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Española, NM
City in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
Population
10,473
Land area
8.2sq mi
People per sq mi
1,274
ZIP codes
0
Española and its ZIP codes
Española at a glance
- Española is about 73 times as dense as New Mexico as a whole.
- It is the 22nd most populous of 495 cities and towns in New Mexico.
- Households here earn a median of $47,667 a year, 26% less than the New Mexico figure of $64,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $210,800 (15% below New Mexico) and median rent is $829 a month.
Local data for Española, NM
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Española, NM, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$47,667
Poverty rate
20.4%
Median home value
$210,800
Median rent
$829/mo
Homeownership
65.2%
Bachelor's or higher
18.3%
Median age
35.7
Average commute
30.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (4,204), German Americans (205), Ecuadorian Americans (127).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Rio Arriba County. PPP loans are for Española.
Unemployment rate
4.8%
Aug 2026, +0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$50,458
9,536 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$48,455
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$321M
FY 2026, $7,948 per person
How people get to work
Española, NM, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone86.0%
- Carpooled6.3%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked0.8%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.8%
- Worked from home5.8%
Average one-way commute: 30.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Española, NM, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
697
Countywide, mostly drought
Flood insurance policies
147
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
91° / 16°F
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Española, NM, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.0%
U.S. 33.3% +3.7 pts
Diabetes
16.0%
U.S. 12.1% +3.9 pts
Smoking
12.7%
U.S. 12.8% about the same
Uninsured (18-64)
22.9%
U.S. 11.1% +11.8 pts
Cities near Española
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Santa CruzCensus-designated place | 2.1 mi | 0.6 |
| SombrilloCensus-designated place | 2.5 mi | 0.9 |
| Santa Clara PuebloCensus-designated place | 2.7 mi | 2 |
| Ohkay OwingehCensus-designated place | 2.9 mi | 3.8 |
| CuartelezCensus-designated place | 2.9 mi | 1.4 |
| San JoseCensus-designated place | 3 mi | 1.8 |
| La MesillaCensus-designated place | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
| La PueblaCensus-designated place | 4.1 mi | 2.8 |
| El Valle de Arroyo SecoCensus-designated place | 4.2 mi | 5.1 |
| PueblitoCensus-designated place | 4.6 mi | 0.6 |
| ChamitaCensus-designated place | 4.6 mi | 3.9 |
| HernandezCensus-designated place | 4.9 mi | 1.7 |
| AlcaldeCensus-designated place | 5.5 mi | 0.5 |
| El DuendeCensus-designated place | 5.8 mi | 1.5 |
| La VillitaCensus-designated place | 6.7 mi | 1.4 |
| ChimayoCensus-designated place | 7.6 mi | 7.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Española, NM in?
- Española is in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
- What is the population of Española, NM?
- About 10,473 people live in Española, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Española?
- Nearby places include Santa Cruz (2.1 mi), Sombrillo (2.5 mi), Santa Clara Pueblo (2.7 mi), Ohkay Owingeh (2.9 mi), Cuartelez (2.9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023