countyscore
42.2
County Score
Property Tax 88.7Weather & Climate 54Cost of Living 51.1

County Report Card

About Roosevelt County, New Mexico

Trailing the National Median

Roosevelt County’s composite score of 41.9 falls below the national median of 50.0. This gap is largely driven by challenges in safety and environmental risk.

Slightly Under State Standards

The county's score of 41.9 is below the New Mexico average of 49.1. While it offers some benefits, it lags behind the state's top-performing counties in overall livability.

Exceptional Tax Benefits

The county’s strongest asset is its 91.6 tax score, backed by a very low 0.436% effective tax rate. Residents keep more of their $52,445 median household income compared to other regions.

Safety and Risk Obstacles

The county faces significant issues with safety (18.3) and environmental risk (15.9). These scores indicate a need for improved community security and disaster preparedness.

Suited for the Tax-Focused

Roosevelt County is best for individuals who prioritize maximizing their take-home pay through low property taxes. It appeals to those willing to trade local safety scores for significant tax savings.

2040608010088.751.118.33836.516.615.924.854Tax88.7Cost51.1Safety18.3Health38Schools36.5Income16.6Risk15.9Water24.8Weather5442.2/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Roosevelt County DNA

Foverall

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

Roosevelt County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (18.3/100), though Property Tax (88.7/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88.7+36.7
Cost
51.1
Safety
18.3-36.7
Health
38-12
Schools
36.5-17.5
Income
16.6-34.4
Risk
15.9-31.1
Water
24.8-33.2
Weather
54
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Compare mortgage rates in Roosevelt County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$135,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$898/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$135,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,685/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.1

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Roosevelt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Roosevelt County

via TaxByCounty

Roosevelt's taxes rank among the lowest nationally

Roosevelt County's effective tax rate of 0.436% places it in the lowest tier of American counties for property tax burden. Homeowners pay approximately $593 annually on the median property value, representing a 78% reduction compared to the national median tax bill of $2,690.

Roosevelt ranks second-lowest in state

Roosevelt County's 0.436% rate is the second-lowest in New Mexico, just slightly above Rio Arriba's 0.433%, and well below the state average of 0.595%. The median tax of $593 is 43% lower than the state median of $1,043, reflecting both the county's low rate and moderate home values.

Roosevelt near Rio Arriba in tax-friendliness

Roosevelt's 0.436% rate rivals Rio Arriba (0.433%) as the state's most affordable, substantially beating Luna (0.576%), Otero (0.563%), and Quay (0.617%). This cluster of southern and eastern New Mexico counties features Roosevelt among the most tax-friendly options available.

Median Roosevelt home: $593 annual tax

On Roosevelt's median home value of $136,000, property owners pay approximately $593 in annual taxes, among the lowest absolute amounts in New Mexico. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $837 after insurance and fees, while those owning outright pay around $486.

Appeal if your home is overvalued

Roosevelt's favorable tax environment means even small overassessments compound into unnecessary costs for homeowners. If your assessed value exceeds comparable homes recently sold in your neighborhood, file a free appeal with the county assessor to ensure accuracy.

Income & Jobs in Roosevelt County

via IncomeByCounty

Roosevelt earns 30% below national median

Roosevelt County's median household income of $52,445 falls 30% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in America's lower-income tier. However, Roosevelt performs above several neighboring rural New Mexico counties, suggesting some localized economic strength.

Upper-middle earner in New Mexico

Roosevelt County ranks in the upper half of New Mexico's 33 counties, with median household income of $52,445 just $3,024 below the state average of $55,469. Per capita income of $26,105 lags the state average by 20%, suggesting some income concentration among higher earners.

Competitive earner in eastern region

Roosevelt's $52,445 median exceeds Luna ($37,917), McKinley ($44,496), and Quay ($43,698) counties, but trails Rio Arriba ($53,901) and San Juan ($53,020) slightly. The county's relatively stronger position likely reflects government employment and agricultural operations supporting above-average local incomes.

Balanced housing costs and earnings

Roosevelt County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.8% sits just below the 20% affordability threshold, with median home values of $136,000 moderate for the region. The county offers reasonable housing affordability relative to median income, supporting stable household finances.

Strengthen financial foundations now

Roosevelt residents should establish emergency savings equivalent to 3-6 months of expenses, then prioritize retirement contributions and education investments. Exploring career advancement in agriculture, government, and healthcare—Roosevelt's primary employment sectors—offers direct paths to higher earnings.

Safety in Roosevelt County

via CrimeByCounty

Roosevelt County Crime Below National Levels

Roosevelt County reports 2173.2 crimes per 100K, staying below the national average of 2,385.5. The county carries a safety score of 96.6.

Roosevelt vs New Mexico Averages

The county's safety score is slightly below the state average of 97.4. However, its total crime rate is higher than the statewide average of 1638.5 per 100K.

Comparing Roosevelt and Quay Counties

Roosevelt County has a crime rate of 2173.2, which is more than double the 1029.9 rate found in nearby Quay. Three reporting agencies provide the data for this county profile.

Higher Violent Crime in Roosevelt

The violent crime rate is 412.7 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 369.8. Property crime also stays relatively high at 1760.5 per 100K.

Securing Your Home Against Property Crime

Given the property crime rate, residents should focus on securing entry points and using perimeter lighting. Neighborhood watch programs can also help reduce incident rates.

Weather & Climate in Roosevelt County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Winds and Sunny Plains

Roosevelt County averages 58.9°F, placing it on the warmer end of the national spectrum. It is a semi-arid region that receives 16.5 inches of annual precipitation.

A Warmer Corner of the State

At 58.9°F, Roosevelt County is significantly warmer than the New Mexico average of 54.8°F. It also receives more moisture than the state average, recording 16.5 inches of precipitation.

The Hot High Plains

Roosevelt experiences 82 days of extreme heat, very similar to Quay County's 81 days. However, Roosevelt is much drier in the winter, seeing only 8.5 inches of snow compared to Quay's 15.5 inches.

Long Summers and Light Snow

Summers are hot and extended, with 82 days reaching above 90°F and a July average of 78.6°F. Winters are manageable at 40.6°F with relatively light snowfall of 8.5 inches.

Focus on Heat Mitigation

With 82 days of extreme heat, residents should invest in quality window shading and AC maintenance. The 16.5 inches of rain often comes in bursts, making soil moisture management important for local landscapes.

Soil Quality in Roosevelt County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Alkaline Plains Soil

Roosevelt County soils have an average pH of 7.64, making them more alkaline than both the state average (7.48) and the national median (6.5). This alkaline environment is typical of the limestone-influenced geology found in eastern New Mexico.

The Sand Dominance of Roosevelt

The soil is comprised of 65.5% sand, 17.7% silt, and 15.8% clay, classified as an extremely gravelly loam. This high sand content provides excellent workability and prevents compaction but may lead to faster nutrient leaching.

Average State Fertility Levels

Organic matter sits at 1.24%, nearly matching the New Mexico state average of 1.27%. The available water capacity is 0.118 in/in, which is slightly below the state mean and requires attentive irrigation for thirsty crops.

Well-Drained Agricultural Land

These soils are moderately well-drained and fall into hydrologic group B, indicating a moderate infiltration rate. This makes the land generally favorable for both building foundations and diverse agricultural uses with minimal runoff risk.

Peanut Capital in Zone 7b

Roosevelt County’s sandy soils and 7b hardiness zone are world-famous for producing sweet potatoes and peanuts. Local gardeners should capitalize on the sandy texture to grow deep-rooted crops and heat-loving melons.

Lawn Care in Roosevelt County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Turf Conditions in Roosevelt County

Roosevelt County faces significant lawn care hurdles with a difficulty score of 23.9, which is less than half the national average. Homeowners in zone 7b must navigate high heat and specific soil needs to maintain healthy grass.

Heat Stress and High Growth Potential

The area experiences 82 extreme heat days and 4460 growing degree days, creating a high demand for water. Annual precipitation of 16.5 inches provides a base, but it is not enough to offset the drying effects of the 78.6°F July average.

Managing Gravelly and Sandy Soil

The soil is extremely gravelly loam with 65.5% sand, leading to fast drainage that can leave roots thirsty. With an alkaline pH of 7.64, you will likely need to apply sulfur to bring the soil closer to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range.

Drought Recovery and Conservation

Roosevelt County spent 40 weeks in drought over the last year, though currently, 0% of the area is in severe drought. Utilizing drought-resistant grass and maintaining a sharp mower blade will help keep your turf resilient against future dry spells.

Timing Your Roosevelt County Lawn

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda thrive in the 7b zone and sandy soil. Start your lawn after the April 21 frost date to ensure roots are deep enough to handle the 82 days of 90°F+ weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Roosevelt County's county score?
Roosevelt County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 42.2 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 Roosevelt County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Roosevelt County ranks #23 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 Roosevelt County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Roosevelt County is $616, with an effective tax rate of 0.45%. This earns Roosevelt County a tax score of 88.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Roosevelt County?
The median household income in Roosevelt County, New Mexico is $52,685 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Roosevelt County earns an income score of 16.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Roosevelt County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Roosevelt County scores 42.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #23 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt 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.