1st Advantage MortgageThe median Hidalgo County household earns $48,882, and 23% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Hidalgo County, NM: the basics
- The Hidalgo County job picture
- Paychecks and income spread in Hidalgo County
- Renting and owning in Hidalgo County
- Hidalgo County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Hidalgo County
- Budget math at the Hidalgo County median
- Borrowing situations common in Hidalgo County
- Who lives in Hidalgo County, in numbers
- New Mexico rules that apply in Hidalgo County
- Four steps for Hidalgo County borrowers
- More guides for Hidalgo County
- Frequently asked questions
Hidalgo County, NM: the basics
Hidalgo County is home to about 4,041 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 29th most populous of 33 county-level areas in New Mexico. Land area is 3,439 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Hidalgo County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (2 incorporated, 6 census-designated); the largest is Lordsburg, with about 2,057 residents, or 51% of the county. With so few households sampled, Hidalgo County estimates can move a lot between releases.
The Hidalgo County job picture
The biggest employer of Hidalgo County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 30% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (14%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 20% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 9.9% of the total (5.6% statewide).
| Sector | Hidalgo County | Compared with New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.9% | +4.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.7% | +10.1 pts |
| Public administration | 12.0% | +4.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.0% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -1.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Hidalgo County
The median household income in Hidalgo County is $48,882; statewide it is $64,059, so Hidalgo County runs 24% below New Mexico as a whole.
| Households earning | Hidalgo County | +/- vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.6% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.3% | +3.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.3% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -4.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 21% of Hidalgo County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. Census counts 23.1% of Hidalgo County residents in poverty, against 17.8% across New Mexico. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.436 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hidalgo County median.
Renting and owning in Hidalgo County
A typical Hidalgo County rental runs $814 a month including utilities, which is 24% below New Mexico. 57% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $111,000, about 2.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 81% of homes. Median construction year: 1976.
| Measure | Hidalgo County | New Mexico | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $814/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $111,000 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 30.7% | 15.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 34% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Hidalgo County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Hidalgo County towns compared
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Hidalgo County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 3,043 people, so roughly 25% of residents live outside any named place. No Hidalgo County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lordsburg | city | 2,057 | $36,607 | $826 | 31 mi |
| Cotton City | CDP | 286 | $56,574 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Glen Acres | CDP | 247 | $99,688 | n/a | 33 mi |
| Animas | CDP | 186 | $103,125 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Virden | village | 175 | $126,094 | n/a | 57 mi |
| Windmill | CDP | 58 | $79,000 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Rodeo | CDP | 18 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Playas | CDP | 16 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
Regional comparison for Hidalgo County
Six nearby counties, 60 to 116 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Greenlee County leads the group on income ($71,164), Luna County trails ($36,419), and Hidalgo County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Arizona, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo County | - | $48,882 | $814/mo | 81% |
| Cochise County, AZ | 60 mi | $59,742 | $995/mo | 71% |
| Grant County, NM | 62 mi | $44,958 | $825/mo | 76% |
| Luna County, NM | 62 mi | $36,419 | $650/mo | 71% |
| Greenlee County, AZ | 97 mi | $71,164 | $648/mo | 53% |
| Graham County, AZ | 97 mi | $67,325 | $935/mo | 73% |
| Doña Ana County, NM | 116 mi | $56,848 | $934/mo | 65% |
Budget math at the Hidalgo County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Hidalgo County's medians:
- $4,074 a month: gross income for a household at the Hidalgo County median
- Median rent: $814, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
- $652: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in Hidalgo County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Hidalgo County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Hidalgo County. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 20% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 31% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Free help first. 23% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Who lives in Hidalgo County, in numbers
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. 13.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Hidalgo County | New Mexico statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.3% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.0% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.9% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.6% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.1% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 59.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 14.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.9% |
| 60+ min | 10.9% |
New Mexico rules that apply in Hidalgo County
Consumer lenders serving Hidalgo County are licensed by the state, not the county; in New Mexico that is the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on New Mexico: New Mexico personal loans.
Four steps for Hidalgo County borrowers
Quick steps for Hidalgo County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in New Mexico.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Hidalgo County
For statewide rules and data, see the New Mexico guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hidalgo County a high-income county?
Its $48,882 median ranks 23rd of 32 New Mexico counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Hidalgo County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $814 against $1,067 statewide, and 57% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Hidalgo County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Lordsburg?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Hidalgo County, such as Cotton City, Glen Acres, Animas.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Hidalgo County or elsewhere in New Mexico, the same rules apply.