Mountainair, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mountainair, New Mexico had a total population of 1,178, the 143rd largest town in New Mexico, with a median household income of $43,021, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Mountainair Quick Facts
How Mountainair 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 | 1,308 | 1,178 | -9.9% |
| Median household income | $41,678 | $43,021 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $97,000 | $95,300 | -1.8% |
How Mountainair 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+)
Mountainair Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Torrance County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moriarty | 2,102 | $31,650 | 36.7% | $108,500 |
| McIntosh | 1,943 | $56,566 | 28.7% | $168,500 |
| Estancia | 1,432 | $53,846 | 22.6% | $99,000 |
| Indian Hills | 622 | $42,222 | 21.2% | $143,800 |
| Willard | 248 | $63,125 | 6.9% | $98,500 |
| Tajique | 130 | N/A | 13.9% | N/A |
| Torreon (Torrance County) | 125 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Punta de Agua | 46 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Encino | 31 | N/A | 3.2% | N/A |
| Deer Canyon | 29 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Mountainair
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Luceros | 1,136 | N/A | N/A | 7.5% | 3.4% |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | $210,100 | 11.6% | 27.5% |
| Dexter | 1,128 | $43,846 | $97,500 | 12.4% | 41.3% |
| Ohkay Owingeh | 1,194 | $47,067 | N/A | 21.6% | 23.6% |
| Gamerco | 1,176 | $48,977 | $99,600 | 6.7% | 52.0% |
Population Overview
Mountainair is a small community located in New Mexico, within Torrance County. The total population is 1,178. It ranks as the 143rd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mountainair is 33.4 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 34.0% of the population under 18, Mountainair has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mountainair is $43,021. This is 33% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 24% 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 10.3%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $95,300. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Mountainair is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mountainair is Hispanic or Latino, making up 56.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.8% vs 1.8%).
Education
16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 76.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mountainair, 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 Mountainair, New Mexico?
Mountainair, New Mexico has a population of 1,178 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mountainair, NM?
The median household income in Mountainair is $43,021, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mountainair, NM?
The poverty rate in Mountainair is 22.1%. This means approximately 255 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mountainair, New Mexico?
Mountainair's population is 30.5% White, 8.8% Black, 56.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mountainair, NM?
The median home value in Mountainair is $95,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Mountainair, New Mexico?
16.8% of adults (25+) in Mountainair hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.