Fort Sumner, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Sumner, New Mexico had a total population of 938, the 168th largest village in New Mexico. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 2.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
Fort Sumner Quick Facts
How Fort Sumner 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 | 958 | 938 | -2.1% |
How Fort Sumner 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+)
Fort Sumner Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in De Baca County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Sumner | 86 | N/A | 30.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Fort Sumner
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talpa | 955 | $49,167 | $387,300 | 60.4% | 13.2% |
| Salem | 916 | $31,386 | $61,500 | 2.5% | 54.1% |
| Texico | 967 | $65,000 | $95,900 | 8.0% | 16.6% |
| Cedar Hill | 902 | $82,050 | $275,000 | 32.7% | 12.1% |
| Magdalena | 976 | N/A | $99,500 | 0.0% | 38.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 938, Fort Sumner'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
Fort Sumner is a small community located in New Mexico, within De Baca County. The total population is 938. It ranks as the 168th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Sumner is 28.0 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 9.6%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. 84.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Sumner is Hispanic or Latino, making up 81.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.7%. 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 (81.0% vs 48.4%).
Education
2.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 91% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Sumner, 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 Fort Sumner, New Mexico?
Fort Sumner, New Mexico has a population of 938 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Sumner, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Fort Sumner — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Sumner, NM?
The poverty rate in Fort Sumner is 17.3%. This means approximately 160 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Sumner, New Mexico?
Fort Sumner's population is 18.7% White, 0.1% Black, 81.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Sumner, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Fort Sumner — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Fort Sumner, New Mexico?
2.7% of adults (25+) in Fort Sumner hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.