Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 23 min5:53 am – 8:15 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 56 min7:02 am – 4:58 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,194 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 59.11,171 householdsMedian household income $54,080Median home value $123,600Median rent $946 a month85% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $671 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting10.0% unemployment rate46% of adults are in the labour force, 802 employedMain industries: education and health care 32%, hospitality, food and recreation 26%, finance, insurance and real estate 19%Average commute 30 minutes82% drive alone, 4% car-pool, 14% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages27% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher97% finished high school, 13% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 88%, Spanish 12%2% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month June: highs 87°F, lows 51°FColdest month December: highs 50°F, lows 24°F17 in of rain a year, on about 42 dayswettest month July27 in of snow a year, on about 11 days16 days above 90°F, 141 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Capitan station, 2 mi away
Nearby landmarksWest Spur Tankreservoir · under a mileTrick Tankreservoir · 3.0 miGalt Peakpeak · 3.7 miNogal Lakelake · 5.0 miSwan Hillpeak · 4.2 miSwan Springspring · 4.6 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsEagle Creek Parkpark · 8.2 miLincoln National Forestnational forest · 16.9 mi · 1,095,645 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes5 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.5 on 14 Nov 200438 mi away, near Tularosa, New MexicoMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 25 Oct 202239 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowLincoln County, NM, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsWildfire Relatively HighWinter weather Relatively HighLightning Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality68% of days had good air in 2025110 of 161 days measured50 moderate, 1 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 44, worst day 108main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, Lincoln County monitors, NM
Internet at home85% of households have a broadband subscription70% have cable, fibre or DSL7% rely on a mobile data plan alone11% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterCapitan Water Systemserves 1,821 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation6,835 ft2,083 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalLincoln County Medical Center12.4 miPost officeCapitan Post Office3.7 miTown hallCapitan Village Hall3.7 miPoliceCapitan Police Department3.8 miFire stationCapitan Volunteer Fire Department Station 22.2 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeEastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso11.4 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportRoswell Air Center Airport ROW64 miMajor airportAlbuquerque International Sunport ABQ121 miUS highwayUS 3803.4 miCoachRuidoso Ruidoso Downs ShamrockGreyhound12 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 88316 ZIP area.
