La Luz, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Luz, New Mexico had a total population of 1,797, the 104th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $46,655, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 26.4% is notably above the national average.
La Luz Quick Facts
How La Luz 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 | 1,683 | 1,797 | +6.8% |
| Median household income | $35,324 | $46,655 | +32.1% |
| Median home value | $60,800 | $68,100 | +12.0% |
How La Luz 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 Luz Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Otero County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo | 31,307 | $55,952 | 16.6% | $172,900 |
| Holloman AFB | 4,433 | $52,465 | 10.2% | N/A |
| Tularosa | 2,597 | $52,375 | 15.4% | $150,600 |
| Boles Acres | 1,848 | $52,788 | 16.2% | N/A |
| High Rolls | 1,313 | $86,375 | 0.8% | $257,600 |
| Mescalero | 832 | $24,313 | 42.7% | $43,300 |
| Cloudcroft | 630 | $56,563 | 24.6% | $234,800 |
| Timberon | 479 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Twin Forks | 310 | $76,042 | 52.3% | $250,000 |
| Sacramento | 246 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to La Luz
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Butte | 1,790 | $53,482 | $176,800 | 19.0% | 10.7% |
| Boles Acres | 1,848 | $52,788 | N/A | 27.2% | 16.2% |
| Radium Springs | 1,908 | $43,836 | $136,100 | 23.7% | 15.4% |
| Thoreau | 1,973 | $45,469 | $95,200 | 4.2% | 27.5% |
| Santa Clara | 1,809 | $57,898 | $141,500 | 14.3% | 23.4% |
Population Overview
La Luz is a small community located in New Mexico, within Otero County. The total population is 1,797. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Luz is 41.9 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Luz is $46,655. This is 27% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 26.4%. This is 342% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $68,100. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, La Luz is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Luz is Hispanic or Latino, making up 52.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 99.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Luz, 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 Luz, New Mexico?
La Luz, New Mexico has a population of 1,797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Luz, NM?
The median household income in La Luz is $46,655, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Luz, NM?
The poverty rate in La Luz is 15.0%. This means approximately 270 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Luz, New Mexico?
La Luz's population is 38.8% White, 0.2% Black, 52.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Luz, NM?
The median home value in La Luz is $68,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is La Luz, New Mexico?
16.4% of adults (25+) in La Luz hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.