La Mesa, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Mesa, New Mexico had a total population of 473, the 255th largest community 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
La Mesa Quick Facts
How La Mesa 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 | 548 | 473 | -13.7% |
| Median home value | $108,700 | $206,300 | +89.8% |
How La Mesa 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+)
La Mesa Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Doña Ana County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | 114,197 | $55,422 | 22.6% | $231,700 |
| Chaparral | 18,186 | $46,017 | 27.4% | $109,300 |
| Sunland Park | 17,463 | $62,814 | 22.4% | $215,200 |
| Anthony | 8,767 | $38,132 | 32.9% | $116,000 |
| Santa Teresa | 6,041 | $63,161 | 23.9% | $215,100 |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | 25.7% | $104,400 |
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | 30.2% | N/A |
| San Ysidro | 2,118 | $89,473 | 8.6% | $335,300 |
| Picacho Hills | 2,002 | $120,850 | 5.5% | $456,400 |
| Radium Springs | 1,908 | $43,836 | 15.4% | $136,100 |
Cities Similar to La Mesa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cochiti Lake | 476 | $57,375 | $255,300 | 52.2% | 11.1% |
| Ojo Encino | 470 | $28,953 | $92,600 | 7.0% | 71.9% |
| Lake Arthur | 478 | $76,429 | $116,100 | 3.3% | 7.5% |
| Timberon | 479 | N/A | N/A | 73.8% | 0.0% |
| Williamsburg | 466 | $29,250 | $43,600 | 13.3% | 12.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 473, La Mesa'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 Mesa is a small community located in New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 473. It ranks as the 255th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Mesa is 63.7 years. This is 62% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 12.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The survey records no unemployed residents in La Mesa, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $206,300. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $248,100. 77.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Mesa is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 3.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.2% vs 48.4%).
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 63.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Mesa, 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 Mesa, New Mexico?
La Mesa, New Mexico has a population of 473 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Mesa, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for La Mesa — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Mesa, NM?
The poverty rate in La Mesa is 17.3%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Mesa, New Mexico?
La Mesa's population is 3.8% White, 0.0% Black, 82.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Mesa, NM?
The median home value in La Mesa is $206,300.
How educated is La Mesa, New Mexico?
15.5% of adults (25+) in La Mesa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.