Peñasco, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Peñasco, New Mexico had a total population of 546, the 233rd largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $45,833, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Peñasco Quick Facts
How Peñasco 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 | 613 | 546 | -10.9% |
| Median household income | $38,750 | $45,833 | +18.3% |
| Median home value | $219,600 | $229,300 | +4.4% |
How Peñasco 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+)
Peñasco Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Taos County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos | 6,458 | $47,304 | 13.7% | $445,900 |
| Ranchos de Taos | 2,536 | N/A | 10.2% | $349,700 |
| Questa | 2,466 | $47,308 | 17.5% | $233,500 |
| Arroyo Seco | 2,112 | $62,348 | 9.0% | $603,500 |
| Taos Pueblo | 1,129 | $39,375 | 49.1% | $371,600 |
| Talpa | 955 | $49,167 | 13.2% | $387,300 |
| Rio Lucio | 485 | $45,000 | 6.2% | $180,100 |
| Costilla | 450 | N/A | 7.8% | N/A |
| Red River | 450 | $22,384 | 8.9% | $427,500 |
| Chamisal | 300 | $37,375 | 19.9% | $221,800 |
Cities Similar to Peñasco
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seama | 538 | N/A | N/A | 0.3% | 71.5% |
| Midway | 541 | $44,258 | $178,400 | 11.8% | 20.7% |
| Truchas | 528 | N/A | $315,800 | 14.6% | 8.3% |
| Wagon Mound | 557 | $43,672 | N/A | 34.0% | 14.2% |
| Sunshine | 524 | $45,076 | $181,200 | 19.8% | 6.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 546, Peñasco'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
Peñasco is a small community located in New Mexico, within Taos County. The total population is 546. It ranks as the 233rd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Peñasco is 43.8 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 13.4% 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 Peñasco is $45,833. This is 28% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.9%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $229,300. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 71.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Peñasco has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 86.3% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 12.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.6%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (86.3% vs 48.4%).
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Peñasco, 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 Peñasco, New Mexico?
Peñasco, New Mexico has a population of 546 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Peñasco, NM?
The median household income in Peñasco is $45,833, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Peñasco, NM?
The poverty rate in Peñasco is 18.9%. This means approximately 103 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Peñasco, New Mexico?
Peñasco's population is 12.6% White, 0.0% Black, 86.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Peñasco, NM?
The median home value in Peñasco is $229,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Peñasco, New Mexico?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Peñasco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.