Lake Arthur, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Arthur, New Mexico had a total population of 478, the 253rd largest town in New Mexico, with a median household income of $76,429, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.9% is notably above the national average.
Lake Arthur Quick Facts
How Lake Arthur 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 | 438 | 478 | +9.1% |
| Median household income | $81,875 | $76,429 | -6.7% |
| Median home value | $113,900 | $116,100 | +1.9% |
How Lake Arthur 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+)
Lake Arthur Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Chaves County
Cities Similar to Lake Arthur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timberon | 479 | N/A | N/A | 73.8% | 0.0% |
| La Mesa | 473 | N/A | $206,300 | 15.5% | 17.3% |
| Arrey | 491 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Tecolotito | 465 | N/A | N/A | 2.1% | 58.9% |
| Laguna | 459 | N/A | N/A | 24.1% | 28.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 478, Lake Arthur'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
Lake Arthur is a small community located in New Mexico, within Chaves County. The total population is 478. It ranks as the 253rd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Arthur is 30.7 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Arthur is $76,429. This is 19% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 58% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 13.9%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $116,100. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Lake Arthur is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Arthur is Hispanic or Latino, making up 73.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.0%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (73.6% vs 48.4%).
Education
3.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 89% 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 83.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Arthur, 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 Lake Arthur, New Mexico?
Lake Arthur, New Mexico has a population of 478 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Arthur, NM?
The median household income in Lake Arthur is $76,429, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Arthur, NM?
The poverty rate in Lake Arthur is 7.5%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Arthur, New Mexico?
Lake Arthur's population is 10.0% White, 0.0% Black, 73.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Arthur, NM?
The median home value in Lake Arthur is $116,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Lake Arthur, New Mexico?
3.3% of adults (25+) in Lake Arthur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.