La Cienega, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Cienega, New Mexico had a total population of 3,543, the 56th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $85,250, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Mexico.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
La Cienega Quick Facts
How La Cienega 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 | 3,780 | 3,543 | -6.3% |
| Median household income | $68,676 | $85,250 | +24.1% |
| Median home value | $417,900 | $517,100 | +23.7% |
How La Cienega 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
La Cienega Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Santa Fe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | 89,019 | $73,482 | 12.9% | $444,900 |
| Española | 10,473 | $47,667 | 20.4% | $210,800 |
| Eldorado at Santa Fe | 5,619 | $106,633 | 8.4% | $591,900 |
| Agua Fria | 2,898 | $65,101 | 25.3% | $270,400 |
| Chimayo | 2,390 | $56,484 | 27.0% | $227,500 |
| Pojoaque | 2,327 | $74,028 | 11.3% | $165,600 |
| Las Campanas | 2,119 | $204,922 | 8.9% | $1,545,800 |
| Nambe | 2,035 | $59,375 | 15.2% | $301,500 |
| Tres Arroyos | 1,926 | $87,841 | 2.2% | $678,500 |
| Tano Road | 1,586 | $183,162 | 9.8% | $1,133,900 |
Cities Similar to La Cienega
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirtland AFB | 3,413 | $84,884 | N/A | 51.2% | 12.9% |
| Peralta | 3,404 | $73,131 | $299,200 | 25.9% | 5.2% |
| Bosque Farms | 4,071 | $82,188 | $293,100 | 33.2% | 17.0% |
| La Mesilla | 2,697 | $81,438 | $315,800 | 38.8% | 9.0% |
| Placitas (Sandoval County) | 4,223 | $109,750 | $562,100 | 65.5% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
La Cienega is a small community located in New Mexico, within Santa Fe County. The total population is 3,543. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Cienega is 44.2 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Cienega is $85,250. This is 33% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $517,100. Housing costs are 108% higher than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 79.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Cienega is Hispanic or Latino, making up 73.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (73.6% vs 48.4%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
33.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher 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 89.6%. Notably, 15.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Cienega, 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 La Cienega, New Mexico?
La Cienega, New Mexico has a population of 3,543 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Cienega, NM?
The median household income in La Cienega is $85,250, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Cienega, NM?
The poverty rate in La Cienega is 10.0%. This means approximately 353 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Cienega, New Mexico?
La Cienega's population is 24.8% White, 0.0% Black, 73.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Cienega, NM?
The median home value in La Cienega is $517,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
How educated is La Cienega, New Mexico?
33.6% of adults (25+) in La Cienega hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.