Raton, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Raton, New Mexico had a total population of 6,026, the 39th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $52,641, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
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 (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Raton Quick Facts
How Raton 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 | 6,013 | 6,026 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $52,007 | $52,641 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $148,200 | $134,300 | -9.4% |
How Raton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Raton Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Colfax County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Fire | 1,111 | $107,554 | 18.0% | $546,800 |
| Springer | 1,017 | $50,345 | 14.9% | $87,000 |
| Cimarron | 701 | $41,324 | 5.4% | $126,600 |
| Eagle Nest | 451 | $57,692 | 13.3% | $301,200 |
| Maxwell | 331 | $31,667 | 10.9% | $79,300 |
Cities Similar to Raton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Teresa | 6,041 | $63,161 | $215,100 | 37.6% | 23.9% |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | $81,700 | 7.0% | 29.9% |
| Taos | 6,458 | $47,304 | $445,900 | 39.0% | 13.7% |
| Aztec | 6,150 | $41,977 | $175,000 | 15.7% | 25.9% |
| El Cerro Mission | 5,323 | $49,470 | $115,300 | 6.1% | 25.0% |
Population Overview
Raton is a small city located in New Mexico, within Colfax County. The total population is 6,026. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Raton is 44.8 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Raton is $52,641. This is 18% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 40% 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 1.8%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $134,300. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Raton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Raton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 59.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.2%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Raton, 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 Raton, New Mexico?
Raton, New Mexico has a population of 6,026 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Raton, NM?
The median household income in Raton is $52,641, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Raton, NM?
The poverty rate in Raton is 25.1%. This means approximately 1,453 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Raton, New Mexico?
Raton's population is 37.2% White, 0.4% Black, 59.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Raton, NM?
The median home value in Raton is $134,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Raton, New Mexico?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Raton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.