Vado, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vado, New Mexico had a total population of 2,895, the 64th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $37,411, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Vado Quick Facts
How Vado 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 | 3,185 | 2,895 | -9.1% |
| Median household income | $29,844 | $37,411 | +25.4% |
| Median home value | $108,300 | $104,400 | -3.6% |
How Vado 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+)
Vado 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 |
| 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 |
| Mesilla | 1,717 | $74,750 | 4.5% | $301,400 |
Cities Similar to Vado
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 2,753 | $34,500 | $110,500 | 13.8% | 20.5% |
| Flora Vista | 2,770 | $44,352 | $219,300 | 10.8% | 20.2% |
| Ranchos de Taos | 2,536 | N/A | $349,700 | 45.8% | 10.2% |
| Dulce | 3,218 | $39,773 | $53,300 | 11.4% | 22.1% |
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | N/A | 63.6% | 30.2% |
Population Overview
Vado is a small community located in New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 2,895. It ranks as the 64th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vado is 28.1 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 32.2% of the population under 18, Vado has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vado is $37,411. This is 42% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 44% 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 8.2%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $104,400. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Vado is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Vado has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 93.9% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 5.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.7%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (93.9% vs 48.4%).
Education
3.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 88% 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 47.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vado, 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 Vado, New Mexico?
Vado, New Mexico has a population of 2,895 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vado, NM?
The median household income in Vado is $37,411, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vado, NM?
The poverty rate in Vado is 25.7%. This means approximately 743 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vado, New Mexico?
Vado's population is 5.7% White, 0.4% Black, 93.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vado, NM?
The median home value in Vado is $104,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Vado, New Mexico?
3.7% of adults (25+) in Vado hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.