Sunshine, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sunshine, New Mexico had a total population of 524, the 238th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $45,076, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sunshine Quick Facts
How Sunshine 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 | 465 | 524 | +12.7% |
| Median home value | $158,900 | $181,200 | +14.0% |
How Sunshine 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+)
Sunshine Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Luna County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deming | 15,221 | $34,165 | 30.9% | $127,400 |
| Keeler Farm | 1,376 | $43,750 | 50.4% | $143,800 |
| Columbus | 1,196 | $26,090 | 22.7% | $105,600 |
| La Hacienda | 640 | $30,541 | 51.7% | $113,900 |
| Ventura | 603 | $30,867 | 42.1% | $116,900 |
| Pecan Park | 575 | $103,310 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Pulpotio Bareas | 221 | $57,917 | 12.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sunshine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truchas | 528 | N/A | $315,800 | 14.6% | 8.3% |
| Placitas (Doña Ana County) | 516 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 90.5% |
| Seboyeta | 517 | $44,638 | N/A | 18.3% | 2.3% |
| Mesita | 514 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Seama | 538 | N/A | N/A | 0.3% | 71.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 524, Sunshine'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
Sunshine is a small community located in New Mexico, within Luna County. The total population is 524. It ranks as the 238th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sunshine is 58.5 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 17.0% 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 Sunshine is $45,076. This is 30% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 64% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Sunshine, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $181,200. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 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 Sunshine is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 39.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (56.9% vs 36.0%).
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 72.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sunshine, 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 Sunshine, New Mexico?
Sunshine, New Mexico has a population of 524 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sunshine, NM?
The median household income in Sunshine is $45,076, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sunshine, NM?
The poverty rate in Sunshine is 6.5%. This means approximately 34 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sunshine, New Mexico?
Sunshine's population is 56.9% White, 0.0% Black, 39.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sunshine, NM?
The median home value in Sunshine is $181,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Sunshine, New Mexico?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Sunshine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.