1st Advantage MortgageRoosevelt County households have a median income of $52,685 and median rent of $898 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
- Getting oriented in Roosevelt County
- Household income in Roosevelt County
- Jobs and commutes in Roosevelt County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Roosevelt County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Roosevelt County
- Counties near Roosevelt County
- People and households in Roosevelt County
- Borrowing situations common in Roosevelt County
- What a median Roosevelt County budget can carry
- Lender oversight for Roosevelt County
- Checklist for Roosevelt County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Roosevelt County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Roosevelt County's population at 18,928; only 20 of New Mexico's 33 county-level areas are larger. It covers 2,446 square miles of land, or about 8 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Roosevelt County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Portales, with about 11,968 residents, or 63% of the county.
Household income in Roosevelt County
Roosevelt County households have a median income of $52,685 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 32 in New Mexico.
| Household income | Roosevelt County | vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.1% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.5% | +5.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.5% | -4.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.8% | -6.0 pts |
Some 34% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 20% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 21.8%, 4 points higher than the state's 17.8%. None of these numbers decides a Roosevelt County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Roosevelt County
The biggest employer of Roosevelt County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by retail trade (10%). The sharpest difference from the state is in other services, at 8% locally and 5% for New Mexico. The survey's unemployment rate for Roosevelt County averages 5.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.0%). About 81% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 7.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Roosevelt County workers | vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.9% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -0.7 pts |
| Public administration | 9.0% | +1.6 pts |
| Other services | 8.4% | +3.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.0% | +2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.9% | +2.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Roosevelt County
A typical Roosevelt County rental runs $898 a month including utilities, which is 16% below New Mexico. By the Census definition, 46% of Roosevelt County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $135,800, a typical Roosevelt County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. 61% of Roosevelt County households own their home and 39% rent. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Roosevelt County | New Mexico statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $898/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $135,800 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.2% | 15.5% | n/a |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Roosevelt County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Roosevelt County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 12,433 people, so roughly 34% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portales | city | 11,968 | $50,555 | $903 | 13 mi |
| Elida | town | 165 | $67,917 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Floyd | village | 134 | $51,250 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Causey | village | 122 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
| Dora | village | 44 | $108,750 | n/a | 11 mi |
Counties near Roosevelt County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (38 to 70 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Roosevelt County; Yoakum County is highest at $84,925 and Cochran County lowest at $45,313. The list crosses into Texas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt County | - | $52,685 | $898/mo | 61% |
| Bailey County, TX | 38 mi | $61,420 | $931/mo | 80% |
| Curry County, NM | 39 mi | $57,309 | $1,024/mo | 63% |
| Cochran County, TX | 47 mi | $45,313 | $697/mo | 65% |
| Parmer County, TX | 53 mi | $69,735 | $1,081/mo | 72% |
| Lamb County, TX | 65 mi | $60,760 | $968/mo | 74% |
| Yoakum County, TX | 70 mi | $84,925 | $973/mo | 67% |
People and households in Roosevelt County
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 11.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Roosevelt County | New Mexico statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.3 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.2% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.6% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.4% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.6% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.8% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Roosevelt County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 1.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Roosevelt County
A few patterns in the Roosevelt County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Roosevelt County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 18% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 22% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Renters under pressure. When 46% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
What a median Roosevelt County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Roosevelt County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,390 gross per month ($52,685 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $898 uses 20%
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $858 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $898, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lender oversight for Roosevelt County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Roosevelt County resident can confirm its license with the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on New Mexico: New Mexico personal loans.
Checklist for Roosevelt County applicants
Quick steps for Roosevelt County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A New Mexico license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New Mexico guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Roosevelt County household make?
About $52,685 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 18% below the New Mexico median.
How does Roosevelt County rent compare with New Mexico?
$898 locally versus $1,067 for the state, 16% below.
I live in a small Roosevelt County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Portales, Elida, Floyd, Causey, Dora.
Is the fit check different in Roosevelt County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Roosevelt County?
Start with the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.