Colfax County

County snapshot

Colfax County's population has been roughly flat since 2020 (-0.4%), with net migration of 75 in 2024. Stable counties tend to behave predictably: most certificates redeem, few end in a deed.

By population, Colfax County is the 24th largest of New Mexico's 33 counties. It has grown more slowly than the state average (-0.4% across New Mexico) — often where the less contested certificates are, and also where the risk sits. Of the 2024 change, 75 came from people moving in and 81 from deaths outnumbering births.

Counties of similar size in New Mexico with a sale on our calendar: Quay County, Guadalupe County, Mora County. Useful if this county's sale has already closed and you want the next comparable one.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Census population estimates. Population figures are estimates, not a count.

Property & tax profile

The median homeowner in Colfax County pays $867 a year in property tax — below the New Mexico median of $1,731 (U.S.: $3,119). That is roughly what a typical home here owes for each year it goes unpaid — the debt that the opening bid at a deed sale is usually built from, plus interest and costs. Homes with a mortgage pay a median of $1,129; homes owned outright, $680.

On a home with a mortgage, the lender has its own reason to pay a delinquent tax bill: the tax lien outranks the mortgage, and a tax deed can wipe out the loan. On a home owned outright, nobody but the owner — or the heirs — has that reason. In Colfax County, 63.0% of owner-occupied homes are owned outright (New Mexico: 48.5%, U.S.: 39.4%). That is more than the state as a whole, so a larger share of the delinquent bills here have no lender behind them.

44.1% of all housing units in Colfax County are vacant. 33.2% of all units are seasonal or vacation homes, empty by design rather than abandoned. The figure that matters for a buyer at the tax sale is the Census “other vacant” category — not for rent, not for sale, not a holiday home, but a catch-all that includes foreclosures, homes held up by legal proceedings or family reasons, homes needing repairs, and abandoned ones. Here it is 7.8% of all units (New Mexico: 5.6%, U.S.: 3.6%). That is above the state rate, so expect more empty properties on the delinquent list: the ones least likely to redeem, and the most likely to need work if the deed ends up yours. Drive by before you bid.

Half of the homes in Colfax County were built in or before 1977 (New Mexico: in or before 1985). The typical tax bill is 1.6% of the median household income of $53,554 (New Mexico: 2.7%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25077, B25103, B25081, B25002, B25004, B25035, B19013) — see the figures on data.census.gov. Survey estimates with margins of error; anything too uncertain to state is left out.

Quick answers

• Mar 24, 2026

  Otero CountyTax deedAlready held

  State-run (in-person, 8am–4pm, Otero County Fairgrounds)

  Official source: co.otero.nm.us ↗checked Sep 3, 2026
• May 22, 2026

  Sandoval CountyTax deedAlready held

  State-run (in-person, 10am)

  Official source: sandovalcountynm.gov ↗checked Sep 3, 2026
• Jul 7, 2026

  Cibola CountyTax deedAlready held

  State-run (in-person, Grants)

  The notice listed 71 parcels, with minimum bids from $400 to $15,300.

  Official source: tax.newmexico.gov ↗checked Oct 2, 2026

• Mar 6, 2026

  St. Mary's CountyMarylandTax lien certificateAlready held

  RealAuction (online, 10am)

  Official source: stmaryscountymd.gov ↗checked Sep 3, 2026
• Mar 24, 2026

  Baldwin CountyAlabamaTax lien certificateAlready held

  GovEase

  Official source: baldwincountyal.gov ↗checked Sep 3, 2026