawn maintenance more manageable than in the southern deserts.

More Rain and Less Heat

Lincoln County enjoys 16.6 inches of annual precipitation, which is the second-highest in this set. It also stays cooler, with only 35 extreme heat days annually, well below the state average of 58. These factors reduce the evaporation rate and irrigation demand during the 3232 growing degree days.

Testing for Mountain Soil Success

Local soil data is not currently available, which is common in mountainous or varied terrain. Because soil can vary from rocky to loamy in this region, a professional soil test is highly recommended. Focus on monitoring drainage to ensure mountain runoff doesn't wash away your topsoil or nutrients.

Low Severe Drought Impact

While Lincoln County has seen 53 weeks of drought over the last year, only 0.7% of the area is currently in severe drought. The entire county remains abnormally dry, but the impact is less severe than in neighboring counties. Efficient watering early in the morning will help maintain resilience against these dry spells.

Preparing for the First Frost

Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue can perform well here if supplemented with water, given the cooler 35 heat days. Wait for the last spring frost on April 29th to begin your lawn projects. Be mindful of the early October 20th first fall frost, which limits the time young grass has to harden off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lincoln County's county score?
Lincoln County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 57.5 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 Lincoln County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Lincoln County ranks #9 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 Lincoln County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Lincoln County is $1,246, with an effective tax rate of 0.53%. This earns Lincoln County a tax score of 80.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
The median household income in Lincoln County, New Mexico is $53,303 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lincoln County earns an income score of 18.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lincoln County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Lincoln County scores 57.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #9 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Lincoln 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 Lincoln County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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