TAOS COUNTY, NM 

UNM BBER

📊 Taos County Economic & Demographic Snapshot (Based on Dashboard)

👥 1. Population Structure & Age Dynamics (2024)

The population pyramid shows a broad distribution across working-age cohorts, with noticeable concentrations in:

• Ages 25–44 (core workforce)

• Ages 55+ (significant aging population segment)

Key Insight:

Taos County exhibits a dual demographic profile:

• A stable working-age base

• A growing senior population

👉 Implications:

• Increased demand for healthcare, housing, and senior services

• Workforce replacement pressure as older cohorts retire

• Opportunity for “second career” or remote worker attraction strategies

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🏠 2. Household Growth Trends (ACS Data)

• Households increased from approximately 12K (2009) to ~16K (2023)

• This represents steady but moderate growth over time

Key Insight:

Household growth has outpaced population growth slightly, suggesting:

• Smaller household sizes

• Increased housing demand

• Potential affordability pressure

👉 Implications:

• Housing supply is a critical economic constraint

• Supports the need for workforce housing strategies

• Relevant to tourism workforce and business retention

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👤 3. Population (16+ Years) — Workforce Pool

• Population age 16+ grew from roughly 26K → 30K (2009–2023)

Key Insight:

The labor pool is slowly expanding, but not rapidly.

👉 Implications:

• Limited labor supply may constrain business expansion

• Workforce participation becomes more important than raw population growth

• Upskilling and local workforce development are key priorities

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🏘️ 4. Housing Inventory Trends

• Total housing units increased from about 18K → 21K (2009–2023)

Key Insight:

Housing supply is growing, but:

• Not necessarily aligned with workforce needs

• Likely includes seasonal/vacation housing

👉 Implications:

• Housing availability remains a structural issue

• Impacts labor recruitment, especially in tourism and service sectors

• Aligns with Destination Stewardship priorities

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👥 5. Total Population Growth

• Population increased from ~32K → ~35K (2009–2023)

Key Insight:

Population growth is slow and steady, indicating:

• A relatively stable community

• Limited in-migration compared to high-growth regions

👉 Implications:

• Economic growth must come from:

  • Productivity gains

  • Business expansion

  • Tourism spending

  • Entrepreneurship

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💼 6. Unemployment Rate (Labor Market Conditions)

• Unemployment fluctuated significantly during the pandemic period

• Recent rate: ~4.2% (2024)

Key Insight:

• Labor market has recovered to relatively healthy levels

• Indicates tightening labor conditions

👉 Implications:

• Businesses may face hiring challenges

• Workforce attraction/retention is critical

• Training pipelines and local talent development are strategic priorities

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🛢️ 7. State-Level Economic Context (Oil Production Reference)

• Oil production volume (statewide NM data) shows large-scale economic activity in other regions of the state

Key Insight:

• Taos County is not resource-extraction driven

• Economy is more aligned with:

  • Tourism

  • Small business

  • Creative economy

  • Services

👉 Implications:

• Taos economic strategy should focus on:

  • Visitor economy

  • Local entrepreneurship

  • Remote workers / knowledge economy

  • Cultural and natural assets

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📌 8. Integrated Economic Interpretation

Taos County’s economy is characterized by:

1. Stable but slow population growth
2. Aging demographic profile
3. Gradual household expansion
4. Constrained labor supply
5. Moderately low unemployment (~4%)
6. Housing constraints impacting workforce capacity

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🎯 9. Key Strategic Takeaways for TCCC

These insights can be translated into messaging for partners, funders, and stakeholders:

Workforce

• Focus on workforce attraction + retention

• Align with NM Workforce Solutions programs

• Emphasize training pipelines and youth engagement

Housing

• Housing is a primary economic development constraint

• Critical for both business expansion and tourism staffing

Entrepreneurship

• Limited population growth means:

  • Growth must come from business formation and scaling

  • Strong role for pitch contests, incubators, and chamber support

Tourism Economy

• Visitor economy likely plays an outsized role in GDP and jobs

• Lodgers’ tax and events (e.g., Taos Plaza Live) are key drivers

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📣 10. Example

TAOS COUNTY REPORT: 

Taos County demonstrates steady population growth, with a total population of approximately 35,000 residents and a growing base of households and housing units. The county’s demographic profile reflects both an aging population and a stable working-age cohort, indicating future workforce replacement needs.

Household and housing growth have increased gradually; however, housing availability remains a key structural constraint impacting workforce capacity and business expansion.

The local labor market has stabilized following pandemic fluctuations, with unemployment rates returning to approximately 4.2%, suggesting tightening labor conditions.

Overall, Taos County’s economy is characterized by a stable population base, limited labor supply growth, and increasing demand for workforce housing—factors that reinforce the importance of entrepreneurship, workforce development, and tourism-driven economic activity.

SOURCE: TAOS COUNTY REPORT UNM BBER