Rock Springs, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rock Springs, New Mexico had a total population of 1,013, the 163rd largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $97,155, which is 52% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Mexico.
- Only 6.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Rock Springs Quick Facts
How Rock Springs 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 | 1,166 | 1,013 | -13.1% |
| Median household income | $93,333 | $97,155 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $17,100 | $18,000 | +5.3% |
How Rock Springs 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+)
Rock Springs 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 |
| Navajo | 2,181 | $32,208 | 51.6% | N/A |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Rock Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isleta | 1,043 | N/A | $159,000 | 13.7% | 10.6% |
| Magdalena | 976 | N/A | $99,500 | 0.0% | 38.8% |
| Santa Ana Pueblo | 1,026 | $86,250 | $150,000 | 13.2% | 5.5% |
| Fort Sumner | 938 | N/A | N/A | 2.7% | 17.3% |
| El Rito | 1,102 | N/A | $332,300 | 13.4% | 54.4% |
Population Overview
Rock Springs is a small community located in New Mexico, within McKinley County. The total population is 1,013. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rock Springs is 43.6 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 12.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.1% 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 Rock Springs is $97,155. This is 52% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 20% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $18,000. Housing costs are 93% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.2x, Rock Springs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rock Springs is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
6.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rock Springs, 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 Rock Springs, New Mexico?
Rock Springs, New Mexico has a population of 1,013 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rock Springs, NM?
The median household income in Rock Springs is $97,155, which is 20% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rock Springs, NM?
The poverty rate in Rock Springs is 10.9%. This means approximately 110 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rock Springs, New Mexico?
Rock Springs's population is 0.0% White, 0.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rock Springs, NM?
The median home value in Rock Springs is $18,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.2x.
How educated is Rock Springs, New Mexico?
6.1% of adults (25+) in Rock Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.