Thoreau, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thoreau, New Mexico had a total population of 1,973, the 97th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $45,469, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Thoreau Quick Facts
How Thoreau 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 | 1,795 | 1,973 | +9.9% |
| Median household income | $43,953 | $45,469 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $52,900 | $95,200 | +80.0% |
How Thoreau 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+)
Thoreau Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in McKinley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup | 21,023 | $58,303 | 26.8% | $165,200 |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | 29.9% | $81,700 |
| Crownpoint | 2,882 | $51,011 | 31.5% | $61,100 |
| Navajo | 2,181 | $32,208 | 51.6% | N/A |
| Church Rock | 1,381 | $35,083 | 33.7% | $39,100 |
| Iyanbito | 1,233 | $52,500 | 32.2% | $49,300 |
| Gamerco | 1,176 | $48,977 | 52.0% | $99,600 |
| Black Rock | 1,125 | $46,000 | 38.9% | $101,100 |
| Prewitt | 1,027 | $19,074 | 54.4% | N/A |
| Rock Springs | 1,013 | $97,155 | 10.9% | $18,000 |
Cities Similar to Thoreau
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radium Springs | 1,908 | $43,836 | $136,100 | 23.7% | 15.4% |
| Angustura | 1,997 | $53,750 | $170,400 | 8.9% | 26.3% |
| La Luz | 1,797 | $46,655 | $68,100 | 16.4% | 15.0% |
| McIntosh | 1,943 | $56,566 | $168,500 | 8.9% | 28.7% |
| Boles Acres | 1,848 | $52,788 | N/A | 27.2% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Thoreau is a small community located in New Mexico, within McKinley County. The total population is 1,973. It ranks as the 97th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thoreau is 34.8 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thoreau is $45,469. This is 29% 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 27.5%. This is 54% 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 10.8%. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $95,200. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Thoreau is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thoreau is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 48.4%.
Education
4.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 86% 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 80.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thoreau, 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 Thoreau, New Mexico?
Thoreau, New Mexico has a population of 1,973 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thoreau, NM?
The median household income in Thoreau is $45,469, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thoreau, NM?
The poverty rate in Thoreau is 27.5%. This means approximately 542 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thoreau, New Mexico?
Thoreau's population is 5.2% White, 0.0% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thoreau, NM?
The median home value in Thoreau is $95,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Thoreau, New Mexico?
4.2% of adults (25+) in Thoreau hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.