Haystack, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Haystack, New Mexico had a total population of 250, the 337th largest community in New Mexico. The poverty rate is 28.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 17.3% is notably above the national average.
Haystack Quick Facts
How Haystack 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 | 347 | 250 | -28.0% |
| Median home value | $109,300 | $106,300 | -2.7% |
How Haystack 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+)
Haystack Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in McKinley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup | 21,023 | $58,303 | 26.8% | $165,200 |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | 29.9% | $81,700 |
| Crownpoint | 2,882 | $51,011 | 31.5% | $61,100 |
| Navajo | 2,181 | $32,208 | 51.6% | N/A |
| Thoreau | 1,973 | $45,469 | 27.5% | $95,200 |
| Church Rock | 1,381 | $35,083 | 33.7% | $39,100 |
| Iyanbito | 1,233 | $52,500 | 32.2% | $49,300 |
| Gamerco | 1,176 | $48,977 | 52.0% | $99,600 |
| Black Rock | 1,125 | $46,000 | 38.9% | $101,100 |
| Prewitt | 1,027 | $19,074 | 54.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Haystack
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakaibito | 251 | $27,917 | $67,500 | 11.1% | 45.4% |
| Rosedale | 252 | N/A | $196,500 | 40.7% | 34.5% |
| Willard | 248 | $63,125 | $98,500 | 31.3% | 6.9% |
| Alamillo | 247 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 70.9% |
| Glen Acres | 247 | $99,688 | $159,600 | 0.0% | 30.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 250, Haystack'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
Haystack is a small community located in New Mexico, within McKinley County. The total population is 250. It ranks as the 337th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Haystack is 38.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 31.2% of the population under 18, Haystack has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 18.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 28.4%. This is 59% 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 17.3%. This is 190% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $106,300. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $248,100. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Haystack is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
8.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 58.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Haystack, 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 Haystack, New Mexico?
Haystack, New Mexico has a population of 250 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Haystack, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Haystack — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Haystack, NM?
The poverty rate in Haystack is 28.4%. This means approximately 71 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Haystack, New Mexico?
Haystack's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Haystack, NM?
The median home value in Haystack is $106,300.
How educated is Haystack, New Mexico?
8.4% of adults (25+) in Haystack hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.