Tortugas, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tortugas, New Mexico had a total population of 381, the 285th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $31,554, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Tortugas Quick Facts
How Tortugas 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 | 642 | 381 | -40.7% |
| Median household income | $29,096 | $31,554 | +8.4% |
How Tortugas 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+)
Tortugas Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Doña Ana County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | 114,197 | $55,422 | 22.6% | $231,700 |
| Chaparral | 18,186 | $46,017 | 27.4% | $109,300 |
| Sunland Park | 17,463 | $62,814 | 22.4% | $215,200 |
| Anthony | 8,767 | $38,132 | 32.9% | $116,000 |
| Santa Teresa | 6,041 | $63,161 | 23.9% | $215,100 |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | 25.7% | $104,400 |
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | 30.2% | N/A |
| San Ysidro | 2,118 | $89,473 | 8.6% | $335,300 |
| Picacho Hills | 2,002 | $120,850 | 5.5% | $456,400 |
| Radium Springs | 1,908 | $43,836 | 15.4% | $136,100 |
Cities Similar to Tortugas
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glorieta | 385 | N/A | $438,900 | 55.9% | 3.9% |
| Gila | 366 | N/A | N/A | 15.6% | 30.3% |
| Reserve | 402 | N/A | $123,200 | 5.5% | 56.3% |
| Sheep Springs | 360 | $30,625 | $99,000 | 5.5% | 36.1% |
| Naschitti | 361 | $29,821 | $136,100 | 7.5% | 50.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 381, Tortugas'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
Tortugas is a small community located in New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 381. It ranks as the 285th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tortugas is 55.1 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tortugas is $31,554. This is 51% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Tortugas. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Tortugas, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $83,200. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Tortugas is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tortugas has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 99.5% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (99.5% vs 48.4%).
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tortugas, 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 Tortugas, New Mexico?
Tortugas, New Mexico has a population of 381 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tortugas, NM?
The median household income in Tortugas is $31,554, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tortugas, NM?
The ACS sample for Tortugas recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Tortugas, New Mexico?
Tortugas's population is 0.5% White, 0.0% Black, 99.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tortugas, NM?
The median home value in Tortugas is $83,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Tortugas, New Mexico?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Tortugas hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.