Mescalero CDP, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Mescalero CDP is a small community located in New Mexico. The total population is 814. It ranks as the 180th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mescalero CDP is 44.1 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.2 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mescalero CDP is $28,167. This is 55% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 64% lower. The poverty rate stands at 40.3%. This is 123% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. 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 8.8%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $48,300. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Mescalero CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Mescalero CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 5.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 36.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 48.1%.

Education

10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 70.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Mescalero CDP, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.