Española, NM: Local News, Events & Neighbors

Española is a city primarily in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States. A portion of the central and eastern section of the city is in Santa Fe County. Founded as a railroad village, it was named Española, with a post office established in 1881, and officially incorporated in 1925. It has been called the first capital city in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was at 10,526. Española is within the Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Los Alamos combined statistical area. The city is home to Northern New Mexico College.

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How Española ranks

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#19Cheapest rent in NM #21Lowest property tax in NM #25Fastest growing in NM All NM rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code87532, 87533

Area code505

Living in Española

Housing in Española

$348K▲ 5.6% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Española home is worth about $348,000, up 5.6% in a year, 9% above the New Mexico typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Española

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Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Española's police department reported only 2025, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Española 3.9

New Mexico 6.5

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Española 5.4

New Mexico 23.5

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Schools in Española

All Española schools →

D

School Grade D

The public schools Española’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 94% of New Mexico’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictESPANOLASchools7

EUTIMIO SALAZAR ELEMENTARYElementary · Grades PK–6 · 339 students JAMES RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARYElementary · Grades 1–6 · 233 students LOS NINOS ELEMENTARYElementary · Grades PK–K · 71 students CARLOS F. VIGIL MIDDLEMiddle · Grades 7–8 · 379 students ESPANOLA VALLEY HIGHHigh · Grades 9–12 MCCURDY CHARTER SCHOOLOther · Grades K–12 · 557 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within NM. Ratings are from neighbors.