McKinley County, NM

County

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2024 Population

70,431

US Senator

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

34.6

1.47% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

33.2%

6.84% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$47,668

7.13% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$78,700

9.15% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

23,627

1.08% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in McKinley County, NM reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.5% of the residents in McKinley County, NM are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in McKinley County, NM are University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus (363 degrees awarded in 2023) and Navajo Technical University (168 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in McKinley County, NM was $78,700, and the homeownership rate was 69.8%.

Most people in McKinley County, NM drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27 minutes. The average car ownership in McKinley County, NM was 2 cars per household.

McKinley County, NM borders Apache County, AZ, Cibola County, NM, Sandoval County, NM, and San Juan County, NM.

United States New Mexico Gallup, NM

Population & Diversity

McKinley County, NM is home to a population of 70.4k people, from which 98.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.43% of McKinley County, NM residents were born outside of the country (1.71k people).

In 2024, there were 9.48 times more American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents (53.1k people) in McKinley County, NM than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.6k White (Non-Hispanic) and 3.12k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.5%

2024 Citizenship

98.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.5% of McKinley County, NM residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in McKinley County, NM was 98.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in McKinley County, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in McKinley County, NM

American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
53.1k ± 380
White (Non-Hispanic)
5.6k ± 83
Other (Hispanic)
3.12k ± 556

12.2%

Hispanic Population

8.59k people

12.2% of the people in McKinley County, NM are hispanic (8.59k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in McKinley County, NM as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for New Mexico.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
124,411 ± 8,401 people
Philippines
6,498 ± 1,976 people
Germany
4,186 ± 1,587 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New Mexico was Mexico, the natal country of 124,411 New Mexico residents, followed by Philippines with 6,498 and Germany with 4,186.

Foreign-Born Population

2.43%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.71k people

2.2%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.57k people

As of 2024, 2.43% of McKinley County, NM residents (1.71k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in McKinley County, NM was 2.2%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in McKinley County, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
734 ± 224
Vietnam
662 ± 135
Gulf War (1990s)
371 ± 121

McKinley County, NM has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.11 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in McKinley County, NM.

Economy

The economy of McKinley County, NM employs 23.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in McKinley County, NM were Health Care & Social Assistance (5,086 people), Educational Services (3,384 people), and Retail Trade (3,225 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($82,603), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($71,644), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($64,063).

Employment

Occupations

23.6k

2024 Value

± 1,041

1.08%

1 Year growth

± 6.28%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in McKinley County, NM grew at a rate of 1.08%, from 23.4k employees to 23.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in McKinley County, NM, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,404 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,370 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (2,331 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of McKinley County, NM.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in New Mexico (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

23.6k

2024 Value

± 1,041

1.08%

1 Year growth

± 6.28%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in McKinley County, NM grew at a rate of 1.08%, from 23.4k employees to 23.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in McKinley County, NM, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,086 people), Educational Services (3,384 people), and Retail Trade (3,225 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of McKinley County, NM, though some of these residents may live in McKinley County, NM and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,829

Median earning men ± $2,405

$31,700

Median earning women ± $1,856

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($58,750), Public Administration ($50,646), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($46,625).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($64,063), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($57,794), and Public Administration ($47,621).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

Y-Axis

2.72%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 860k people employed in New Mexico. This represents a 2.72% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in New Mexico.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

69
Retail Trade
65
Retail Trade
54
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$225k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$101k
Retail Trade
$52.3k
Accommodation and Food Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Education

In 2023, universities in McKinley County, NM awarded 531 degrees. The student population of McKinley County, NM in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,302 male students and 1,919 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in McKinley County, NM are American Indian or Alaska Native (387 and 73%), Hispanic or Latino (66 and 12.5%), Asian (28 and 5.28%), and White (22 and 4.15%).

The largest universities in McKinley County, NM by number of degrees awarded are University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus (363 and 68.4%) and Navajo Technical University (168 and 31.6%).

The most popular majors in McKinley County, NM are General Studies (130 and 24.5%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (34 and 6.4%), and General Business Administration & Management (27 and 5.08%).

The median tuition cost in McKinley County, NM for a public four year colleges is $1,800 for in-state students and $1,800 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 3,221 students enrolled in McKinley County, NM, 40.4% men and 59.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in American Indian or Alaska Native with 2,631 records, of which 60.9% were women and 39.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
130 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
34 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
27 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in McKinley County, NM was General Studies with 130 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in McKinley County, NM according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus
363 degrees awarded
Navajo Technical University
168 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus with 363 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 193 men were awarded degrees from institutions in McKinley County, NM, which is 0.571 times less than the 338 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was American Indian or Alaska Native students. These 387 degrees mean that there were 5.86 times more degrees awarded to American Indian or Alaska Native students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 66 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 4-year or above ($1,800) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($885) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in McKinley County, NM was $78,700 in 2024, which is 0.237 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $72,100 to $78,700, a 9.15% increase. The homeownership rate in McKinley County, NM is 69.8%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in McKinley County, NM have an average commute time of 27 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in McKinley County, NM is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 27.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in McKinley County, NM. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.86%.

Housing

Property

$78,700

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,118

$14,900

Median Property Taxes

±$586

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McKinley County, NM the largest share of households pay taxes in the None range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in McKinley County, NM compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

69.8%

Homeownership

2024

67.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 69.8% of the housing units in McKinley County, NM were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in McKinley County, NM compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$47,668

Median Household Income

± $2,757

21.4k

Number of Households

± 904

In 2024, the median household income of the 21.4k households in McKinley County, NM grew to $47,668 from the previous year's value of $44,496.

The following chart displays the households in McKinley County, NM distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for McKinley County, NM is from New Mexico.

0.462

2023 Wage GINI in New Mexico

0.462

2022 Wage GINI in New Mexico

In 2023, the income inequality in New Mexico was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0654% growth from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for New Mexico was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in New Mexico in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in New Mexico across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (79.9%)
Worked At Home (8.88%)
Carpooled (7.75%)

In 2024, 79.9% of workers in McKinley County, NM drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.88%) and those who carpooled to work (7.75%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

27 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in McKinley County, NM have a longer commute time (27 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.7% of the workforce in McKinley County, NM have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in McKinley County, NM compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in McKinley County, NM distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in McKinley County, NM have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 27.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in McKinley County, NM. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.86%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

33.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in McKinley County, NM (23.2k out of 69.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in McKinley County, NM is Native American, followed by Hispanic and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 41.8% of the children was living in poverty in McKinley County, NM. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 710 in McKinley County, NM. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 83.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

83.2% of the population of McKinley County, NM has health coverage, with 15.6% on employee plans, 53.9% on Medicaid, 7.38% on Medicare, 5.38% on non-group plans, and 1.06% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in McKinley County, NM see 1,217 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,217 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1369 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 521 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,217 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in McKinley County, NM

Primary care physicians in McKinley County, NM see an average of 1,217 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,217 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in McKinley County, NM in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 29% under 18 years, 21.7% between 18 and 34 years, 35.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

16.8%

Uninsured

15.6%

Employer Coverage

53.9%

Medicaid

7.38%

Medicare

5.38%

Non-Group

1.06%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in McKinley County, NM declined by 13.8% from 19.4% to 16.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in McKinley County, NM changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 65.4 in McKinley County, NM.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in McKinley County, NM.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.4% in McKinley County, NM.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in McKinley County, NM.