Sunland Park city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Sunland Park city is a small city located in New Mexico. The total population is 17,085. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sunland Park city is 31.9 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.2 years. With 28.8% of the population under 18, Sunland Park city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sunland Park city is $52,147. This is 16% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. 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 3.5%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $194,900. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $232,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Sunland Park city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 5.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 36.5%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (93.8% vs 48.1%).

Education

22.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 76.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Sunland Park city, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.