New Mexico has a long past, a lot of different landscapes, and a lot of different people. The Land of Enchantment is magical, but not everywhere is magical.
There are a lot of problems in some New Mexico areas and towns that make them bad places to live, like high crime rates, low wages, bad schools, and more. Two different groups of people have said that Española is the worst place to live in New Mexico.
Which city in New Mexico is the worst place to live?
It’s a small city in Rio Arriba County, and only about 10,000 people live there. It is in the Española Valley, in the middle of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains. In 1880, the city was formed as a railroad town. It later grew into a hub for farming, trade, and tourists. But Española has had a lot of problems and hurdles in the last few decades that have made life harder there.
Crime is one of the biggest problems in Española. MSN and iHeart say that 100.3 deaths per 100,000 people in Española are caused by drugs, which is higher than the state average of 40.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Murder, theft, burglary, and attack are some of the dangerous and property crimes that happen a lot in the city. Every 83 times someone lives in Española, they will be the victim of a serious crime. Every 15 times, they will be the victim of a property crime.
Poverty is another issue that comes up in Española. 19.9% of people in the city live in poverty, which is more than the 18.3% average for the state. Española’s median family income is $42,611, which is less than the average for the state, which is $54,020. The average house value in the state is $184,800, so the median home value in Española is $165,600. A lot of people in Española have trouble paying for things like food, housing, medical care, and school.
When it comes to schooling, Española also has a low level of success and attainment. The rate of high school graduates in the city is 77%, which is lower than the 84% rate across the state. Also, only 18% of people in the city graduate from college, which is less than the state average of 27%. It is not good that Española’s public schools get bad grades, test scores, and money. Niche says that the Española Public Schools district gets a D – the 79th best district in New Mexico out of 89.
Is there anything good about living in Española?
Even though Española has a lot of problems, it’s not useless. Some good things about the place make it worth going to or staying in for some people. For instance, Española has a lot of cultural history because it is one of the oldest towns in the US and has been home to many Native American and Hispanic groups.
Things to see and do in the city include the San Gabriel Mission, the Bond House Museum, the Chimayo Museum, and the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center. There are also a lot of fairs and events in the city, like the Northern New Mexico Music Awards, the Española Fiesta, and Flat Track Day. The natural beauty and outdoor activities are another good thing about living in Española. Mountains, rivers, woods, and fields that offer beautiful views and a wide range of wildlife surround the city.
Many national and state parks are close to the city. The Bandelier National Monument, the Pecos National Historical Park, the Santa Fe National Forest, and the Valles Caldera National Preserve are just a few examples. Along with many parks, walks, and golf courses, the city has a lot of places to hike, bike, fish, camp, ski, and play golf.
Conclusion
Even though Española has problems like poverty, high crime rates, and problems with schools, it still has some good things about it. It has a lot of cultural past going back to when it was one of the oldest towns in the United States. The city has beautiful things to see and do, like the San Gabriel Mission and the Bond House Museum. Even though Española has problems, its natural beauty, a wide range of wildlife, and cultural events make it worth visiting for people who like unique experiences.