Chaparral, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chaparral, New Mexico had a total population of 18,186, the 14th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $46,017, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Chaparral Quick Facts
How Chaparral 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 | 16,642 | 18,186 | +9.3% |
| Median household income | $46,102 | $46,017 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $101,900 | $109,300 | +7.3% |
How Chaparral 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chaparral Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Doña Ana County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | 114,197 | $55,422 | 22.6% | $231,700 |
| Sunland Park | 17,463 | $62,814 | 22.4% | $215,200 |
| Anthony | 8,767 | $38,132 | 32.9% | $116,000 |
| Santa Teresa | 6,041 | $63,161 | 23.9% | $215,100 |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | 25.7% | $104,400 |
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | 30.2% | N/A |
| San Ysidro | 2,118 | $89,473 | 8.6% | $335,300 |
| Picacho Hills | 2,002 | $120,850 | 5.5% | $456,400 |
| Radium Springs | 1,908 | $43,836 | 15.4% | $136,100 |
| Mesilla | 1,717 | $74,750 | 4.5% | $301,400 |
Cities Similar to Chaparral
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas | 18,618 | $62,330 | $262,900 | 25.9% | 18.2% |
| Sunland Park | 17,463 | $62,814 | $215,200 | 21.8% | 22.4% |
| Gallup | 21,023 | $58,303 | $165,200 | 23.5% | 26.8% |
| Deming | 15,221 | $34,165 | $127,400 | 15.9% | 30.9% |
| Las Vegas | 13,000 | $45,125 | $155,300 | 28.3% | 32.0% |
Population Overview
Chaparral is a small city located in New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 18,186. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chaparral is 31.6 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chaparral is $46,017. This is 28% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 54% 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 6.3%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $109,300. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Chaparral is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Chaparral has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 5.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (92.0% vs 48.4%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
10.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 68.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chaparral, 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 Chaparral, New Mexico?
Chaparral, New Mexico has a population of 18,186 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chaparral, NM?
The median household income in Chaparral is $46,017, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chaparral, NM?
The poverty rate in Chaparral is 27.4%. This means approximately 4,982 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chaparral, New Mexico?
Chaparral's population is 5.8% White, 0.1% Black, 92.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chaparral, NM?
The median home value in Chaparral is $109,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Chaparral, New Mexico?
10.5% of adults (25+) in Chaparral hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.