University Park, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, University Park, New Mexico had a total population of 2,782, the 66th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $30,156, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 63.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New Mexico.
- Unemployment rate of 14.0% is notably above the national average.
University Park Quick Facts
How University Park 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 | 2,699 | 2,782 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $25,433 | $30,156 | +18.6% |
How University Park 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+)
University Park 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 |
| 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 |
| Mesilla | 1,717 | $74,750 | 4.5% | $301,400 |
Cities Similar to University Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | $154,000 | 21.5% | 40.5% |
| Clayton | 2,753 | $34,500 | $110,500 | 13.8% | 20.5% |
| Ranchos de Taos | 2,536 | N/A | $349,700 | 45.8% | 10.2% |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | $104,400 | 3.7% | 25.7% |
| Jal | 2,364 | N/A | $97,600 | 19.0% | 32.0% |
Population Overview
University Park is a small community located in New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 2,782. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in University Park is 20.1 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. Only 4.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in University Park is $30,156. This is 53% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.2%. This is 70% 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 14.0%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in University Park was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in University Park is Hispanic or Latino, making up 48.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.1% vs 1.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.6%).
Education
63.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places University Park in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 19.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for University Park, 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 University Park, New Mexico?
University Park, New Mexico has a population of 2,782 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in University Park, NM?
The median household income in University Park is $30,156, which is 63% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in University Park, NM?
The poverty rate in University Park is 30.2%. This means approximately 101 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of University Park, New Mexico?
University Park's population is 40.6% White, 3.1% Black, 48.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in University Park, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for University Park — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is University Park, New Mexico?
63.6% of adults (25+) in University Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.