Lincoln County

New Mexico · NM

#18 in New Mexico
68.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, New Mexico

Lincoln scores above national average

Lincoln County's composite score of 68.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. The county ranks solidly in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties by livability.

Competitive within New Mexico

At 68.9, Lincoln County sits just below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, ranking it in the middle range of the state's counties. The county remains a viable livability option within the state.

Balance of affordability and health

Lincoln County offers a cost score of 81.8 with reasonable housing (median rent $883/month, homes at $212,200) and the highest health score in this group at 66.9. A tax score of 87.1 provides good fiscal stability.

Income growth remains constrained

The income score of 17.1 and median household income of $51,643 reflect limited local opportunities for wage growth. The county's risk score of 20.5, while moderate, suggests some environmental or economic sensitivities.

Solid choice for health-minded families

Lincoln County suits families and professionals valuing health outcomes and community wellness with moderate affordability and taxes. It appeals to those willing to accept modest local wages in exchange for quality-of-life advantages.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax87.1Cost81.8SafetyComing SoonHealth66.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.1Risk20.5WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼17.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
66.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
20.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln's hidden housing pressure

Lincoln County renters spend 20.5% of household income on rent, exceeding both the national comfort zone and New Mexico's state average of 19.4%. With a median household income of $51,643—31% below the national median—residents face a compressed budget despite moderate absolute rents of $883.

Above-average burden in low-income county

Lincoln County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% ranks among the state's higher burdens, placing it in the less affordable half of New Mexico's counties. This pressure reflects the county's struggle to match rising housing costs with local income growth.

Moderate rents, but modest incomes strain

Lincoln's $883 median rent is mid-range among this cluster, but the median income of $51,643 is substantially lower than Eddy County ($79,605) or Lea County ($68,750). The result: a 20.5% burden ratio that rivals Grant County's financial squeeze.

Scenic county, budget-constrained residents

Renters pay $883 monthly while owners pay $699, with median home values around $212,200—surprisingly high for a low-income county. At $51,643 median household income, housing consumes 20.5% of gross income, leaving limited flexibility for other expenses.

Lincoln: beautiful but budget-tight

Lincoln County offers mountain scenery and moderate rents, but income levels are modest relative to housing costs. Consider relocating here if you have remote work or retirement income; relying solely on local jobs may create financial strain.

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.

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Lincoln County achieves above-average longevity

At 75.8 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, and just 18.7% of residents report poor or fair health—the lowest rate in this county cluster. This strong showing reflects relatively good chronic disease management and health access.

Tops state averages despite modest uninsured rate

Lincoln County's life expectancy of 75.8 years substantially exceeds New Mexico's 73.7-year state average. Although the uninsured rate of 11.8% is slightly above the state's 10.2% average, the county's strong health outcomes suggest effective healthcare delivery despite these barriers.

Second-best health outcomes in region

Lincoln County's 75.8-year life expectancy is second only to Los Alamos County (83.0 years) and its 18.7% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in the southeastern cluster. With 64 primary care providers per 100,000 and 544 mental health providers per 100,000, Lincoln County has solid healthcare infrastructure.

Strong provider network supports healthy outcomes

Lincoln County's 64 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than double the regional average—enable timely diagnosis and management of chronic disease. Mental health support at 544 per 100,000 is robust, addressing depression and substance use disorders that often accompany aging populations.

Lock in coverage to protect your health gains

Though Lincoln County performs well overall, 11.8% of residents still lack health insurance—missing out on preventive care that preserves the county's strong outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov to ensure continuous coverage for you and your family.

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln County faces elevated disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 79.48, Lincoln County ranks as relatively low but still exceeds New Mexico's state average of 58.92. The county's above-average exposure, particularly to wildfire and flooding, warrants serious preparedness attention.

Third-riskiest county in the state

Lincoln County ranks in the upper tier of New Mexico counties by disaster vulnerability, surpassed only by Lea (86.01) and Eddy (83.65). This ranking reflects the county's significant exposure to water and fire hazards.

Comparable risk to nearby counties

Lincoln County's 79.48 score falls between neighboring Eddy (83.65) and Grant (74.14), placing it firmly in the regional high-risk corridor. This geographic position in south-central New Mexico concentrates hazard exposure from multiple directions.

Wildfire and flooding lead threats

Wildfire risk reaches 98.76—the highest in the state—while flood risk scores 77.61, making these the dominant concerns for Lincoln County residents. Tornado (10.34), earthquake (25.54), and hurricane (14.98) risks remain secondary but measurable.

Wildfire and flood insurance critical

Purchase homeowners insurance with robust wildfire coverage and acquire separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Implement defensible space measures immediately—trim trees, clear brush, and maintain gutters—as wildfire is Lincoln County's most pressing natural hazard.

ByCounty Network

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