Melrose, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melrose, New Mexico had a total population of 447, the 269th largest village in New Mexico, with a median household income of $32,750, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.1% 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 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Melrose Quick Facts
How Melrose 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 | 536 | 447 | -16.6% |
| Median household income | $33,333 | $32,750 | -1.7% |
| Median home value | $78,600 | $78,500 | -0.1% |
How Melrose 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+)
Melrose Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Curry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis | 37,942 | $54,820 | 21.7% | $169,400 |
| Cannon AFB | 2,405 | $63,000 | 8.5% | N/A |
| Texico | 967 | $65,000 | 16.6% | $95,900 |
| Grady | 99 | $71,101 | 7.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Melrose
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costilla | 450 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 7.8% |
| Canova | 452 | N/A | N/A | 70.7% | 0.0% |
| Laguna | 459 | N/A | N/A | 24.1% | 28.7% |
| Monument | 432 | N/A | $261,400 | 0.0% | 2.5% |
| Tecolotito | 465 | N/A | N/A | 2.1% | 58.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 447, Melrose'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
Melrose is a small community located in New Mexico, within Curry County. The total population is 447. It ranks as the 269th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melrose is 45.6 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melrose is $32,750. This is 49% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 59% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.7%. This is 117% 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 13.3%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $78,500. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Melrose is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Melrose is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (59.3% vs 36.0%).
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 77.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melrose, 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 Melrose, New Mexico?
Melrose, New Mexico has a population of 447 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melrose, NM?
The median household income in Melrose is $32,750, which is 59% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melrose, NM?
The poverty rate in Melrose is 38.7%. This means approximately 173 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melrose, New Mexico?
Melrose's population is 59.3% White, 0.0% Black, 31.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melrose, NM?
The median home value in Melrose is $78,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Melrose, New Mexico?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Melrose hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.