Ponderosa, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ponderosa, New Mexico had a total population of 289, the 316th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $60,313, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Ponderosa Quick Facts
How Ponderosa 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 | 252 | 289 | +14.7% |
| Median household income | $49,583 | $60,313 | +21.6% |
How Ponderosa 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+)
Ponderosa Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Sandoval County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernalillo | 9,086 | $63,880 | 15.9% | $255,500 |
| Corrales | 8,555 | $102,307 | 7.0% | $571,500 |
| Placitas (Sandoval County) | 4,223 | $109,750 | 3.2% | $562,100 |
| Santo Domingo Pueblo | 2,370 | $57,375 | 23.1% | $156,400 |
| Jemez Pueblo | 2,199 | $55,551 | 31.4% | $169,000 |
| Rio Rancho Estates | 1,571 | $91,635 | 19.6% | $153,500 |
| Algodones | 1,479 | $67,994 | 18.1% | $234,800 |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | 27.5% | $210,100 |
| Santa Ana Pueblo | 1,026 | $86,250 | 5.5% | $150,000 |
| Zia Pueblo | 770 | $56,518 | 5.8% | $163,600 |
Cities Similar to Ponderosa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 292 | N/A | $488,200 | 82.9% | 44.5% |
| South Acomita Village | 294 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Villanueva | 283 | N/A | N/A | 31.7% | 0.0% |
| Broadview | 296 | N/A | N/A | 30.4% | 0.0% |
| Conchas Dam | 282 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 289, Ponderosa'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
Ponderosa is a small community located in New Mexico, within Sandoval County. The total population is 289. It ranks as the 316th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ponderosa is 57.1 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 7.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ponderosa is $60,313. This is 6% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.8%. This is 117% 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 Ponderosa, 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
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ponderosa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 46.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.0%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ponderosa, 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.
Free data download: Get all New Mexico city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ponderosa, New Mexico?
Ponderosa, New Mexico has a population of 289 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ponderosa, NM?
The median household income in Ponderosa is $60,313, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ponderosa, NM?
The poverty rate in Ponderosa is 38.8%. This means approximately 112 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ponderosa, New Mexico?
Ponderosa's population is 46.0% White, 0.0% Black, 37.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ponderosa, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Ponderosa — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Ponderosa, New Mexico?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Ponderosa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.