Dulce, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dulce, New Mexico had a total population of 3,218, the 59th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $39,773, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
Dulce Quick Facts
How Dulce 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 | 2,782 | 3,218 | +15.7% |
| Median household income | $41,886 | $39,773 | -5.0% |
| Median home value | $58,100 | $53,300 | -8.3% |
How Dulce 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+)
Dulce Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Rio Arriba County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Chama | 776 | $30,694 | 20.8% | $189,100 |
| San Jose (Rio Arriba County) | 776 | $80,179 | 14.3% | $254,900 |
| Hernandez | 769 | $26,923 | 28.1% | $148,200 |
Cities Similar to Dulce
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | $104,400 | 3.7% | 25.7% |
| Eunice | 3,015 | $49,087 | $139,800 | 5.8% | 12.9% |
| Flora Vista | 2,770 | $44,352 | $219,300 | 10.8% | 20.2% |
| Clayton | 2,753 | $34,500 | $110,500 | 13.8% | 20.5% |
| Crownpoint | 2,882 | $51,011 | $61,100 | 14.2% | 31.5% |
Population Overview
Dulce is a small community located in New Mexico, within Rio Arriba County. The total population is 3,218. It ranks as the 59th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dulce is 37.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dulce is $39,773. This is 38% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 24% 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 5.9%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $53,300. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Dulce is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dulce is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.9%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dulce, 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 Dulce, New Mexico?
Dulce, New Mexico has a population of 3,218 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dulce, NM?
The median household income in Dulce is $39,773, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dulce, NM?
The poverty rate in Dulce is 22.1%. This means approximately 708 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dulce, New Mexico?
Dulce's population is 1.3% White, 0.7% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dulce, NM?
The median home value in Dulce is $53,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Dulce, New Mexico?
11.4% of adults (25+) in Dulce hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.