Elephant Butte, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elephant Butte, New Mexico had a total population of 1,790, the 105th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $53,482, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elephant Butte Quick Facts
How Elephant Butte 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 | 1,586 | 1,790 | +12.9% |
| Median household income | $45,179 | $53,482 | +18.4% |
| Median home value | $166,800 | $176,800 | +6.0% |
How Elephant Butte 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+)
Elephant Butte Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Sierra County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truth or Consequences | 6,019 | $33,788 | 31.7% | $124,600 |
| Arrey | 491 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Williamsburg | 466 | $29,250 | 12.9% | $43,600 |
| Las Palomas | 304 | $73,864 | 0.0% | $137,500 |
| Caballo | 233 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Hillsboro | 150 | N/A | 29.3% | $197,300 |
| Hot Springs Landing | 110 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Oasis | 75 | N/A | 76.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Elephant Butte
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boles Acres | 1,848 | $52,788 | N/A | 27.2% | 16.2% |
| Santa Clara | 1,809 | $57,898 | $141,500 | 14.3% | 23.4% |
| La Luz | 1,797 | $46,655 | $68,100 | 16.4% | 15.0% |
| Dixon | 1,623 | $54,231 | $392,700 | 28.8% | 37.6% |
| McIntosh | 1,943 | $56,566 | $168,500 | 8.9% | 28.7% |
Population Overview
Elephant Butte is a small community located in New Mexico, within Sierra County. The total population is 1,790. It ranks as the 105th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elephant Butte is 62.7 years. This is 59% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 11.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elephant Butte is $53,482. This is 17% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $176,800. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elephant Butte is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (78.2% vs 36.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (17.6%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
19.0% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elephant Butte, 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 Elephant Butte, New Mexico?
Elephant Butte, New Mexico has a population of 1,790 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elephant Butte, NM?
The median household income in Elephant Butte is $53,482, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elephant Butte, NM?
The poverty rate in Elephant Butte is 10.7%. This means approximately 192 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elephant Butte, New Mexico?
Elephant Butte's population is 78.2% White, 0.0% Black, 17.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elephant Butte, NM?
The median home value in Elephant Butte is $176,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Elephant Butte, New Mexico?
19.0% of adults (25+) in Elephant Butte hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.