Chama, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chama, New Mexico had a total population of 776, the 185th largest village in New Mexico, with a median household income of $30,694, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Chama Quick Facts
How Chama 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 | 748 | 776 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $194,300 | $189,100 | -2.7% |
How Chama 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+)
Chama Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Rio Arriba County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dulce | 3,218 | $39,773 | 22.1% | $53,300 |
| La Mesilla | 2,697 | $81,438 | 9.0% | $315,800 |
| Dixon | 1,623 | $54,231 | 37.6% | $392,700 |
| La Villita | 1,534 | $104,162 | 4.7% | $253,500 |
| Ohkay Owingeh | 1,194 | $47,067 | 23.6% | N/A |
| Los Luceros | 1,136 | N/A | 3.4% | N/A |
| El Rito | 1,102 | N/A | 54.4% | $332,300 |
| Chamita | 867 | $68,472 | 19.8% | $222,300 |
| San Jose (Rio Arriba County) | 776 | $80,179 | 14.3% | $254,900 |
| Hernandez | 769 | $26,923 | 28.1% | $148,200 |
Cities Similar to Chama
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hernandez | 769 | $26,923 | $148,200 | 6.1% | 28.1% |
| La Puebla | 715 | N/A | $266,500 | 16.6% | 2.9% |
| Logan | 740 | $34,271 | $119,000 | 14.5% | 29.3% |
| Napi Headquarters | 717 | $28,831 | N/A | 4.6% | 46.7% |
| Cedar Crest | 886 | N/A | $248,400 | 47.2% | 10.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 776, Chama's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Chama is a small community located in New Mexico, within Rio Arriba County. The total population is 776. It ranks as the 185th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chama is 64.4 years. This is 63% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 7.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chama is $30,694. This is 52% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 62% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 16% 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 7.2%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $189,100. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 80.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chama is Hispanic or Latino, making up 73.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (73.7% vs 48.4%).
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 80.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chama, 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 Chama, New Mexico?
Chama, New Mexico has a population of 776 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chama, NM?
The median household income in Chama is $30,694, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chama, NM?
The poverty rate in Chama is 20.8%. This means approximately 161 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chama, New Mexico?
Chama's population is 22.3% White, 0.0% Black, 73.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chama, NM?
The median home value in Chama is $189,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Chama, New Mexico?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Chama hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.