Raton MainStreet: Community Economic Assessment

Raton’s population is stagnant (slight decline in population between 1990-2000). Per capita incomes in Raton are low ($14,224 vs. $17,261 for New Mexico, comparable to Colfax as a whole) and unemployment rates are very high (7.2% vs. 3.3% for New Mexico in 2000). A large share of Raton’s households depend on fixed income (38.9% receive Social Security benefits vs. 25.5% for New Mexico, 23.5% receive retirement benefits vs. 17.4% for New Mexico). Overall, Raton has a strong surplus in taxable gross receipts, providing for solid town finances.