The Town Files

Sierra County, New Mexico

11,500 people. The median home is worth $152,600 (typical New Mexico town: $187,400) and the median household earns $41,600.

Towns in Sierra County

Towns in Sierra County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Truth or Consequences6,052$124,600$33,78844.6
Elephant Butte1,447$176,800$53,48262.7

People and housing

Sierra CountyTypical New Mexico town
Median home value$152,600$187,400
Median rent$729$916
Median household income$41,600$55,614
Median age57.639.9
Bachelor's degree or higher17.0%18.7%
Below the poverty line21.4%18.0%

Jobs and pay

3,522 jobs in 2024, average pay $44,291 a year.

Largest industries in Sierra CountyHealth care & social assistan…723 jobs · $44,234Retail494 jobs · $28,417Construction184 jobs · $65,522Manufacturing125 jobs · $42,295Administrative & support72 jobs · $38,421Other services70 jobs · $23,680
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Sierra County0%2%4%6%8%10%2000200420082012201620202023 6%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 400 storm events in Sierra County from 1996 to 2026, with 2 deaths.

Storm events in Sierra County by type since 1996Hail30Flood2Drought221High Wind49Dust Storm1Heavy Rain5Heavy Snow4Flash Flood61Excessive Heat2Thunderstorm Wind24
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Sierra County has been included in 13 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
April 5, 2020BiologicalDR-4529: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3460: Covid-19
October 29, 2014Severe StormDR-4199: Severe Storms And Flooding
October 29, 2013FloodDR-4152: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides
September 30, 2013Severe StormDR-4148: Severe Storms And Flooding
March 24, 2011Severe StormDR-1962: Severe Winter Storm And Extreme Cold Temperatures
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).