Population 34,543 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Taos County
Household size in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.71 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.45 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.75 | 2.71 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Taos County is a place of small households, averaging 2.36 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.48, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.3 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.1 | 38.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.0 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.1 | 40.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.7 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.1, Taos County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 44.3 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the southwest, the oldest in the east.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 14.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.8% | 14.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 13.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 14.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in Taos County (16.3%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 3.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Taos County has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five New Mexico counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Taos County
Renters in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.8% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.5% | 31.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.6% | 32.3% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Taos County is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 65.0% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 4.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.7% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.3% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 38.6% | 15.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.5% | 11.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Taos County: 25.5% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1981 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1982 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Taos County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. The picture is much the same across New Mexico. The median year built has moved up from 1979 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $722 | $777 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $807 | $866 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $799 | $943 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,148 | $1,188 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$427 | +$411 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Taos County costs $1,148 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $427 a month from 2006–10, a 59% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.8% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Taos County
Bachelor's degrees in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.2% | 25.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.9% | 25.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.2% | 26.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.7% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +5.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Taos County (35.7%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in New Mexico as a whole (30.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.5 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.6% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.9% | 83.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.9% | 85.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.2% | 87.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +5.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Taos County is a bit above the national rate: 92.2% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Taos County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five New Mexico counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Taos County
| Period | Taos County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 7.3% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 9.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.3% | 6.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Taos County: 8.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 3.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Taos County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos County | 2.36 | 49.1 | 16.3% | 22.4% | 25.5% | 1984 | $1,148 | 35.7% | 92.2% | 8.8% |
| Union County | 2.42 | 41.7 | 14.9% | 27.6% | 32.1% | 1961 | $695 | 17.6% | 88.9% | 5.5% |
| Sherman County | 2.66 | 41.0 | 7.5% | 23.7% | 25.8% | 1966 | $750 | 30.4% | 76.8% | 2.0% |
| Ochiltree County | 2.73 | 35.0 | 20.4% | 27.3% | 18.3% | 1976 | $1,042 | 18.2% | 77.6% | 0.3% |
| Lipscomb County | 2.81 | 35.2 | 14.5% | 17.6% | 26.2% | 1972 | $840 | 21.9% | 83.5% | 6.3% |
| Woodward County | 2.49 | 37.6 | 12.0% | 26.8% | 16.9% | 1978 | $893 | 22.2% | 88.2% | 6.8% |
| Garfield County | 2.57 | 38.2 | 11.5% | 34.0% | 13.4% | 1968 | $1,026 | 23.3% | 88.1% | 4.8% |
| Noble County | 2.61 | 43.2 | 7.4% | 22.3% | 18.8% | 1973 | $826 | 18.6% | 89.7% | 2.9% |
| Osage County | 2.57 | 43.6 | 10.2% | 21.7% | 11.5% | 1983 | $820 | 22.7% | 90.0% | 5.5% |
| Rogers County | 2.67 | 39.9 | 10.6% | 22.2% | 6.7% | 1992 | $1,146 | 26.7% | 92.7% | 4.7% |
| Nye County | 2.42 | 52.0 | 7.4% | 22.2% | 12.2% | 1998 | $1,334 | 12.7% | 87.0% | 6.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Adair County, MO · Tallapoosa County, AL · Trempealeau County, WI · Union County, GA · Union County, MS · Cheboygan County, MI · Union County, OR · Charlevoix County, MI · Union County, SC · Boone County, IA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Taos County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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