Meadow Lake, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Meadow Lake, New Mexico had a total population of 4,259, the 53rd largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $43,649, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Meadow Lake Quick Facts
How Meadow Lake 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 | 3,959 | 4,259 | +7.6% |
| Median household income | $38,872 | $43,649 | +12.3% |
| Median home value | $83,500 | $77,900 | -6.7% |
How Meadow Lake 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+)
Meadow Lake Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Valencia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas | 18,618 | $62,330 | 18.2% | $262,900 |
| Belen | 7,450 | $42,627 | 31.2% | $166,100 |
| El Cerro Mission | 5,323 | $49,470 | 25.0% | $115,300 |
| Rio Communities | 4,925 | $46,035 | 13.4% | $205,900 |
| Los Chaves | 4,838 | $79,662 | 24.8% | $285,700 |
| Bosque Farms | 4,071 | $82,188 | 17.0% | $293,100 |
| Peralta | 3,404 | $73,131 | 5.2% | $299,200 |
| El Cerro | 2,923 | $106,136 | 5.9% | $311,500 |
| Valencia (Valencia County) | 2,406 | $55,170 | 29.4% | $262,900 |
| Jarales | 2,144 | $55,676 | 9.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Meadow Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Acres | 4,272 | $44,583 | $187,400 | 13.2% | 30.0% |
| Holloman AFB | 4,433 | $52,465 | N/A | 34.5% | 10.2% |
| Rio Communities | 4,925 | $46,035 | $205,900 | 25.1% | 13.4% |
| El Cerro Mission | 5,323 | $49,470 | $115,300 | 6.1% | 25.0% |
| Crouch Mesa | 4,812 | $63,750 | $89,200 | 14.8% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Meadow Lake is a small community located in New Mexico, within Valencia County. The total population is 4,259. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Meadow Lake is 39.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.4 years. With 29.9% of the population under 18, Meadow Lake has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Meadow Lake is $43,649. This is 32% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 16% 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 4.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $77,900. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Meadow Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Meadow Lake has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 12.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.0%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (85.8% vs 48.4%).
Education
12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 66.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Meadow Lake, 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 Meadow Lake, New Mexico?
Meadow Lake, New Mexico has a population of 4,259 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Meadow Lake, NM?
The median household income in Meadow Lake is $43,649, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Meadow Lake, NM?
The poverty rate in Meadow Lake is 20.6%. This means approximately 878 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Meadow Lake, New Mexico?
Meadow Lake's population is 12.0% White, 0.3% Black, 85.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Meadow Lake, NM?
The median home value in Meadow Lake is $77,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Meadow Lake, New Mexico?
12.6% of adults (25+) in Meadow Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.