El Cerro Mission, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Cerro Mission, New Mexico had a total population of 5,323, the 45th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $49,470, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.8% is notably above the national average.
El Cerro Mission Quick Facts
How El Cerro Mission 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 | 5,101 | 5,323 | +4.4% |
| Median household income | $49,719 | $49,470 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $101,000 | $115,300 | +14.2% |
How El Cerro Mission 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+)
El Cerro Mission 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 |
| Belen | 7,450 | $42,627 | 31.2% | $166,100 |
| 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 El Cerro Mission
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Communities | 4,925 | $46,035 | $205,900 | 25.1% | 13.4% |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | $81,700 | 7.0% | 29.9% |
| Raton | 6,026 | $52,641 | $134,300 | 21.3% | 25.1% |
| Holloman AFB | 4,433 | $52,465 | N/A | 34.5% | 10.2% |
| Taos | 6,458 | $47,304 | $445,900 | 39.0% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
El Cerro Mission is a small city located in New Mexico, within Valencia County. The total population is 5,323. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Cerro Mission is 34.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, El Cerro Mission has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Cerro Mission is $49,470. This is 23% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.0%. This is 40% 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 14.8%. This is 149% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $115,300. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, El Cerro Mission is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in El Cerro Mission is Hispanic or Latino, making up 79.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (79.1% vs 48.4%).
Education
6.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 70.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Cerro Mission, 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 El Cerro Mission, New Mexico?
El Cerro Mission, New Mexico has a population of 5,323 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Cerro Mission, NM?
The median household income in El Cerro Mission is $49,470, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Cerro Mission, NM?
The poverty rate in El Cerro Mission is 25.0%. This means approximately 1,330 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Cerro Mission, New Mexico?
El Cerro Mission's population is 18.8% White, 0.0% Black, 79.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Cerro Mission, NM?
The median home value in El Cerro Mission is $115,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is El Cerro Mission, New Mexico?
6.1% of adults (25+) in El Cerro Mission hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.