Belen, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belen, New Mexico had a total population of 7,450, the 32nd largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $42,627, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Belen Quick Facts
How Belen 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 | 7,427 | 7,450 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $40,354 | $42,627 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $154,600 | $166,100 | +7.4% |
How Belen 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Belen Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Valencia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas | 18,618 | $62,330 | 18.2% | $262,900 |
| El Cerro Mission | 5,323 | $49,470 | 25.0% | $115,300 |
| Rio Communities | 4,925 | $46,035 | 13.4% | $205,900 |
| Los Chaves | 4,838 | $79,662 | 24.8% | $285,700 |
| Meadow Lake | 4,259 | $43,649 | 20.6% | $77,900 |
| Bosque Farms | 4,071 | $82,188 | 17.0% | $293,100 |
| Peralta | 3,404 | $73,131 | 5.2% | $299,200 |
| El Cerro | 2,923 | $106,136 | 5.9% | $311,500 |
| Valencia (Valencia County) | 2,406 | $55,170 | 29.4% | $262,900 |
| Jarales | 2,144 | $55,676 | 9.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Belen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield | 7,395 | $48,472 | $161,200 | 14.9% | 25.7% |
| Shiprock | 7,610 | $35,900 | $104,400 | 11.6% | 34.6% |
| Ruidoso | 7,699 | $52,736 | $243,800 | 35.4% | 20.6% |
| Socorro | 8,481 | $39,375 | $152,900 | 25.1% | 32.6% |
| Taos | 6,458 | $47,304 | $445,900 | 39.0% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Belen is a small city located in New Mexico, within Valencia County. The total population is 7,450. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belen is 37.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belen is $42,627. This is 33% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.2%. This is 75% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. 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 8.0%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $166,100. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 73.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Belen is Hispanic or Latino, making up 68.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.1%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 75.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belen, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Belen, New Mexico?
Belen, New Mexico has a population of 7,450 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belen, NM?
The median household income in Belen is $42,627, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belen, NM?
The poverty rate in Belen is 31.2%. This means approximately 2,256 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belen, New Mexico?
Belen's population is 26.1% White, 0.9% Black, 68.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belen, NM?
The median home value in Belen is $166,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Belen, New Mexico?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Belen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.