Estancia, New Mexico Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 21, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Estancia, New Mexico is a small town in Torrance County with a population of 1,655 people. It is located in the Manzano Mountains and situated at an elevation of 5,900 feet. The climate is semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual rainfall is just over 12 inches per year.

Estancia has a rich history that dates back to the 1500s when Spanish conquistadors first arrived in the area. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Puebloans and Apache before the arrival of Europeans. Estancia was officially established in 1872 as a trading post for ranchers and farmers in the region.

Politically, Estancia is part of Torrance County and governed by a mayor-council system. It has no representation at the state or federal level. The local economy consists of agriculture, ranching, small businesses, and tourism.

The town has three public schools: Estancia Elementary School (K-5), Estancia Middle School (6-8), and Estancia High School (9-12). There are also several private schools in the area providing religious education and other specialized programs like Montessori education or Waldorf education.

The most prominent landmark in Estancia is its historic Plaza Hotel which was built in 1910 as part of a large hotel complex that included two restaurants, a saloon, and several stores. Today it serves as an event center for weddings and other special occasions but still retains its original charm from over 100 years ago. Other notable landmarks include St Peter’s Catholic Church which was built in 1924 and still stands today; the old railroad depot which now serves as a museum; various old adobe buildings throughout town; and nearby Manzano Mountains State Park which offers camping, hiking trails, fishing spots, picnic areas, and more outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy year round.

Population: 1,584. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,552 (-2.0% change)
Males: 1,031 (65.1%), Females: 553 (34.9%)

Torrance County

Zip code: 87016

Demographics

Median resident age: 33.9 years
Median household income: $24,276
Median house value: $65,000

Population by Race

Races in Estancia:

Hispanic (50.6%)
White Non-Hispanic (36.0%)
Other race (14.7%)
Black (10.2%)
American Indian (3.0%)
Two or more races (2.8%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (9.5%), United States (9.3%), Irish (6.4%), English (4.7%), Subsaharan African (2.0%), Scottish (1.5%).

Elevation: 6107 feet

Land area: 5.7 square miles

Population by Education

Estancia, New Mexico is a small rural community located in Torrance County. The population of Estancia is approximately 1,400 people, with the majority of the population being Hispanic. The median household income in Estancia is $30,000 per year, which is significantly lower than the national average. Despite its small size and limited resources, Estancia has a thriving local economy which relies heavily on agriculture and ranching. The cost of living in Estancia is also much lower than other parts of the country. Housing costs are very affordable and the average rent for a one bedroom apartment is around $500 per month. Utilities are also relatively inexpensive compared to other areas in New Mexico. Groceries and other necessities are also reasonably priced in Estancia due to its proximity to larger cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Overall, living costs in Estancia are quite reasonable for those looking for an affordable place to live in a rural setting.

For population 25 years and over in Estancia

High school or higher: 65.8%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.2%
Unemployed: 9.4%
Mean travel time to work: 31.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Estancia town

Never married: 32.9%
Now married: 44.2%
Separated: 4.5%
Widowed: 4.8%
Divorced: 13.5%

13.1% Foreign born (12.9% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +783 (+97.8%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Estancia:

LOVELACE HEALTH SYSTEMS INC (about 42 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM)
KASEMAN PRESBY HOSP (about 44 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM)
PHS INDIAN HOSPITAL (about 45 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Estancia:

ALBUQUERQUE INTL SUNPORT (about 42 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Abbreviation: ABQ)
SIERRA BLANCA REGIONAL (about 98 miles; RUIDOSO, NM; Abbreviation: SRR)
HOLLOMAN AFB (about 132 miles; ALAMOGORDO, NM; Abbreviation: HMN)

Other public-use airports nearest to Estancia:

ESTANCIA MUNI (about 3 miles; ESTANCIA, NM; Abbreviation: E92)
MORIARTY (about 16 miles; MORIARTY, NM; Abbreviation: 0E0)
MOUNTAINAIR MUNI (about 19 miles; MOUNTAINAIR, NM; Abbreviation: Q04)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Estancia:

ALBUQUERQUE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE (about 45 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 9,188)
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-ALBUQUERQUE NM CAMPUS (about 45 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 3,261)
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-MAIN CAMPUS (about 47 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 18,780)
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY (about 89 miles; LAS VEGAS, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,278)
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 178 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 12,562)
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-DONA ANA (about 178 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,380)
ADAMS STATE COLLEGE (about 187 miles; ALAMOSA, CO; Full-time enrollment: 4,147)

Schools

Public high school in Estancia:

ESTANCIA HIGH (Students: 255; Location: 9TH AND JOSEPH STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Estancia:

LIBERTY RANCH SCH (Students: 48; Location: HWY. 55 AO 43S; Grades: KG – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Estancia:

UPPER ELEMENTARY (Students: 261; Location: 9TH AND JOSEPH STREET; Grades: 03 – 06)
ESTANCIA MIDDLE (Students: 152; Location: 9TH AND HOPEWELL STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)
ESTANCIA ELEM (Students: 135; Location: 8TH AND IVERNESS STREET; Grades: PK – 02)
VAN STONE ELEM (Students: 80; Location: 15 SOUTH 8TH STREET; Grades: 02 – 02)

Libraries

Library in Estancia:

ESTANCIA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $49,802; Location: 10TH AND HIGHLAND; 15,690 books; 257 audio materials; 504 video materials; 25 serial subscriptions)