La Jara, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Jara, New Mexico had a total population of 176, the 373rd largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $16,049, which is 75% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 82.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 75% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (82.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x.
La Jara Quick Facts
How La Jara 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 | 163 | 176 | +8.0% |
How La Jara 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
La Jara Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Sandoval County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernalillo | 9,086 | $63,880 | 15.9% | $255,500 |
| Corrales | 8,555 | $102,307 | 7.0% | $571,500 |
| Placitas (Sandoval County) | 4,223 | $109,750 | 3.2% | $562,100 |
| Santo Domingo Pueblo | 2,370 | $57,375 | 23.1% | $156,400 |
| Jemez Pueblo | 2,199 | $55,551 | 31.4% | $169,000 |
| Rio Rancho Estates | 1,571 | $91,635 | 19.6% | $153,500 |
| Algodones | 1,479 | $67,994 | 18.1% | $234,800 |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | 27.5% | $210,100 |
| Santa Ana Pueblo | 1,026 | $86,250 | 5.5% | $150,000 |
| Zia Pueblo | 770 | $56,518 | 5.8% | $163,600 |
Cities Similar to La Jara
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Acacia | 176 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 76.1% |
| Encantado | 175 | N/A | $861,800 | 49.7% | 34.3% |
| Candy Kitchen | 180 | N/A | $213,800 | 4.4% | 16.1% |
| La Madera (Rio Arriba County) | 171 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Corona | 168 | N/A | $88,300 | 19.0% | 20.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 176, La Jara'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
La Jara is a small community located in New Mexico, within Sandoval County. The total population is 176. It ranks as the 373rd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Jara is 68.0 years. This is 73% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Jara is $16,049. This is 75% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 80% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 82.4%. This is 362% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in La Jara, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $13,400. Housing costs are 95% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, La Jara is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Jara is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.1%.
Education
38.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 83.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Jara, 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 Jara, New Mexico?
La Jara, New Mexico has a population of 176 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Jara, NM?
The median household income in La Jara is $16,049, which is 80% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Jara, NM?
The poverty rate in La Jara is 82.4%. This means approximately 145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Jara, New Mexico?
La Jara's population is 34.1% White, 0.0% Black, 49.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Jara, NM?
The median home value in La Jara is $13,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is La Jara, New Mexico?
38.1% of adults (25+) in La Jara hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.