1st Advantage MortgageLuna County households have a median income of $36,419 and median rent of $650 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Luna County by the numbers
- Employment and commuting in Luna County
- Paychecks and income spread in Luna County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Luna County
- How Luna County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Luna County
- A Luna County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Luna County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Luna County, in numbers
- Licensing and complaints for Luna County
- Steps before you apply in Luna County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Luna County by the numbers
Roughly 25,611 residents live in Luna County, New Mexico, 18th by population among the state's 33 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 2,965 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 9 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Luna County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (2 incorporated, 9 census-designated); the largest is Deming, with about 15,221 residents, or 59% of the county.
Employment and commuting in Luna County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 14%. Compared with New Mexico, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (10% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.4% in Luna County. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Top industries | Luna County share | +/- vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.9% | -0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.9% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.9% | +6.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.0% | +1.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.8% | +3.5 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 Luna County
Luna County households have a median income of $36,419 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 32nd of 32 in New Mexico.
| Band | Luna County | Compared with New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 48.7% | +20.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.6% | -2.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.3% | -11.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.4% | -5.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 14% of Luna County households make $100,000 or more, and 49% make less than $35,000. Census counts 28.6% of Luna County residents in poverty, against 17.8% across New Mexico. A household earning below the $36,419 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Luna County
A typical Luna County rental runs $650 a month including utilities, which is 39% below New Mexico. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $128,000, or 3.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median year built is 1980.
| Luna County | New Mexico | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $650/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $128,000 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 29.7% | 15.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 21% | 12% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
How Luna County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Luna County's, from 53 to 113 miles away. Income ranges from $41,600 in Sierra County to $71,164 in Greenlee County; all six of these neighbors top Luna County's median. The list crosses into Arizona, Texas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luna County | - | $36,419 | $650/mo | 71% |
| Grant County, NM | 53 mi | $44,958 | $825/mo | 76% |
| Doña Ana County, NM | 55 mi | $56,848 | $934/mo | 65% |
| Hidalgo County, NM | 62 mi | $48,882 | $814/mo | 81% |
| Sierra County, NM | 72 mi | $41,600 | $729/mo | 72% |
| El Paso County, TX | 93 mi | $59,806 | $1,079/mo | 64% |
| Greenlee County, AZ | 113 mi | $71,164 | $648/mo | 53% |
The communities that make up Luna County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Luna County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 20,356 people, so roughly 21% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $103,310 at the median in Pecan Park, $26,090 in Columbus. None of the 11 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deming | city | 15,221 | $34,165 | $586 | 5 mi |
| Keeler Farm | CDP | 1,376 | $43,750 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Columbus | village | 1,196 | $26,090 | $414 | 25 mi |
| La Hacienda | CDP | 640 | $30,541 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Ventura | CDP | 603 | $30,867 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Pecan Park | CDP | 575 | $103,310 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Sunshine | CDP | 524 | $45,076 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Pulpotio Bareas | CDP | 221 | $57,917 | n/a | 3 mi |
| City of the Sun | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 24 mi |
| Mountain View | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
| Old Town | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 25 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
A Luna County household budget, worked through
Luna County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $3,035 a month: gross income for a household at the Luna County median
- Median rent: $650, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $443 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Luna County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Reading the Luna County data as a borrower
Based on the Luna County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 30% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 29% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent squeeze. 50% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Who lives in Luna County, in numbers
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Luna County | New Mexico | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.6% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 24.7% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 28.6% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Luna County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.9% |
| 60+ min | 7.1% |
Licensing and complaints for Luna County
Luna County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the New Mexico state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Luna County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Luna County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the New Mexico license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New Mexico guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Luna County?
$36,419 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $64,059 for New Mexico. It ranks 32nd of 32 in the state.
How does Luna County rent compare with New Mexico?
$650 locally versus $1,067 for the state, 39% below.
Should Luna County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Luna County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Luna County?
By population: Deming, Keeler Farm, Columbus, La Hacienda, Ventura. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Are Luna County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.