Sandia Heights, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sandia Heights, New Mexico had a total population of 3,160, the 60th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $143,646, which is 124% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 124% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Mexico.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in New Mexico.
- 72.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New Mexico.
Sandia Heights Quick Facts
How Sandia Heights 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 | 3,083 | 3,160 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $151,538 | $143,646 | -5.2% |
| Median home value | $623,500 | $670,100 | +7.5% |
How Sandia Heights 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+)
Sandia Heights Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Bernalillo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 562,218 | $68,317 | 15.5% | $291,500 |
| Rio Rancho | 108,515 | $89,596 | 7.4% | $310,200 |
| South Valley | 37,120 | $58,224 | 18.5% | $224,300 |
| North Valley | 10,455 | $61,498 | 17.6% | $302,700 |
| Edgewood | 6,124 | $84,761 | 8.3% | $306,400 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 5,857 | $72,992 | 8.8% | $492,400 |
| Paradise Hills | 4,591 | $73,295 | 11.1% | $254,600 |
| Kirtland AFB | 3,413 | $84,884 | 12.9% | N/A |
| Sandia Knolls | 1,445 | $91,827 | 4.5% | $293,900 |
| Ponderosa Pine | 1,442 | $87,361 | 11.4% | $313,700 |
Cities Similar to Sandia Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranchos de Taos | 2,536 | N/A | $349,700 | 45.8% | 10.2% |
| El Cerro | 2,923 | $106,136 | $311,500 | 13.6% | 5.9% |
| Jal | 2,364 | N/A | $97,600 | 19.0% | 32.0% |
| Kirtland AFB | 3,413 | $84,884 | N/A | 51.2% | 12.9% |
| La Cienega | 3,543 | $85,250 | $517,100 | 33.6% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Sandia Heights is a small community located in New Mexico, within Bernalillo County. The total population is 3,160. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sandia Heights is 63.3 years. This is 61% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 15.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 23.7% 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 Sandia Heights is $143,646. This is 124% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 78% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 74% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $670,100. Housing costs are 170% higher than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 94.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sandia Heights is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (73.5% vs 36.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (13.2%) is well below the state average of 48.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.9% vs 1.6%).
Education
72.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Sandia Heights in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 134% higher 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 97.3%. Notably, 44.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sandia Heights, 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 Sandia Heights, New Mexico?
Sandia Heights, New Mexico has a population of 3,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sandia Heights, NM?
The median household income in Sandia Heights is $143,646, which is 78% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sandia Heights, NM?
The poverty rate in Sandia Heights is 4.7%. This means approximately 148 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sandia Heights, New Mexico?
Sandia Heights's population is 73.5% White, 0.0% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sandia Heights, NM?
The median home value in Sandia Heights is $670,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Sandia Heights, New Mexico?
72.5% of adults (25+) in Sandia Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 44.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.