CountyScore

Quay County

New Mexico · NM

#9 in New Mexico
72.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Quay County, New Mexico

Quay County exceeds national median

Quay County's composite score of 72.3 well exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. This strong showing reflects competitive livability across key dimensions.

Above state average, solid performer

At 72.3, Quay County exceeds the New Mexico state average of 69.8 and ranks in the upper half of these eight counties. It demonstrates consistent livability strengths relative to state peers.

Outstanding risk resilience and affordability

Quay County's risk score of 74.1 is the highest in this group, suggesting strong economic and environmental resilience. Combined with excellent cost (86.9) and tax scores (84.9), it offers exceptional household financial security.

Lower incomes and modest health services

The income score of 11.9 reflects a median household income of $43,698, limiting economic advancement. Health outcomes (59.6) are adequate but don't match the county's other strengths.

Perfect for stability-focused rural families

Quay County appeals to families prioritizing financial security, affordability, and environmental resilience over income growth. It's ideal for those with stable, external income sources seeking a secure, low-cost rural setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.9Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth59.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.9Risk74.1WaterComing Soon
🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Quay County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Butler County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,881
Choctaw County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,483
Hale County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $41,325
Pike County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $47,961
Gilchrist County
Florida
72.3
Median income: $61,070

Deep Dives

Quay County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Quay County

via TaxByCounty

Quay's taxes remain below national levels

Quay County's effective tax rate of 0.617% is substantially lower than the national median, with homeowners paying $507 annually on the median property value. This represents approximately 81% less than the national median tax bill of $2,690, positioning Quay among the lowest-taxed counties nationwide.

Quay slightly above state average

Quay County's 0.617% rate runs slightly above New Mexico's state average of 0.595%, reflecting a deliberate local funding strategy for county services. The median tax of $507 remains about 51% below the state median of $1,043, driven by Quay's relatively low median home values of $82,200.

Quay higher than neighbors but reasonable

Quay's 0.617% rate exceeds Mora (0.535%), Luna (0.576%), and Otero (0.563%), making it the highest among this cluster—yet still far below McKinley's 1.889%. For homeowners seeking rural living, Quay offers a modest rate premium that may reflect quality-of-life investments.

Median Quay home: $507 annual tax

On Quay's median home value of $82,200, property owners pay approximately $507 in annual taxes, one of the lowest absolute amounts in the state. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $664 after insurance and fees, while those owning outright pay around $449.

Appeal your assessment if incorrect

Even with Quay's modest tax rates, homeowners should verify that their assessed values match recent market sales in their neighborhoods. Filing a free assessment appeal with the county can ensure you're not paying extra on an overstated valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Quay County

via CostByCounty

Quay County rents affordable, incomes modest

Quay County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio sits above New Mexico's 19.4% state average, reflecting modest incomes of $43,698 against the national $74,755. At $752 monthly rent, Quay County offers among New Mexico's cheapest housing, yet residents' lower wages still create affordability pressure.

Low rents, moderate affordability challenge

Quay County rents of $752 rank among New Mexico's lowest, yet the 20.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state 19.4% average due to below-median county incomes. This reveals a common rural pattern: cheap housing insufficient to offset tight family budgets.

Cheapest rents in rural peer group

Quay County's $752 rent is undercut only by Luna County at $685, making it one of the most affordable rental markets in the region. McKinley and Mora counties match Quay's prices near $810 and $785, while San Juan ($917) and Otero ($926) represent pricier alternatives.

Renters and owners face similar burdens

Quay County renters spend $752 monthly while homeowners spend $527—both modest by state standards but significant for the $43,698 median income. Renters dedicate 20.6% of gross income to housing; homeowners spend roughly 14.5%, showing homeownership provides modest financial relief.

Bargain rents for remote-income relocators

Quay County offers some of New Mexico's cheapest rents and home values of just $82,200, making it ideal for remote workers or retirees with external income. If relocating with local job expectations, verify that available positions match your financial needs, as county median income remains modest at $43,698.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Quay County

via IncomeByCounty

Quay earns 42% below national median

Quay County's median household income of $43,698 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by 42%, ranking it among America's lowest-earning counties. This substantial gap reflects Quay's dependence on agriculture and energy sectors with limited economic diversification.

Third-lowest earner in New Mexico

Quay County ranks third from last among New Mexico's 33 counties, with median household income of $43,698 versus the state average of $55,469—a gap of $11,771 per household. Per capita income of $27,087 also falls 17% below New Mexico's average of $32,602.

Part of low-income eastern corridor

Quay's $43,698 median places it between Luna ($37,917) and McKinley ($44,496) in New Mexico's economically weakest cluster. The three counties share similar challenges: rural location, agriculture/energy dependence, and limited employment diversification.

Affordable housing offsets low wages

Quay County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% sits near the affordability threshold, and median home values of $82,200 remain among the lowest in the state. While housing remains affordable, the combination of low income and high cost of living elsewhere limits household financial cushion.

Invest in skills for higher earnings potential

Quay residents should prioritize workforce training in healthcare, renewable energy, and skilled trades, where wage premiums can substantially exceed local medians. Pursuing education credentials while maintaining lower housing costs offers the fastest path to breaking out of Quay's low-income trajectory.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Quay County

via HealthByCounty

Quay County Life Expectancy Falls Short Nationally

At 70.3 years, Quay County residents live 2.8 years shorter than the U.S. average of 73.1 years, placing the county in the lower spectrum of American health outcomes. Nearly 24% report poor or fair health, approaching the national average and indicating meaningful chronic disease burden.

Below Average for New Mexico

Quay County's 70.3-year life expectancy falls 3.4 years below New Mexico's state average of 73.7 years, ranking the county in the lower half statewide. The 23.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state typical burden, though not as severely as counties like McKinley.

Challenged Compared to Eastern Peers

Quay County's 70.3-year life expectancy trails nearby Roosevelt County (74.4 years) by 4 years and significantly lags Otero County (74.9 years) to the south. The 4-year disadvantage versus Roosevelt reflects localized health disparities in the state's panhandle regions.

Severe Primary Care Shortage, Strong Mental Health

Quay County has just 12 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in this county set—making routine medical care difficult to access for residents. Strikingly, the county reports 1,398 mental health providers per 100K, an outlier figure that may reflect data anomalies; nonetheless, the 10.2% uninsured rate matches the state average.

Secure Coverage and Seek Local Care

Quay County residents at 10.2% uninsured match the state rate but should explore Healthcare.gov or Medicaid to access available services and mental health support. With limited primary care nearby, having insurance is critical for traveling to distant providers when needed.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Quay County

via RiskByCounty

Quay County: Lowest risk in New Mexico

Quay County scores 25.95 on composite risk, earning a Very Low rating and placing it well below the national average. This minimal risk profile reflects a community with limited exposure to the multi-hazard threats that challenge many U.S. counties.

New Mexico's safest county by far

Quay County's 25.95 score makes it the least hazard-exposed county in New Mexico, dramatically below the state average of 58.92. No other county in the state comes close to Quay's minimal composite risk ranking.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Quay County's 25.95 score is substantially lower than neighboring Roosevelt and Curry counties, making it one of the region's safest communities. Its risk profile stands in stark contrast to the higher-risk counties that surround it.

Wildfire and tornado are minor concerns

Wildfire risk at 85.72 is Quay County's highest hazard, though tornado risk at 13.26 represents a secondary concern typical of the plains region. Flood and earthquake risks remain minimal, contributing to the county's overall very low composite risk.

Standard homeowners insurance sufficient

Quay County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance should provide adequate protection for most residents. However, those with properties in specific wildfire-prone areas should verify wildfire coverage is included, and tornado-vulnerable homes should confirm wind and hail protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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