1st Advantage MortgageCatron County households have a median income of $49,864 and median rent of $736 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in New Mexico before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Catron County
- Work, industries and travel time in Catron County
- Paychecks and income spread in Catron County
- What it costs to live in Catron County
- The communities that make up Catron County
- Counties near Catron County
- What a median Catron County budget can carry
- Catron County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Catron County
- Who licenses lenders for Catron County residents
- A Catron County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Catron County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Catron County's population at 3,743; only 30 of New Mexico's 33 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 6,924 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Catron County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 18 Census places inside Catron County, Reserve leads by population with about 402; 1 of the 18 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Catron County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Work, industries and travel time in Catron County
The biggest employer of Catron County residents, by industry, is transportation, warehousing and utilities at 17% of workers, followed by arts, lodging and food service (16%). Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.2% in Catron County. About 49% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 5.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Catron County | Gap to New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 16.5% | +11.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 16.0% | +6.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.5% | -11.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.8% | +3.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.3% | -2.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% | +5.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Catron County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Catron County
The median household income in Catron County is $49,864; statewide it is $64,059, so Catron County runs 22% below New Mexico as a whole. That places it 21st among New Mexico's 32 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Catron County | Difference from New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 43.7% | +15.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.6% | -0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.7% | -6.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 0.0% | -7.8 pts |
About 44% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 24.8%, 7 points higher than the state's 17.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.388 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $49,864 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Catron County
Renters in Catron County pay a median of $736 a month, 31% below the New Mexico figure of $1,067. By the Census definition, 49% of Catron County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $167,000, about 3.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 94% of homes. The median year built is 1986.
| Home costs | Catron County | New Mexico | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $736/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $167,000 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 94% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 46% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 48% | 12% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The communities that make up Catron County
The table lists the 14 largest of 18 Census places in Catron County, by population. Together all 18 hold about 1,746 people, so roughly 53% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Catron County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve | village | 402 | n/a | n/a | 25 mi |
| Pleasanton | CDP | 259 | $83,375 | n/a | 51 mi |
| Rancho Grande | CDP | 254 | n/a | n/a | 31 mi |
| Glenwood | CDP | 160 | n/a | n/a | 49 mi |
| Pie Town | CDP | 147 | n/a | n/a | 33 mi |
| Quemado | CDP | 100 | n/a | n/a | 31 mi |
| Luna | CDP | 72 | $25,526 | n/a | 32 mi |
| Middle Frisco | CDP | 70 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
| Aragon | CDP | 65 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Alma | CDP | 52 | n/a | n/a | 46 mi |
| Escudilla Bonita | CDP | 48 | n/a | n/a | 39 mi |
| Rivers | CDP | 48 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
| Apache Creek | CDP | 22 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Cruzville | CDP | 22 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Counties near Catron County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (67 to 107 miles). Income ranges from $36,570 in Socorro County to $71,164 in Greenlee County; 3 of these neighbors top Catron County's median. The list crosses into Arizona, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catron County | - | $49,864 | $736/mo | 94% |
| Greenlee County, AZ | 67 mi | $71,164 | $648/mo | 53% |
| Cibola County, NM | 74 mi | $50,759 | $759/mo | 76% |
| Grant County, NM | 81 mi | $44,958 | $825/mo | 76% |
| Socorro County, NM | 84 mi | $36,570 | $691/mo | 75% |
| Sierra County, NM | 88 mi | $41,600 | $729/mo | 72% |
| Valencia County, NM | 107 mi | $58,933 | $1,015/mo | 83% |
What a median Catron County budget can carry
Here is the Catron County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $49,864 a year is $4,155 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $736, which is 18% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $718 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $1,870 total minus rent leaves $1,134
If your rent is above $736, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Catron County residents: age, schooling, coverage
31% of Catron County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.3%, against 9.6% for New Mexico.
| Catron County | New Mexico | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 63.8 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.2% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 2.0% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 22.7% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.8% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Catron County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.5% |
| 60+ min | 8.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Catron County
What the Catron County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Keeping the car running. At 19% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Catron County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 38% of Catron County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Older households. A 63.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Free help first. 25% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Who licenses lenders for Catron County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Catron County borrowers answers to the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the New Mexico state guide for the statewide picture.
A Catron County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Catron County borrowers:
- Price the Catron County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New Mexico borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The New Mexico guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Catron County?
$49,864 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $64,059 for New Mexico. It ranks 21st of 32 in the state.
What do renters pay in Catron County?
$736 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
I own my home in Catron County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 94% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Catron County?
By population: Reserve, Pleasanton, Rancho Grande, Glenwood, Pie Town. The county has 18 Census places in all.
Can Catron County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every New Mexico county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.