Sheep Springs, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sheep Springs, New Mexico had a total population of 360, the 292nd largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $30,625, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 20.6% is notably above the national average.
Sheep Springs Quick Facts
How Sheep 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 | 369 | 360 | -2.4% |
| Median household income | $28,750 | $30,625 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $97,500 | $99,000 | +1.5% |
How Sheep 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+)
Sheep Springs Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in San Juan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 46,314 | $68,784 | 17.4% | $233,000 |
| Shiprock | 7,610 | $35,900 | 34.6% | $104,400 |
| Bloomfield | 7,395 | $48,472 | 25.7% | $161,200 |
| Aztec | 6,150 | $41,977 | 25.9% | $175,000 |
| Crouch Mesa | 4,812 | $63,750 | 21.9% | $89,200 |
| Lee Acres | 4,272 | $44,583 | 30.0% | $187,400 |
| Flora Vista | 2,770 | $44,352 | 20.2% | $219,300 |
| Center Point | 2,286 | $51,358 | 11.7% | $193,000 |
| West Hammond | 2,236 | $48,929 | 11.7% | $209,300 |
| La Plata | 2,233 | $57,071 | 35.7% | $210,000 |
Cities Similar to Sheep Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naschitti | 361 | $29,821 | $136,100 | 7.5% | 50.4% |
| Gila | 366 | N/A | N/A | 15.6% | 30.3% |
| Glorieta | 385 | N/A | $438,900 | 55.9% | 3.9% |
| Tortugas | 381 | $31,554 | $83,200 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mount Taylor | 335 | N/A | N/A | 18.6% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 360, Sheep Springs'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
Sheep Springs is a small community located in New Mexico, within San Juan County. The total population is 360. It ranks as the 292nd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sheep Springs is 28.7 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 31.9% of the population under 18, Sheep Springs has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sheep Springs is $30,625. This is 52% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 62% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.1%. This is 102% 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 20.6%. This is 246% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $99,000. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sheep Springs is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
5.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% 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 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sheep 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 Sheep Springs, New Mexico?
Sheep Springs, New Mexico has a population of 360 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sheep Springs, NM?
The median household income in Sheep Springs is $30,625, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sheep Springs, NM?
The poverty rate in Sheep Springs is 36.1%. This means approximately 130 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sheep Springs, New Mexico?
Sheep Springs's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sheep Springs, NM?
The median home value in Sheep Springs is $99,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Sheep Springs, New Mexico?
5.5% of adults (25+) in Sheep Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.