El Duende, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Duende, New Mexico had a total population of 454, the 264th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $124,081, which is 94% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 94% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Mexico.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.4% — among the lowest in New Mexico.
- Only 0.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
El Duende Quick Facts
How El Duende 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 | 730 | 454 | -37.8% |
| Median household income | $90,859 | $124,081 | +36.6% |
How El Duende 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 Duende 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 |
| Chama | 776 | $30,694 | 20.8% | $189,100 |
| San Jose (Rio Arriba County) | 776 | $80,179 | 14.3% | $254,900 |
Cities Similar to El Duende
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canova | 452 | N/A | N/A | 70.7% | 0.0% |
| Costilla | 450 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 7.8% |
| Laguna | 459 | N/A | N/A | 24.1% | 28.7% |
| Tecolotito | 465 | N/A | N/A | 2.1% | 58.9% |
| La Mesa | 473 | N/A | $206,300 | 15.5% | 17.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 454, El Duende'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
El Duende is a small community located in New Mexico, within Rio Arriba County. The total population is 454. It ranks as the 264th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Duende is 37.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 36.3% of the population under 18, El Duende has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Duende is $124,081. This is 94% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 54% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.4%. This is 98% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in El Duende, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
El Duende has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 98.9% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (98.9% vs 48.4%).
Education
0.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 99% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Duende, 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 El Duende, New Mexico?
El Duende, New Mexico has a population of 454 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Duende, NM?
The median household income in El Duende is $124,081, which is 54% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Duende, NM?
The poverty rate in El Duende is 0.4%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Duende, New Mexico?
El Duende's population is 0.9% White, 0.2% Black, 98.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Duende, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for El Duende — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is El Duende, New Mexico?
0.4% of adults (25+) in El Duende hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.