San Rafael, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Rafael, New Mexico had a total population of 1,039, the 158th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $83,423, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Mexico.
- Only 9.7% 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 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
San Rafael Quick Facts
How San Rafael 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 | 620 | 1,039 | +67.6% |
| Median household income | $65,966 | $83,423 | +26.5% |
| Median home value | $120,300 | $120,400 | +0.1% |
How San Rafael 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+)
San Rafael 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 |
| Paraje | 1,333 | $33,239 | 61.7% | N/A |
| Skyline-Ganipa | 1,226 | $56,992 | 14.5% | $83,900 |
| 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 San Rafael
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% |
| Santa Ana Pueblo | 1,026 | $86,250 | $150,000 | 13.2% | 5.5% |
| El Rito | 1,102 | N/A | $332,300 | 13.4% | 54.4% |
| Magdalena | 976 | N/A | $99,500 | 0.0% | 38.8% |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | $210,100 | 11.6% | 27.5% |
Population Overview
San Rafael is a small community located in New Mexico, within Cibola County. The total population is 1,039. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Rafael is 59.3 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Rafael is $83,423. This is 30% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.4%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 11.2%. This is 88% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $120,400. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, San Rafael is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 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 San Rafael is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.6% vs 36.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (22.0%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 72.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, New Mexico?
San Rafael, New Mexico has a population of 1,039 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Rafael, NM?
The median household income in San Rafael is $83,423, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Rafael, NM?
The poverty rate in San Rafael is 13.4%. This means approximately 139 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Rafael, New Mexico?
San Rafael's population is 64.6% White, 0.0% Black, 22.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Rafael, NM?
The median home value in San Rafael is $120,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is San Rafael, New Mexico?
9.7% of adults (25+) in San Rafael hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.