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New Mexico›Eddy County

MalagaNM

This town of 309 people was settled in 1892.

Population
309
Census survey, 2020–24
Median age
39.3
years
Land area
3 sq mi
Settled
1892
134 years ago

Is Malaga a good place to live?

Malaga’s peak summer temperature is 98°F, above both the New Mexico town median (93°F) and the median of U.S. towns (85°F). Among 74 New Mexico towns, just 5 have a lower share of households owning their home than Malaga. Malaga has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Small town

309 people, and everyone knows the way

In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.

Nearby towns

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Malaga.

Natural hazards

Top of a very high hazard risk in Malaga: inland flooding

83risk score of 100

Compared with 83% of U.S. communities, expected storm and flood damage in Malaga is higher. FEMA puts 69% of the town’s expected hazard losses down to inland flooding, and 12% to drought.

FEMA risk score
83Very high riskLowerHigher
Inland floodingDrought

FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

The climate in Malaga brings mild winters and hot summers

3″snow a winter

Only 5 of the 74 New Mexico towns we compare have a higher January low than Malaga.

Typical low → high °F

Winter31–62°
Spring48–82°
Summer68–98°
Fall49–80°
Nov 12
typical first frost
Mar 17
typical last frost
+2.1°
vs. the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Health

Malaga stands out in New Mexico and nationally, with more of its adults who sleep under 7 hours

For adults in Malaga, the share who binge drink is 17%. Among 74 New Mexico towns, just 3 have a lower share of adults who had a checkup this year than Malaga. Of 32 CDC measures, Malaga beats the New Mexico average on 8 and trails it on 12.

MalagaTypical New Mexico townTypical U.S. town
Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES)61%69%79%
No health insurance, 18–64 (CDC PLACES)25%16%8.1%
Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES)43%34%36%
Obesity (CDC PLACES)44%35%35%
32 measures vs. New Mexico
8 better12 too close to call12 worse
What stands outMalagaNM
Fewer adults who have had cancer3.9%7.4%
Fewer adults with arthritis17.4%25.6%
More uninsured adults24.9%15.6%
Carlsbad Medical Center
19.1 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Malaga

13pages on Malaga
Getting set up

Moving to Malaga: who provides what

Malaga is unincorporated, so Eddy County and regional agencies provide most services.

PowerXcel Energy12.9¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterMalaga Mdwc Swa water system2 health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
InternetProviders and speedsData pending · D4
Trash & county servicesEddy CountyEddy County provides services here
SchoolsCarlsbad Municipal SchoolsWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn New Mexico you can register online until 28 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 28 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereEddy County ClerkEddy County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Dec 2025
ZIP code8826388263 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 27, 2026.

After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Malaga; the nearest are

About Malaga

Census-designated place in New Mexico, United States

Malaga is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Eddy County, New Mexico, United States. As of the 2020 census, Malaga had a population of 112. Malaga has a post office with ZIP code 88263. U.S. Route 285 passes through the community. Formerly known as Kirkwell, Malaga was founded in the 1890s by Swiss immigrants and was named after the Spanish city of Málaga. Italian laborers were recruited to farm the area, and many settled in Malaga. It is within the Carlsbad Municipal School District, which operates Carlsbad High School. Malaga is on the Pecos Highway approximately 18 miles southeast of Carlsbad. The Pecos River flows past two miles east of the community.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Area
3.0 sq mi
Elevation
3,005 ft
ZIP code
88263

Questions about Malaga

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Malaga, NM a good place to live?

Malaga has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Malaga is in here

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