Quay County
NM · Pop. 8,616 · Rural County
Quay County, New Mexico covers 2,874 square miles with a population of 8,616 and a density of 3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, sorghum. A median home price of $82,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.62% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 188-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.7°F and average winter lows of 24.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Dr Dan C Trigg Memorial Hospital is 10.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.4% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 188-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.62% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $82,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Dr Dan C Trigg Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 3 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 16.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A poverty rate of 25.4% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Quay County, NM is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $82k
- Property tax
- 0.62%
- Growing season
- 188 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.9"
- Broadband
- 88.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Dr Dan C Trigg Memorial Hospital, 10.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Quay County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Quay County?
- Quay County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 188-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.7°F, and average winter lows of 24.2°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, sorghum.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $82,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.62%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Dr Dan C Trigg Memorial Hospital is 10.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in New Mexico
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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.
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