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Thoreau, NM

View of Thoreau, NM
Image credit: Peter K. / CC BY-SA 3.0
Population
1,973
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Elevation
7,148 ft
Median Home Value
$95,200
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Rent
$483/mo
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Income
$45,469
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
General Quality
Overall rating out of 100

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OverallBest places in New MexicoPopulation rankingHighest population places in New MexicoNearest larger communitySouth Valley, New Mexico91 miles away · 37,120 residents.

About Thoreau

Located along Interstate 40 in northwestern New Mexico, Thoreau sits just east of the Continental Divide beneath dramatic red sandstone cliffs. Perched at over 7,000 feet in elevation within the Navajo Nation, the town offers wide-open high-desert views and crisp mountain air. Originally founded as a late-19th-century railroad depot, Thoreau has settled into a quiet community surrounded by striking southwestern scenery.

New Mexico State Road 371, Thoreau NM

The town serves as a key local hub for eastern McKinley County, anchored by its public schools and the Thoreau Chapter House. Neighbors from across the surrounding rural areas regularly come together here for community events, services, and everyday essentials. When you need major shopping centers, healthcare, or entertainment, Gallup is an easy 35-minute drive to the west, making day-to-day life here both peaceful and practical.

Top Rating Signals

Highest current ratings for this town.

Lower FEMA County Drought Risk IndexA+100.0ratingLower FEMA County Hurricane Risk IndexA+100.0ratingLower Projected Late-Century County-Area Exposure to Sea-Level RiseA+100.0rating

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