Belen city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Belen city, New Mexico has a total population of 7,427, the 32nd largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $40,354, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Belen city Quick Facts
How Belen city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Belen city Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Cities Similar to Belen city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield city | 7,391 | $51,212 | $167,800 | 14.3% | 24.3% |
| Shiprock CDP | 8,339 | $41,563 | $101,500 | 12.0% | 29.0% |
| Ruidoso village | 7,701 | $50,259 | $229,100 | 30.9% | 16.5% |
| Taos town | 6,468 | $46,579 | $432,700 | 36.2% | 13.5% |
| Aztec city | 6,177 | $42,699 | $164,700 | 17.9% | 24.7% |
Population Overview
Belen city is a small city located in New Mexico. The total population is 7,427. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belen city is 39.0 years. This is about average than the state median of 39.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belen city is $40,354. This is 35% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.5%. This is 57% 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 6.2%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $154,600. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $232,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Belen city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 70.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.0%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
14.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 80.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belen city, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Belen city, New Mexico?
Belen city, New Mexico has a population of 7,427 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belen city, NM?
The median household income in Belen city is $40,354, which is 49% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Belen city, NM?
The poverty rate in Belen city is 28.5%. This means approximately 2,072 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belen city, New Mexico?
Belen city's population is 28.0% White, 0.4% Black, 70.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belen city, NM?
The median home value in Belen city is $154,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Belen city, New Mexico?
14.3% of adults (25+) in Belen city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.