Population 15,490 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Torrance County
Household size in Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.70 | 2.62 | 2.71 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.71 | 2.67 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.71 | 2.63 | 2.71 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.64 | 2.55 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | −0.08 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Torrance County average 2.64 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in the Albuquerque area as a whole, where it has 2.55 people. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.70, in line with the national trend.
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 Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.3 | 37.2 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.7 | 38.3 | 38.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.1 | 39.6 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.4 | 41.1 | 40.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +3.9 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
Torrance County skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 42.3 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 13.8% | 14.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 14.5% | 14.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 12.7% | 13.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.8% | 13.1% | 14.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −0.7 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Torrance County than nationally: 9.8%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Torrance County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of 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 Torrance County
Renters in Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.8% | 31.7% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.6% | 33.4% | 31.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 33.0% | 32.3% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 30.9% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.3% of households in Torrance County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 62.2% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Torrance County has a lower share of renters than at least four in five New Mexico counties.
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 Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 8.8% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.0% | 9.1% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 29.3% | 10.1% | 15.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.8% | 7.0% | 11.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.9 pts | −1.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Torrance County: 15.8% 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 has fallen 7.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than 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 Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1982 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1983 | 1981 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1984 | 1982 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1986 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Torrance County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $611 | $884 | $777 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $642 | $970 | $866 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $756 | $1,050 | $943 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $874 | $1,356 | $1,188 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$262 | +$472 | +$411 | +$606 |
Rent in Torrance County runs $874 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $262 a month from 2006–10, a 43% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.2% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Torrance County
Bachelor's degrees in Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 29.1% | 25.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.0% | 29.5% | 25.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 31.6% | 26.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.7% | 35.0% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +5.9 pts | +5.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Torrance County: 16.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.0 points, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the northeast.
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 Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.0% | 86.0% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.0% | 87.3% | 83.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.0% | 88.4% | 85.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.9% | 90.2% | 87.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +4.2 pts | +5.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Torrance County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.9 points, mirroring the country.
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 Torrance County
| Period | Torrance County | Albuquerque area | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 9.3% | 9.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 6.0% | 6.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 5.4% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Torrance County: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.5 points since 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).
Torrance 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrance County | 2.64 | 45.4 | 9.8% | 18.3% | 15.8% | 1986 | $874 | 16.7% | 86.9% | 8.2% |
| Valencia County | 2.84 | 41.1 | 13.4% | 16.8% | 11.0% | 1990 | $1,094 | 21.1% | 86.1% | 6.3% |
| Guadalupe County | 2.65 | 37.5 | 9.4% | 25.4% | 24.9% | 1978 | $622 | 14.8% | 81.7% | 2.3% |
| Deaf Smith County | 3.11 | 31.2 | 21.4% | 33.2% | 13.9% | 1972 | $912 | 11.4% | 69.5% | 3.4% |
| Navajo County | 2.71 | 40.8 | 16.5% | 26.8% | 22.5% | 1987 | $936 | 18.6% | 86.3% | 9.6% |
| Donley County | 2.41 | 41.3 | 5.7% | 25.2% | 34.4% | 1969 | $787 | 16.8% | 86.7% | 1.5% |
| Collingsworth County | 2.69 | 41.6 | 20.6% | 26.2% | 30.7% | 1958 | $698 | 24.5% | 75.0% | 1.1% |
| Greer County | 2.30 | 39.8 | 7.0% | 22.0% | 24.0% | 1965 | $656 | 16.2% | 80.8% | 8.3% |
| Kiowa County | 2.39 | 44.3 | 14.5% | 30.3% | 25.6% | 1961 | $674 | 16.9% | 89.8% | 5.1% |
| Garvin County | 2.58 | 38.6 | 11.7% | 32.3% | 16.1% | 1974 | $862 | 18.2% | 86.6% | 3.3% |
| Pontotoc County | 2.50 | 38.3 | 12.1% | 34.0% | 12.7% | 1979 | $911 | 30.3% | 90.8% | 3.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Pendleton County, KY · Perry County, IL · Perry County, AR · Perry County, AL · Perquimans County, NC · Pepin County, WI · Penuelas Municipio, PR · Pennington County, MN · Pendleton County, WV · Perry County, IN
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 Torrance 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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