Doing Business

Hobbs, NM: A Prime Business Location

Where Energy & Businesses Are Booming

Hobbs, New Mexico, boasts a strategic location in the heart of the Permian Basin and a median age of 31 years old – one of the lowest in the state. With a strong workforce, robust education system and growing industries, Hobbs, New Mexico, is a place where your business can thrive.

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Young & Growing Workforce in Southeast New Mexico

Located at the heart of the Permian Basin, Hobbs, New Mexico, is the largest city in Lea County – which is among the top three fastest-growing counties in New Mexico. Lea County is projected to see a 15% increase in population over the next two decades.

Hobbs is a long-time oil and gas town that propels the state’s oil and gas industry. With a population of more than 54,000, the greatest concentration of people is under age 19, ensuring a positive stream of workers for the future labor supply. Hobbs is also the largest labor market in southeast New Mexico and boasts the most productive workforce training facility in the state at New Mexico Junior College.

Lea County’s top industry for revenue and employment is oil and gas extraction and services, with growing industries including manufacturing and healthcare. Construction, retail trade and healthcare all employ more than 3,000 people each.

Hobbs, NM, is a highly entrepreneurial, pro-business, collaborative community with an infectious energy that’s here to help your company succeed.

Facts

Lea County is one of the top fastest-growing counties in New Mexico, with projections showing a 15% increase in population in the next 20 years.
Hobbs’ median age is 31, and the greatest concentration is under age 19 – a positive factor for the future labor supply.
Hobbs High School has the highest graduation rate among large schools in New Mexico.
Hobbs offers a range of degrees and certifications through two higher education institutions: New Mexico Junior College & University of the Southwest.

Rankings

#1

Workforce Training Center in New Mexico New Mexico Junior College

31

Hobbs, NM Median Age U.S. Census Bureau

19%

Hobbs Population Growth 2010-2020 U.S. Census Bureau

15%

Projected 20-Year Population Growth in Lea County State of New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

Major Employers, Private Sector

*Source: Economic Development Corporation of Lea County
Company Name# of Employees
Hobbs Municipal Schools1,500
Nor-Lea Hospital595
City of Hobbs560
Lovington Municipal Schools540
Lea County413
Walmart SuperCenter400
Ingram Professional Services365
Mewbourne Oil Company355
Watson's Construction337
New Mexico Junior College306
Albertson’s Market280
UUSA / Urenco231
Covenant Health Hobbs225
McDonald's Restaurant210
Ferguson Construction Company207
GEO Group Lea County Correctional Facility198
Zia Park Casino, Hotel & Racetrack185
Home Depot180
Lin-Mar Inc.143
Xcel Energy100

Data

Percent Employment by Select Occupation

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Population & Demographics

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey

54,460Hobbs Population (CCD)74,455Lea County Population19%City of Hobbs Population Growth from 2010-202015%Lea County Population Growth from 2010-2020

Age Distribution (2017)

Age Distribution (2017)

Hobbs, New Mexico Population By Age:
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau
0-1933.5%
20 to 34 Years22%
35 to 54 Years23.7%
55 to 64 Years10.9%
65 to 74 Years5.7%
75 and over4.2%
Median Age31

Hobbs Workforce

Home to the largest labor market in southeast New Mexico, Hobbs offers access to strong educational opportunities, making the city a long-term living solution for an otherwise transient workforce throughout the Permian Basin. The largest concentration of Hobbs’ population is under age 19, and the median age is 31.

New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs offers the state’s top-rated workforce training facility. Additionally, completed in 2022 is a $46 million vocational-technical high school that provides Hobbs’ youth with the tools they need to launch careers in high-need industries, while simultaneously providing the marketplace with skilled labor.

Ample Incentive Opportunities for your Business

Hobbs, Lea County & New Mexico offer a wide range of incentives to help launch all types of businesses. The City of Hobbs offers several incentives for residential developers, and Hobbs and Lea County have both passed the Local Economic Development Act. There are incentive options for industrial, retail or residential developments.

An Opportunity Zone in Lea County offers a new investment option for relocating to or expanding in Hobbs. Eligible Opportunity Zone projects include housing, retail, industrial projects, expansions and new businesses. Read more about incentives available and contact the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County to learn more about specific incentives. Visit the New Mexico Economic Development Department website for a full list of state incentives.

Top Workforce Training Options

New Mexico Junior College has Workforce Training Center recently re-named Workforce Development.

The New Mexico Junior College Careers and Technology division offers customizable trainings including:

  • Workforce Training
  • Continuing Education
  • Customized Training
  • CDL Training
  • Small Business Development Center

Read more about NMJC’s Workforce Development Center and contact the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County to learn more about how NMJC can help you!

Centrally Located

Hobbs is in the middle of the Lea County EnergyPlex, at the heart of the Permian Basin, just four miles west of Texas. Hobbs serves as the largest retail trade area in southeastern New Mexico.

Located at the junction of Highway 18 and US-62/180, Hobbs is less than two hours driving distance from the Texas cities of Midland and Lubbock and the New Mexico cities of Roswell and Carlsbad.

Lea County Regional Airport (HOB), just a mile west of Hobbs, offers daily commercial flight service to Denver & Houston, connecting you to 350 destinations around the world.

Jennifer Grassham

President & CEO,
Economic Development Corporation of Lea County

jennifer@edclc.org
575.397.2039