Living in Hobbs,
New Mexico

Down Arrow

Hobbs is Family-Friendly, Collaborative, Caring and Engaged

Hobbs is a welcoming hometown of more than 54,000 ambitious people. We punch above our weight class when it comes to our assets – just look at the more than $150 million worth of quality of life improvements we’ve made recently. Hobbs, located in southeast New Mexico, just four miles west of the Texas border, is the Permian Basin’s most livable community, providing residents with an all-access pass to an array of offerings that suit every preference.

Into the outdoors? Residents living in Hobbs, NM, enjoy 266 days of sunshine, allowing plenty of time to access trails, hunting, hiking, skiing, fishing and golf. If you prefer the arts, there’s the Southwest Symphony and the Western Heritage Museum. A nationally recognized and award-winning facility, the Center of Recreational Excellence – CORE – boasts the state’s tallest indoor waterslide (and so much more). And that’s only just the beginning.

Plus, when travel calls, Hobbs’ Lea County Regional Airport (HOB) offers nonstop flights to Houston and Denver with over 350 connecting destinations worldwide, serving as your global launch pad to anywhere you want to go.

Rankings

One of the Most Affordable Counties in NM Lea County, NM Niche | 2022

#1

Golfers' Choice 2022: Best Golf Courses in New Mexico Rockwind Community Links Golf Pass | 2022

Figures

Invested in Hobbs quality of life improvements projects since 2008 $150M+
Population 54,460
Average Commute Time 23.6 Minutes
Average Household Income $61,867

Facts

Hobbs' CORE won the Facility Design Award in the $2.5M and over category, presented by the New Mexico Recreation and Parks Association, for outstanding community building in 2019.
Rockwind Community Links was selected by Golfers' Choice 2022 as #1 best golf course in New Mexico.

Center of Recreational Excellence (CORE)

Hobbs opened the $62.5 million Center of Recreational Excellence – or CORE – in 2018 after decades of planning. The 158,000 square-foot multigenerational recreational facility boasts New Mexico’s tallest indoor water slide (and three swimming pools), year-round sports (including an indoor turf field and multiple basketball courts), state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a three-story jungle gym, and an array of family-friendly activities like dive-in movies.

The project marks the largest collaboration of public and private entities in the state’s history, and the facility is now used by residents throughout the region as well as 1 in 10 local residents. Membership rates start as low as $28 a month.

Get Outside During All Four Seasons

Living in Hobbs means basking in sunshine. With 266 sunny days per year, Hobbs offers an ideal climate to take life outside. Enjoy several miles of lighted trails perfect for walking, biking, disc golf and running. Play golf year-round at Rockwind Community Links, ranked No. 1 Best Golf Course in the state by Golfers’ Choice 2022. Hobbs also boasts the USSSA outstanding baseball and softball complex throughout a multi-state region.

With two dozen parks, three outdoor aquatic facilities, two public fishing areas, several active youth sports leagues and ample community events like Hobbs August Nights, Downtown Sounds, and Fiestas de Septiembre, there’s no shortage of activities for any age. Looking for a long weekend getaway? Travel just a few hours to the west of Hobbs for hiking or snow skiing in the Rocky Mountains.

Rich in Education Opportunities

Hobbs Municipal School District educates over 10,000 students and boasts 19 campuses. Hobbs High School has the highest graduation rate among large schools in New Mexico. Hobbs Municipal School District offers a strong Advanced Placement program, with nearly 40 percent of students enrolled in Pre-AP or AP classes.  A $46 million new vocational-technical high school has also been completed in 2022, providing Hobbs’ youth the tools they need to launch careers in high-need industries.

Hobbs’ two higher education institutions provides access to a range of degrees. New Mexico Junior College serves over 3,000 students and offers the most productive workforce training facility in the state. The University of the Southwest is a private, four-year Christian university offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. USW also has an award winning and nationally-ranked online curriculum for those looking to further their educations while working fulltime.

Variety of Quality Healthcare Options

Lea County offers two area hospitals and multiple local clinics.

Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital in Hobbs and Nor-Lea Hospital, located in Lovington, is a 25-bed facility. In August of 2022 a Grand Opening took place for the $6 million Nor-Lea Hobbs Medical Clinic expansion.  Both offer a range of healthcare services including emergency department, cardiac care, pediatrics, mental health, hospice, imaging and more.

Covenant Health completed construction in 2022 of a $75 million, 105,000 square-foot hospital in Hobbs, NM. The facility has 32-inpatient beds, an Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room, and a Labor & Delivery Center.

 

Jennifer Grassham

President & CEO,
Economic Development Corporation of Lea County

jennifer@edclc.org
575.397.2039