La Plata, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Plata, New Mexico had a total population of 2,233, the 84th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $57,071, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.7%.
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 (35.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
La Plata Quick Facts
How La Plata 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 | 2,185 | 2,233 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $54,801 | $57,071 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $187,000 | $210,000 | +12.3% |
How La Plata 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 Plata Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in San Juan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 46,314 | $68,784 | 17.4% | $233,000 |
| Shiprock | 7,610 | $35,900 | 34.6% | $104,400 |
| Bloomfield | 7,395 | $48,472 | 25.7% | $161,200 |
| Aztec | 6,150 | $41,977 | 25.9% | $175,000 |
| Crouch Mesa | 4,812 | $63,750 | 21.9% | $89,200 |
| Lee Acres | 4,272 | $44,583 | 30.0% | $187,400 |
| Flora Vista | 2,770 | $44,352 | 20.2% | $219,300 |
| Center Point | 2,286 | $51,358 | 11.7% | $193,000 |
| West Hammond | 2,236 | $48,929 | 11.7% | $209,300 |
| Angustura | 1,997 | $53,750 | 26.3% | $170,400 |
Cities Similar to La Plata
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jemez Pueblo | 2,199 | $55,551 | $169,000 | 18.8% | 31.4% |
| Jarales | 2,144 | $55,676 | N/A | 14.2% | 9.5% |
| Jal | 2,364 | N/A | $97,600 | 19.0% | 32.0% |
| Santo Domingo Pueblo | 2,370 | $57,375 | $156,400 | 5.7% | 23.1% |
| Chimayo | 2,390 | $56,484 | $227,500 | 9.0% | 27.0% |
Population Overview
La Plata is a small community located in New Mexico, within San Juan County. The total population is 2,233. It ranks as the 84th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Plata is 45.3 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Plata is $57,071. This is 11% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.7%. This is 100% 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 8.5%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $210,000. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 82.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Plata is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (55.0% vs 36.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (15.6%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
15.4% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Plata, 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 Plata, New Mexico?
La Plata, New Mexico has a population of 2,233 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Plata, NM?
The median household income in La Plata is $57,071, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Plata, NM?
The poverty rate in La Plata is 35.7%. This means approximately 795 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Plata, New Mexico?
La Plata's population is 55.0% White, 1.9% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Plata, NM?
The median home value in La Plata is $210,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is La Plata, New Mexico?
15.4% of adults (25+) in La Plata hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.