RANK #736 / 996 · POP 154,481 · NM
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Santa Fe County, New Mexico, is often called "The City Different" due to its unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures, evident in its adobe architecture and vibrant arts scene. Located in the high desert foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the county seat, Santa Fe, is the oldest and highest state capital in the U.S. It is approximately an hour's drive north of Albuquerque, with commuter rail and bus services connecting the two cities. The area boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually, offering abundant outdoor recreation, including hiking and mountain biking on hundreds of miles of trails, skiing at Ski Santa Fe, and rafting on the Rio Grande.
Life in Santa Fe County offers a blend of cultural richness and access to nature, attracting a mix of families, professionals, and retirees. Public schools in the Santa Fe Public Schools district serve the city and surrounding communities, with options including traditional, magnet, and charter schools. The local economy is driven by sectors such as tourism, government employment, healthcare, and scientific research, with Los Alamos National Laboratory nearby. The county is also seeing growth in creative industries, including film and television production, and has initiatives supporting clean energy and sustainable job growth.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Globemallow 1 and 2 Solar and Battery Storage Project
Linea Energy, LLC
|
$349M | Proposed |
|
Rancho Viejo Solar Project
AES Corporation
|
$144M | Approved |
|
Amazon Delivery Station
Amazon
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Avenue Del Sur and College Drive Road Extensions
Santa Fe County Public Works
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Tierra Contenta Master-Planned Community
Twilight Homes
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Los Brios Master-Planned Community
Twilight Homes
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Santa Fe County has a Boom Town Index score of 26/100, ranking #736 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $70,522, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Santa Fe County is $374,200 with median rent at $1,252/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1885, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed -0.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.2% of Santa Fe County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.