Paraje, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paraje, New Mexico had a total population of 1,333, the 129th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $33,239, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 61.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (61.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Paraje Quick Facts
How Paraje 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 | 1,405 | 1,333 | -5.1% |
| Median household income | $30,284 | $33,239 | +9.8% |
How Paraje 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+)
Paraje Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Cibola County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants | 8,951 | $47,183 | 34.1% | $136,500 |
| Milan | 2,327 | $36,133 | 32.2% | $75,500 |
| Skyline-Ganipa | 1,226 | $56,992 | 14.5% | $83,900 |
| San Rafael | 1,039 | $83,423 | 13.4% | $120,400 |
| Las Tusas | 999 | $58,627 | 62.2% | $161,200 |
| McCartys Village | 723 | $45,438 | 29.2% | N/A |
| Pinehill | 664 | $45,417 | 35.2% | N/A |
| San Mateo | 602 | $77,745 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Acomita Lake | 590 | $85,346 | 22.9% | N/A |
| Seama | 538 | N/A | 71.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Paraje
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Church Rock | 1,381 | $35,083 | $39,100 | 5.9% | 33.7% |
| Loving | 1,357 | $43,884 | $171,600 | 5.0% | 20.1% |
| Los Luceros | 1,136 | N/A | N/A | 7.5% | 3.4% |
| Keeler Farm | 1,376 | $43,750 | $143,800 | 10.1% | 50.4% |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | $210,100 | 11.6% | 27.5% |
Population Overview
Paraje is a small community located in New Mexico, within Cibola County. The total population is 1,333. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paraje is 40.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. With 41.2% of the population under 18, Paraje has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 15.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paraje is $33,239. This is 48% 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 61.7%. This is 246% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Paraje, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Paraje is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.4%) 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 (2.4%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
34.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paraje, 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 Paraje, New Mexico?
Paraje, New Mexico has a population of 1,333 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paraje, NM?
The median household income in Paraje is $33,239, which is 59% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paraje, NM?
The poverty rate in Paraje is 61.7%. This means approximately 791 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paraje, New Mexico?
Paraje's population is 1.4% White, 0.3% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paraje, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Paraje — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Paraje, New Mexico?
34.7% of adults (25+) in Paraje hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.