White Sands, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, White Sands, New Mexico had a total population of 1,609, the 109th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $89,565, which is 40% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Mexico.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.9% — among the lowest in New Mexico.
White Sands Quick Facts
How White Sands 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 | 1,577 | 1,609 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $87,059 | $89,565 | +2.9% |
How White Sands 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+)
White Sands 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 White Sands
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Rancho Estates | 1,571 | $91,635 | $153,500 | 16.0% | 19.6% |
| Tome | 1,723 | $85,448 | $269,300 | 11.5% | 12.2% |
| Sandia Knolls | 1,445 | $91,827 | $293,900 | 46.7% | 4.5% |
| Ponderosa Pine | 1,442 | $87,361 | $313,700 | 36.4% | 11.4% |
| La Villita | 1,534 | $104,162 | $253,500 | 23.1% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
White Sands is a small community located in New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 1,609. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in White Sands is 22.5 years. This is 43% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in White Sands is $89,565. This is 40% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.9%. This is 89% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in White Sands, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in White Sands 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 White Sands is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.6% vs 36.0%). The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.0% vs 1.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (11.3%) is well below the state average of 48.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.7% vs 1.6%).
Education
45.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 95.4%. Notably, 24.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for White Sands, 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 White Sands, New Mexico?
White Sands, New Mexico has a population of 1,609 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in White Sands, NM?
The median household income in White Sands is $89,565, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in White Sands, NM?
The poverty rate in White Sands is 1.9%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of White Sands, New Mexico?
White Sands's population is 64.6% White, 3.0% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in White Sands, NM?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for White Sands — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is White Sands, New Mexico?
45.3% of adults (25+) in White Sands hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.