Newcomb church and monogram, 2009
Newcomb’s story
139 years in pictures
The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 4 maps from 1928 on.
- 1887Newcomb is founded
NewcombNM
A town of 415, founded in 1887.
Population
415
Census survey, 2020–24
Median home value
$19K
Census ACS
Household income
$35K
median
Median age
43.2
years
Land area
6 sq mi
Is Newcomb a good place to live?
Newcomb’s density of trails is 2.8 miles per square mile, where New Mexico’s towns sit at 1.0 and U.S. towns at 0.4. Newcomb has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
415 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Getting set up
Moving to Newcomb: who provides what
Newcomb is unincorporated, so San Juan County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerNavajo Tribal Utility Authority16.4¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterNewcomb Ntua water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
InternetProviders and speedsData pending · D4
Trash & county servicesSan Juan CountySan Juan County provides services here
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.govWho runs elections hereSan Juan County ClerkSan Juan County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2019
ZIP code8745587455 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.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Newcomb.
Work & commute
Newcomb stands out in New Mexico and nationally, with the average trip to work longer than most
In Newcomb, 25% of residents live below the poverty line, above both the New Mexico town median (21%) and the median of U.S. towns (9.6%). For half of commuters, work is under 52 miles away. The top destinations are Farmington (14%), Albuquerque (10%) and Cortez (5%).
0%work in town
| Newcomb | New Mexico towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 42 minutes | 23 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 25% | 21% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Newcomb0%
Farmington14%
Albuquerque10%
Cortez5%
Gallup5%
52 mi
median commute distance
0
jobs based in Newcomb
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Schools
The schools Newcomb’s kids attend
Its public schools are run by the Central school district. Of its 3 schools, two are listed below, each with the reason. The 3 public schools in Newcomb teach 519 students between them.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcomb ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 169 | C− |
| Newcomb HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 223 | D− |
NCES · EDFacts
92°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter21–46°
Spring36–68°
Summer58–90°
Fall39–69°
+1.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
92°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
Compared with most of New Mexico and the rest of the country, more of Newcomb’s adults smoke cigarettes
For adults in Newcomb, the share who have diabetes is 23%. Among 74 New Mexico towns, just one has a lower share of adults who binge drink than Newcomb. Also worth knowing: on the CDC’s 32 measures, Newcomb is ahead of New Mexico on 1 and behind on 24.
| Newcomb | New Mexico towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 39% | 26% | 19% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 14% | 14% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 23% | 14% | 12% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 16% | 17% |
32 measures vs. New Mexico
1 better7 too close to call24 worse
| What stands out | Newcomb | NM |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 10.4% | 13.7% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 40.4% | 14.2% |
Fort Defiance Indian Hospital
34 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Natural hazards
Newcomb has a moderate natural-hazard risk, chiefly from inland flooding
On expected storm and flood damage, Newcomb sits above 59% of U.S. communities. 74% of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by cold waves at 12%.
59risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold waves
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
0%conserved
0%
conserved · 0 of 6,166 acres
27 mi
of trails · 2.8 per sq mi
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Newcomb
17pages on Newcomb
The big questions
Out and about
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Newcomb; the nearest are
Dine CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Tsaile, AZ28.1 mi$1,410 in-state tuitionSan Juan CollegeCommunity college · Public · Farmington45.1 mi$1,928 in-state tuition
About 7 of every 100 Newcomb residents are enrolled in college, about the same as New Mexico.
A commuter town
100% of working residents leave Newcomb for work
Where Newcomb’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
0jobs based in Newcomb
0%of working residents work in town
52 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Newcomb
CDP in New Mexico, United States
Newcomb (Navajo: Bis Deezʼáhí) is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. As of the 2020 census, Newcomb had a population of 494. It is part of the Farmington Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is on the Trails of the Ancients Byway, one of the designated New Mexico Scenic Byways. Newcomb was founded in 1887 when Joseph Wilkin and Henry Noel set up a trading post. It was known as Crozier from 1903 to 1919.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 6.0 sq mi
- Elevation
- 5,554 ft
- ZIP code
- 87455
Questions about Newcomb
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Newcomb, NM a good place to live?
Newcomb has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
What is Newcomb, NM known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Clara Sherman and Arthur C. Begay.