Arenas Valley CDP, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Arenas Valley CDP is a small community located in New Mexico. The total population is 915. It ranks as the 165th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Arenas Valley CDP is 56.9 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 39.2 years. Only 4.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 28.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Arenas Valley CDP is $74,107. This is 19% higher than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 6% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $166,100. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Arenas Valley CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Arenas Valley CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 39.6%.

Education

27.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Arenas Valley CDP, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.