South Valley, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Valley, New Mexico had a total population of 37,120, the 9th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $58,224, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
South Valley Quick Facts
How South Valley 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 | 36,605 | 37,120 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $51,062 | $58,224 | +14.0% |
| Median home value | $205,200 | $224,300 | +9.3% |
How South Valley 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+)
South Valley 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 |
| 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 Heights | 3,160 | $143,646 | 4.7% | $670,100 |
| Sandia Knolls | 1,445 | $91,827 | 4.5% | $293,900 |
| Ponderosa Pine | 1,442 | $87,361 | 11.4% | $313,700 |
Cities Similar to South Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis | 37,942 | $54,820 | $169,400 | 23.5% | 21.7% |
| Hobbs | 40,252 | $64,021 | $191,300 | 17.3% | 19.7% |
| Alamogordo | 31,307 | $55,952 | $172,900 | 25.5% | 16.6% |
| Carlsbad | 31,746 | $72,306 | $200,000 | 19.2% | 13.8% |
| Farmington | 46,314 | $68,784 | $233,000 | 26.2% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
South Valley is a mid-sized community located in New Mexico, within Bernalillo County. The total population is 37,120. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Valley is 41.7 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Valley is $58,224. This is 9% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $224,300. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Valley is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.8%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.3% vs 48.4%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 79.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Valley, 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 South Valley, New Mexico?
South Valley, New Mexico has a population of 37,120 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Valley, NM?
The median household income in South Valley is $58,224, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Valley, NM?
The poverty rate in South Valley is 18.5%. This means approximately 6,804 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Valley, New Mexico?
South Valley's population is 13.8% White, 0.9% Black, 82.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Valley, NM?
The median home value in South Valley is $224,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is South Valley, New Mexico?
15.1% of adults (25+) in South Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.