1st Advantage MortgageCurry County (47,638 residents) has a $57,309 median household income and $1,024 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Curry County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- First look: Curry County, NM
- The $57,309 median and what sits around it
- How Curry County ranks in New Mexico
- The Curry County housing market in figures
- Employment and commuting in Curry County
- Curry County communities by population
- How Curry County compares with nearby counties
- Who lives in Curry County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Curry County borrowers
- Budget math at the Curry County median
- Checklist for Curry County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Curry County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Curry County, NM
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Curry County's population at 47,638; only 11 of New Mexico's 33 county-level areas are larger. Its 1,406 square miles average 34 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Clovis is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 37,942 people (80% of the county total).
The $57,309 median and what sits around it
Median household income in Curry County: $57,309 (11% below New Mexico, $64,059). That places it 10th among New Mexico's 32 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Curry County | Difference from New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.9% | +2.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +4.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.1% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -3.3 pts |
31% under $35,000 and 25% at $100,000 or more: that is the Curry County income split. Curry County counts about 9,770 residents below the poverty line, 20.5% of the population. Gini index for Curry County: 0.461. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Curry County median.
How Curry County ranks in New Mexico
The 3 Curry County numbers that rank furthest from typical in New Mexico, and what each means for a borrower:
- On median age, Curry County sits near the bottom of New Mexico at 31.9, the lowest of 33. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- Homeownership: 63% in Curry County. Only 1 of 33 New Mexico counties are lower. In a renter-heavy county, unsecured loans and cards are the main options.
- On the share of mobile homes, Curry County sits near the bottom of New Mexico at 7.8%, 4th lowest of 33. Site-built housing dominates, which matters for equity-based credit.
The Curry County housing market in figures
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,024 in Curry County versus $1,067 statewide. By the Census definition, 48% of Curry County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $171,200, a typical Curry County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 63% of homes. Nationally, Curry County's $1,024 rent is 17% above the middle county.
| Home costs | Curry County | New Mexico | Compared with New Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,024/mo | $1,067/mo | 4% lower |
| Median home value | $171,200 | $248,100 | 31% lower |
| Owners | 63% | 70% | -7.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 50% | -2.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 29% | +0.6 pts |
Employment and commuting in Curry County
Top Curry County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 25%; second, retail trade, 13%. The sharpest difference from the state is in transportation, warehousing and utilities, at 9% locally and 5% for New Mexico. 8.2% of Curry County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 82% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 1,141 Curry County households, 6.1%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Curry County share | +/- vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.7% | -1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.7% | +3.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.3% | -4.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Curry County communities by population
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Curry County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 41,860 people, so roughly 12% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $54,820 in Clovis to $65,000 in Texico. Rent is cheapest in Texico ($973) and steepest in Cannon AFB ($1,206). From Clovis to the smallest crossroads, Curry County residents share this guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis | city | 37,942 | $54,820 | $988 | 13 mi |
| Cannon AFB | CDP | 2,405 | $63,000 | $1,206 | 13 mi |
| Texico | city | 967 | $65,000 | $973 | 21 mi |
| Melrose | village | 447 | $32,750 | $833 | 19 mi |
| Grady | village | 99 | $71,101 | $525 | 17 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Curry County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Parmer County at 32 miles out to Castro County at 62. Richest neighbor: Parmer County, $69,735. Poorest: Quay County, $41,946. Curry County: $57,309. Some neighbors are in Texas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Curry County resident follows New Mexico rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curry County | - | $57,309 | $1,024/mo | 63% |
| Parmer County, TX | 32 mi | $69,735 | $1,081/mo | 72% |
| Quay County, NM | 39 mi | $41,946 | $712/mo | 72% |
| Roosevelt County, NM | 39 mi | $52,685 | $898/mo | 61% |
| Bailey County, TX | 46 mi | $61,420 | $931/mo | 80% |
| Deaf Smith County, TX | 49 mi | $60,799 | $926/mo | 67% |
| Castro County, TX | 62 mi | $56,776 | $896/mo | 64% |
Who lives in Curry County, in numbers
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. 10.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Curry County | vs New Mexico | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 3.7% | -8.5 pts | -5.0 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.3% | -7.7 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Median age | 31.9 | -7.5 yrs | -9.6 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 16.9% | +5.0 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | +2.7 pts | +7.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.2% | +2.2 pts | +3.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | +0.5 pts | +0.7 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | +0.4 pts | +2.2 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Curry County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.9% |
| 60+ min | 3.7% |
What the numbers mean for Curry County borrowers
Curry County-specific points to check:
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Help that costs nothing. About 9,770 Curry County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
- Rent at $1,024. With 48% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
Budget math at the Curry County median
Curry County's $57,309 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,776 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $1,024 uses 21%
- $695: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
A household below the $57,309 median has less room than this, often none.
Checklist for Curry County applicants
A short checklist for Curry County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Curry County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Curry County resident can confirm its license with the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The New Mexico page has statewide figures to set beside Curry County's.
Keep exploring
No city in Curry County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Curry County earn?
The median is $57,309; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Curry County rent compare with New Mexico?
$1,024 locally versus $1,067 for the state, 4% below.
Which towns does the Curry County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Clovis, Cannon AFB, Texico, Melrose, Grady.
Can Curry 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Curry County?
Start with the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.