Doña Ana County, New Mexico

County Distress Index: Serious · 67.1 | 225,210 people · 6th most distressed in New Mexico
American Default Research

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Doña Ana County, NM shows significant household financial distress with a score of 67.1 — 544th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within New Mexico, it ranks 6th of 33 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Doña Ana County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 82.0 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 82.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 88
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 84
Consumer Credit Distress 68.1
Debt in Collections 67
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 65
Credit Card Delinquency 69
Uninsured Rate 71
Subprime Credit Population 75
Structural Poverty 59.1
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 85
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 78
Disability Rate 34
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Economic Vitality 56.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 60
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 74
Legal Distress 43.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Doña Ana County
Doña Ana County, NM 67.1 Serious —
El Paso County, TX 78.0 Serious +11.0
Luna County, NM 72.1 Serious +5.0
Otero County, NM 56.9 Elevated -10.2
Sierra County, NM 51.3 Elevated -15.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Doña Ana County
DeSoto County, MS 67.1 Serious +0.0
Glynn County, GA 67.2 Serious +0.1
Bossier Parish, LA 67.0 Serious -0.1
Lee County, MS 66.9 Serious -0.2
Laurel County, KY 67.3 Serious +0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Doña Ana County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Doña Ana County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Doña Ana County.

TIERRA DEL SOL HOUSING
Las Cruces
575-541-0477 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase

See all counselors in New Mexico →

Find an Attorney

State Bar of New Mexico Lawyer Referral Program offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of New Mexico Lawyer Referral Program 505-797-6000

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Doña Ana County residents at no cost.

New Mexico Legal Aid 1-866-416-1922
Law Access New Mexico 1-800-340-9771
DNA-Peoples Legal Services, Inc. (928) 871-4151

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in New Mexico →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Doña Ana County, New Mexico?

    Doña Ana County has a County Distress Index score of 67.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 544th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in New Mexico out of 33 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Doña Ana County?

    The primary driver of distress in Doña Ana County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 82.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Doña Ana County compare to neighboring counties?

    Doña Ana County (67.1) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: El Paso County, TX (78.0); Luna County, NM (72.1); Otero County, NM (56.9).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Serious zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Doña Ana County's score of 67.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Doña Ana County's CDI score?

    Doña Ana County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Doña Ana County?

    Doña Ana County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 225,210 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.