Taos, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Taos, New Mexico had a total population of 6,458, the 34th largest town in New Mexico, with a median household income of $47,304, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.4x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 10.6% is notably above the national average.
Taos Quick Facts
How Taos 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 | 6,468 | 6,458 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $46,579 | $47,304 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $432,700 | $445,900 | +3.1% |
How Taos 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Taos Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Taos County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranchos de Taos | 2,536 | N/A | 10.2% | $349,700 |
| Questa | 2,466 | $47,308 | 17.5% | $233,500 |
| Arroyo Seco | 2,112 | $62,348 | 9.0% | $603,500 |
| Taos Pueblo | 1,129 | $39,375 | 49.1% | $371,600 |
| Talpa | 955 | $49,167 | 13.2% | $387,300 |
| Peñasco | 546 | $45,833 | 18.9% | $229,300 |
| Rio Lucio | 485 | $45,000 | 6.2% | $180,100 |
| Costilla | 450 | N/A | 7.8% | N/A |
| Red River | 450 | $22,384 | 8.9% | $427,500 |
| Chamisal | 300 | $37,375 | 19.9% | $221,800 |
Cities Similar to Taos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztec | 6,150 | $41,977 | $175,000 | 15.7% | 25.9% |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | $81,700 | 7.0% | 29.9% |
| Raton | 6,026 | $52,641 | $134,300 | 21.3% | 25.1% |
| Bloomfield | 7,395 | $48,472 | $161,200 | 14.9% | 25.7% |
| Belen | 7,450 | $42,627 | $166,100 | 13.6% | 31.2% |
Population Overview
Taos is a small city located in New Mexico, within Taos County. The total population is 6,458. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Taos is 53.7 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 11.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.7% 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 Taos is $47,304. This is 26% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 10.6%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $445,900. Housing costs are 80% higher than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 59.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Taos is Hispanic or Latino, making up 47.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 45.4%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
39.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 89.2%. Notably, 19.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Taos, 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 Taos, New Mexico?
Taos, New Mexico has a population of 6,458 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Taos, NM?
The median household income in Taos is $47,304, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Taos, NM?
The poverty rate in Taos is 13.7%. This means approximately 857 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Taos, New Mexico?
Taos's population is 45.4% White, 0.3% Black, 47.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Taos, NM?
The median home value in Taos is $445,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.4x.
How educated is Taos, New Mexico?
39.0% of adults (25+) in Taos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.