The 2000 US Census Bureau reported that in Carrizozo, 23 people worked at home, 268 people worked within a 29 minute drive, 18 people worked 44 minutes from home and 102 people traveled more than 45 minutes to get to work.
Carrizozo’s remote location and limited work opportunities has contributed to its low median income and high poverty level. According to the Town of Carrizozo Comprehensive Plan of 2008 by Architectural Research Consultants, Inc., (to be updated in 2021), area ranching and agriculture rank low and mid-range, respectively, in production with the number of head of sheep and lambs ranking second out of 34 counties and 16th in cattle and calves and remains an integral part of the work ethic and culture of the area.
Finding a qualified workforce continues to be a challenge. The New Mexico Workforce Connection is housed at ENMU-Ruidoso and provides myriad free services to job-seekers and employers and a collaborative program aimed at training high school students in wind technology and cyber security is one innovative example of how the local schools are attempting to train Carrizozo youth to stay in the area.