Here Are The 10 Poorest Counties In New Mexico

New Mexico is a beautiful, culturally rich state with much to offer. However, poverty is a serious problem in the Land of Enchantment, and the poorest cities in New Mexico suffer from high rates of it. According to a 2014 Business Insider article, New Mexico is the second poorest state in the nation, after Mississippi. The poverty rate here is 22%, and in the poorest counties in New Mexico, the rates can be even higher. Using Metasalary, which relies on census data, these places have the greatest level of financial hardship in our state.

10. Socorro County

Per capita salary: $17,801.

Median household income: $33,284.

County seat: Socorro.

The per capita salary here is 58.8% lower than the national average.

Read more about Socorro, New Mexico.

9. Hidalgo County

Per capita salary: $17,451.

Median household income: $36,733.

County seat: Lordsburg.

Learn more about Hidalgo County.

8. Torrance County

Per capita salary: $17,278.

Median household income: $37,117.

County seat: Estancia.

Socorro, Hidalgo and Torrance counties have similar economic statistics. This list is primarily arranged by per capita income, which is what determined their ranking here.

Check out more about Torrance County, New Mexico.

7. Roosevelt County

Per capita salary: $16,933.

Median household income: $37,762.

County seat: Portales.

The median household income here is higher than that in the three counties above it, but the per capita salary drops an additional 10 percent below the national average.

Find out more about Roosevelt County, New Mexico.

6. Sierra County

Per capita salary: $16,667.

Median household income: $25,583.

County seat: Truth or Consequences.

Learn more about Sierra County, New Mexico.

5. Luna County

Per capita salary: $15,687.

Median household income: $27,997.

County seat: Deming.

Per capita income is 80% below the national average here.

Check out more about Deming, New Mexico.

4. Cibola County

Per capita salary: $14,712.

Median household income: $37,361.

County seat: Grants.

Find out more about Cibola County, New Mexico.

3. Harding County

Per capita salary: $14,684.

Median household income: $33,750.

County seat: Mosquero.

Read more about Harding County, New Mexico.

2. Guadalupe County

Per capita salary: $13,710.

Median household income: $28,488.

County seat: Santa Rosa.

Learn more about Guadalupe County, New Mexico.

1. McKinley County

Per capita salary: $12,932.

Median household income: $31,335.

County seat: Gallup. These statistics make it poorest county in New Mexico.

See more about Gallup, New Mexico.

Does this data confirm your own experiences with the poorest counties in New Mexico? Or were you surprised by some of the counties on this list? These places also contain some of the poorest cities in New Mexico, although that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to love about these areas. Share your thoughts in the comments.