Navajo, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Navajo, New Mexico had a total population of 2,181, the 86th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $32,208, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 51.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (51.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 21.1% is notably above the national average.
Navajo Quick Facts
How Navajo 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 | 2,133 | 2,181 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $28,917 | $32,208 | +11.4% |
How Navajo 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+)
Navajo Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in McKinley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup | 21,023 | $58,303 | 26.8% | $165,200 |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | 29.9% | $81,700 |
| Crownpoint | 2,882 | $51,011 | 31.5% | $61,100 |
| Thoreau | 1,973 | $45,469 | 27.5% | $95,200 |
| Church Rock | 1,381 | $35,083 | 33.7% | $39,100 |
| Iyanbito | 1,233 | $52,500 | 32.2% | $49,300 |
| Gamerco | 1,176 | $48,977 | 52.0% | $99,600 |
| Black Rock | 1,125 | $46,000 | 38.9% | $101,100 |
| Prewitt | 1,027 | $19,074 | 54.4% | N/A |
| Rock Springs | 1,013 | $97,155 | 10.9% | $18,000 |
Cities Similar to Navajo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moriarty | 2,102 | $31,650 | $108,500 | 5.3% | 36.7% |
| Jal | 2,364 | N/A | $97,600 | 19.0% | 32.0% |
| Bayard | 2,057 | $34,477 | $117,700 | 26.4% | 34.6% |
| Milan | 2,327 | $36,133 | $75,500 | 8.3% | 32.2% |
| Lordsburg | 2,057 | $36,607 | $86,200 | 8.3% | 23.5% |
Population Overview
Navajo is a small community located in New Mexico, within McKinley County. The total population is 2,181. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Navajo is 23.6 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 43.0% of the population under 18, Navajo has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Navajo is $32,208. This is 50% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 51.6%. This is 189% 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 21.1%. This is 254% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. 4.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 94% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Navajo is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 0.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 48.4%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
10.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Navajo, 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 Navajo, New Mexico?
Navajo, New Mexico has a population of 2,181 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Navajo, NM?
The median household income in Navajo is $32,208, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Navajo, NM?
The poverty rate in Navajo is 51.6%. This means approximately 1,126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Navajo, New Mexico?
Navajo's population is 0.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Navajo, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Navajo — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Navajo, New Mexico?
10.4% of adults (25+) in Navajo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.