Los Alamos County
NM · Pop. 19,374 · Mixed County
Los Alamos County, New Mexico covers 109 square miles with a population of 19,374 and a density of 177.7 people per square mile. The median home price is $453,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.57%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F and average winter lows of 20.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Los Alamos Medical Center is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Los Alamos Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 1.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 2.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 158-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $453,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Los Alamos County, NM is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 39/100
- Median home price
- $453k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 158 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.8"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Los Alamos Medical Center, 1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Los Alamos County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Los Alamos County?
- Los Alamos County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F, and average winter lows of 20.5°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $453,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Los Alamos Medical Center is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore New Mexico Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in New Mexico
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The closest counties to Los Alamos County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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