1st Advantage MortgageAbout 80% of Rio Arriba County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $57,155. 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 Rio Arriba County
- How Rio Arriba County residents earn a living
- Income in Rio Arriba County compared with New Mexico
- Renting and owning in Rio Arriba County
- The communities that make up Rio Arriba County
- Counties near Rio Arriba County
- Debt-to-income at Rio Arriba County's medians
- More Rio Arriba County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Rio Arriba County
- Checklist for Rio Arriba County applicants
- Lender oversight for Rio Arriba County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Rio Arriba County
Roughly 40,070 residents live in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, 13th by population among the state's 33 counties and county equivalents. It covers 5,861 square miles of land, or about 7 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Rio Arriba County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Dulce is the biggest of its 37 Census places, at roughly 3,218 people (8% of the county total).
How Rio Arriba County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Rio Arriba County residents work in education and health care and 21% in professional and administrative services. Compared with New Mexico, the county leans toward professional and administrative services (21% against 13%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Rio Arriba County. 30% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. Households without a car make up 3.8% of the total (5.6% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Rio Arriba County workers | vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | -3.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 20.6% | +7.7 pts |
| Public administration | 12.2% | +4.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Rio Arriba County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Rio Arriba County compared with New Mexico
At $57,155, the typical Rio Arriba County household income is 13% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 11th among New Mexico's 32 county-level areas.
| Household income | Rio Arriba County | vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.3% | +2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | +2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.0% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -1.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Rio Arriba County households make $100,000 or more, and 31% make less than $35,000. Census counts 18.2% of Rio Arriba County residents in poverty, against 17.8% across New Mexico. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Rio Arriba County
Renters in Rio Arriba County pay a median of $740 a month, 31% below the New Mexico figure of $1,067. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 34% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $243,700, about 4.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Median construction year: 1984.
| Cost | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $740/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $243,700 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 35.9% | 15.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 21% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Rio Arriba 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.
The communities that make up Rio Arriba County
37 Census places fall mainly inside Rio Arriba County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 21,222 residents, leaving about 47% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $104,162 at the median in La Villita, $26,923 in Hernandez. Median rent ranges from $550 in Dulce to $1,259 in San Jose. Live in one of these Rio Arriba County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dulce | CDP | 3,218 | $39,773 | $550 | 35 mi |
| La Mesilla | CDP | 2,697 | $81,438 | $1,012 | 53 mi |
| Dixon | CDP | 1,623 | $54,231 | n/a | 50 mi |
| La Villita | CDP | 1,534 | $104,162 | n/a | 45 mi |
| Ohkay Owingeh | CDP | 1,194 | $47,067 | $719 | 48 mi |
| Los Luceros | CDP | 1,136 | n/a | n/a | 46 mi |
| El Rito | CDP | 1,102 | n/a | n/a | 31 mi |
| Chamita | CDP | 867 | $68,472 | $938 | 45 mi |
| Chama | village | 776 | $30,694 | $570 | 27 mi |
| San Jose | CDP | 776 | $80,179 | $1,259 | 46 mi |
| Hernandez | CDP | 769 | $26,923 | $894 | 45 mi |
| Santa Clara Pueblo | CDP | 733 | $46,875 | $1,052 | 50 mi |
| Truchas | CDP | 528 | n/a | n/a | 59 mi |
| El Duende | CDP | 454 | $124,081 | n/a | 44 mi |
Counties near Rio Arriba County
Los Alamos County is closest, 49 miles from center to center; the sixth, Rio Grande County, is 69 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Rio Arriba County; Los Alamos County is highest at $147,139 and Conejos County lowest at $50,978. Some neighbors are in Colorado. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Rio Arriba County resident follows New Mexico rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Arriba County | - | $57,155 | $740/mo | 80% |
| Los Alamos County, NM | 49 mi | $147,139 | $1,375/mo | 75% |
| Archuleta County, CO | 52 mi | $83,065 | $1,432/mo | 80% |
| Conejos County, CO | 56 mi | $50,978 | $748/mo | 77% |
| Sandoval County, NM | 58 mi | $86,636 | $1,427/mo | 84% |
| Taos County, NM | 59 mi | $58,950 | $1,034/mo | 78% |
| Rio Grande County, CO | 69 mi | $64,411 | $945/mo | 67% |
Debt-to-income at Rio Arriba County's medians
How much room does a median Rio Arriba County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $57,155 a year is $4,763 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $740, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,308 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Rio Arriba County's.
More Rio Arriba County figures
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. 8.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Rio Arriba County | All of New Mexico | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.0% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.3% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.2% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 18.6% |
| 60+ min | 11.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Rio Arriba County
What the Rio Arriba County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Long drives. With 30% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Rio Arriba County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 36% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Assistance before credit. With a 18% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Rio Arriba County loan.
Checklist for Rio Arriba County applicants
Steps that save money for Rio Arriba County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Rio Arriba County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New Mexico borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Lender oversight for Rio Arriba County
The New Mexico Financial Institutions Division is the place to verify any lender's New Mexico license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: New Mexico guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New Mexico guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Rio Arriba County household make?
About $57,155 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 11% below the New Mexico median.
Is Rio Arriba County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $740 against $1,067 statewide, and 34% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Rio Arriba County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Dulce?
Yes, along with the other 36 Census places in Rio Arriba County, such as La Mesilla, Dixon, La Villita.
Can Rio Arriba 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.