Federal Reserve Economic Data shows Cibola County’s homeownership rate rising in recent estimates, while a separate FRED graph shows the share of burdened households has also increased since 2020. Together, the figures show a county where homeownership remains a major strength, but housing affordability continues to be an important economic issue. Source: U.S. Census Bureau via FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Courtesy Photo

The Economy of Cibola County

Secure Rural Schools Funding Returns to Western New Mexico

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A five-year comparison of net gross receipts tax distributions for Cibola County, Grants and Milan shows monthly fluctuations across local governments. The sharp Cibola County dip near March 2026 was tied to a one-time state tax adjustment involving amended returns and a medical deduction, which reduced the county’s March distribution by $241,817.93, according to correspondence from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. Courtesy Photo

Cibola County child poverty has fluctuated over more than two decades, but federal data show the rate has remained persistently high. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis graph, using U.S. Census Bureau data, shows the estimated percentage of people ages 0–17 living in poverty in Cibola County from 2000 through 2023, with the rate rising above 40% in the early 2010s and remaining above 30% in most recent years shown. Shaded areas indicate U.S. recessions. Courtesy Photo

The most recent publicly available 2024-2025 student proficiency results from NM Vistas and the New Mexico Public Education Department show Grants Cibola County Schools at 17% proficiency in math, 38% in reading and 30% in science. The results offer a regional snapshot as GCCS students complete the 2025-2026 annual state assessment cycle, with this year’s results are not expected to be publicly available until later in the year. Data provided by the New Mexico Public Education Department. Courtesy Photo