Arenas Valley, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arenas Valley, New Mexico had a total population of 1,247, the 136th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $44,300, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Arenas Valley Quick Facts
How Arenas Valley Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 915 | 1,247 | +36.3% |
| Median household income | $74,107 | $44,300 | -40.2% |
| Median home value | $166,100 | $189,900 | +14.3% |
How Arenas Valley Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Arenas Valley Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver City | 9,536 | $38,711 | 23.7% | $182,100 |
| Bayard | 2,057 | $34,477 | 34.6% | $117,700 |
| Santa Clara | 1,809 | $57,898 | 23.4% | $141,500 |
| Little Walnut Village | 1,445 | $125,175 | 2.8% | $292,700 |
| Hurley | 1,044 | $36,202 | 17.7% | $89,700 |
| Tyrone | 814 | $47,031 | 22.9% | $166,100 |
| Gila | 366 | N/A | 30.3% | N/A |
| Mimbres | 330 | $66,250 | 3.0% | $179,400 |
| Hanover | 263 | $31,000 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Rosedale | 252 | N/A | 34.5% | $196,500 |
Cities Similar to Arenas Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountainair | 1,178 | $43,021 | $95,300 | 16.8% | 22.1% |
| Ohkay Owingeh | 1,194 | $47,067 | N/A | 21.6% | 23.6% |
| Loving | 1,357 | $43,884 | $171,600 | 5.0% | 20.1% |
| Los Luceros | 1,136 | N/A | N/A | 7.5% | 3.4% |
| Iyanbito | 1,233 | $52,500 | $49,300 | 13.7% | 32.2% |
Population Overview
Arenas Valley is a small community located in New Mexico, within Grant County. The total population is 1,247. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arenas Valley is 58.2 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 5.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 25.5% 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 is $44,300. This is 31% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $189,900. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 75.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Arenas Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 44.1%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arenas Valley, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all New Mexico city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Arenas Valley, New Mexico?
Arenas Valley, New Mexico has a population of 1,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arenas Valley, NM?
The median household income in Arenas Valley is $44,300, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arenas Valley, NM?
The poverty rate in Arenas Valley is 16.1%. This means approximately 201 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arenas Valley, New Mexico?
Arenas Valley's population is 48.9% White, 0.0% Black, 44.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arenas Valley, NM?
The median home value in Arenas Valley is $189,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Arenas Valley, New Mexico?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Arenas Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.