Foreclosures in New Mexico increased in 2009 over the prior year. There was a total of 7,212 properties with foreclosure filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 120 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is a little less than one percent of the state's housing units.
New Mexico is the 36th largest U.S. state by population, with 1,984,356 people (in 2008). Its 121,665 square miles make it the 5th largest state by area. Median household income in 2008 was $43,508.
New Mexico accounts for more than 3 percent of the country's oil production and about 8.5 percent of its gas production. The state's largest employment sector is government: 20 percent of jobs come from health, education and social services. Below that are the retail and tourism industries. New Mexico generates about $6.5 billion dollars in tourist revenue annually. In the agriculture area, the biggest products are livestock, hay, and sorghum.