La Jara, New Mexico Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Located in the heart of the San Luis Valley, La Jara is a small town with a population of just over 1,000 people. The town is situated at an elevation of 7,400 feet and has an average temperature of 62°F in the summer and 30°F in the winter. La Jara has a rich history, having been settled by Spanish and Mexican settlers in the late 1800s. The town was incorporated in 1904 and has since grown to become an important agricultural center for the region. The area is known for its production of potatoes, onions, and other vegetables as well as livestock such as sheep and cattle.

Politics in La Jara are largely influenced by its rural setting with most residents identifying as conservative Republicans. Education is important to many locals with several schools located within the city limits including La Jara Elementary School, La Jara Middle School, and Conejos County High School. There are also several private schools available to residents including St. Joseph’s Catholic School which serves students from pre-K through 8th grade.

La Jara also boasts many interesting landmarks including Los Cerritos Park which features a playground, picnic areas, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a disc golf course. There is also the historical church of San Antonio de Padua which was built in 1891 and serves as an important monument to local history. Finally there is also the Conejos County Courthouse which was built in 1910 and stands as a testament to La Jara’s legacy as an important hub for local government activities throughout its history.

Population: 209
Males: 113 (54.1%), Females: 96 (45.9%)

Zip code: 87027

Demographics

Median resident age: 48.6 years
Median household income: $39,444
Median house value: $72,100

Population by Race

Races in La Jara:

  • Hispanic (79.4%)
  • Other race (21.1%)
  • White Non-Hispanic (19.6%)
  • American Indian (2.4%)
  • Two or more races (1.9%)

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

Ancestries: Irish (8.1%), Italian (4.3%), German (2.9%), United States (1.9%).

Land area: 14.2 square miles

Population by Education

La Jara, New Mexico is an unincorporated community located in Conejos County. It has a population of 1,890 people as of the 2010 census. The median household income is $26,944 and the median home value stands at $96,600. The cost of living in La Jara is relatively low compared to other cities in the United States. Groceries and health care are both significantly cheaper than the national average. Despite this, property tax rates are still quite high for New Mexico. This can be attributed to its location within Conejos County which has one of the highest property tax rates in the state at 0.9%. Rent prices are also quite affordable with a median rent of just $623 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. For those looking for more luxurious living accommodations, two-bedroom apartments in La Jara typically rent for around $800 per month on average. Additionally, there is no state sales tax in La Jara which provides additional savings when it comes to purchasing goods and services from local businesses.

For population 25 years and over in La Jara

  • High school or higher: 96.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.9%
  • Unemployed: 0.0%
  • Mean travel time to work: 25.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in La Jara CDP

  • Never married: 17.5%
  • Now married: 65.6%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 14.4%
  • Divorced: 2.5%

3.8% Foreign born (3.8% Europe).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near La Jara:

  • LOS ALAMOS MEDICAL CENTER (about 49 miles; LOS ALAMOS, NM)
  • ESPANOLA HOSPITAL (about 62 miles; ESPANOLA, NM)
  • ST JOSEPH WEST MESA HOSPITAL (about 65 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to La Jara:

  • ALBUQUERQUE INTL SUNPORT (about 78 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Abbreviation: ABQ)
  • DURANGO-LA PLATA COUNTY (about 91 miles; DURANGO, CO; Abbreviation: DRO)
  • FOUR CORNERS REGIONAL (about 98 miles; FARMINGTON, NM; Abbreviation: FMN)

Other public-use airports nearest to La Jara:

  • LINDRITH AIRPARK (about 15 miles; LINDRITH, NM; Abbreviation: E32)
  • JICARILLA APACHE NATION (about 50 miles; DULCE, NM; Abbreviation: 24N)
  • LOS ALAMOS (about 51 miles; LOS ALAMOS, NM; Abbreviation: LAM)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to La Jara:

  • UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-ALBUQUERQUE NM CAMPUS (about 70 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 3,261)
  • ALBUQUERQUE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE (about 74 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 9,188)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-MAIN CAMPUS (about 75 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 18,780)
  • SAN JUAN COLLEGE (about 95 miles; FARMINGTON, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,837)
  • FORT LEWIS COLLEGE (about 104 miles; DURANGO, CO; Full-time enrollment: 4,051)
  • ADAMS STATE COLLEGE (about 121 miles; ALAMOSA, CO; Full-time enrollment: 4,147)
  • NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY (about 135 miles; LAS VEGAS, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,278)