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Luna County

NM · Pop. 25,420 · Rural County

54/100Homestead Score

Luna County is a rural county in New Mexico, spanning 2,965 square miles with 25,420 residents at a density of 8.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, hay, onions. The median home price is $113,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.58%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.9°F and average winter lows of 28.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mimbres Memorial Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.58%
Growing Season: 202 days
Broadband: 88.2%
Density: 8.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 202-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $113,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Mimbres Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 8.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Annual rainfall of just 10.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • A poverty rate of 26.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Luna County, NM is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
54/100
Median home price
$113k
Property tax
0.58%
Growing season
202 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
10.2"
Broadband
88.2%
Nearest hospital
Mimbres Memorial Hospital, 5.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.58%
Median Household Income$37,917
Poverty Rate26.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$113K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season202 days
Annual Rainfall10.2 inches
Avg Summer High93.9°F
Avg Winter Low28.3°F
Top CropsCotton, Hay, Onions

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado1/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMimbres Memorial Hospital (5.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage88.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate13%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Luna County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Luna County?
Luna County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.9°F, and average winter lows of 28.3°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, onions.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $113,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 88.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Mimbres Memorial Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.