Census-designated place · New Mexico
Chaparral, New Mexico
Chaparral, census-designated place, mostly in Otero County (59.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Chaparral had 18,186 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±1,172). GEOID 3514250.
Residents, 2020-2024
18,186
±1,172 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 16,551
Median household income
$46,017
±$7,570 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$109,300
±$12,432 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$853
±$87 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
Where is Chaparral and what county is it in?
Chaparral is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, mostly in Otero County (59.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. It covers 59.1 square miles of land, 280 residents per square mile in 2020.
Chaparral is in the Alamogordo, NM micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Otero County | 9,898 | 59.8% |
| Doña Ana County | 6,653 | 40.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Chaparral, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Chaparral's population at 18,186 (±1,172). The 2020 Census counted 16,551 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Chaparral is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Chaparral | Otero County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,186 ±1,172 | 68,816 | +3,749 |
| Households | 5,060 ±431 | 24,480 | +729 |
| Average household size | 3.59 ±0.30 | 2.67 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,940 ±482 | 32,645 | +818 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chaparral?
The median resident of Chaparral is 31.6 years old; 26.7% are under 18 and 13.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 92.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 5.8%. 30.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chaparral | Otero County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.6 ±1.6 | 36.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.7% ±3.1 pts | 21.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.2% ±2.2 pts | 17.5% | – |
| Male | 48.3% ±2.0 pts | 52.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 92.0% ±2.0 pts | 39.6% | +6.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±1.5 pts | 45.5% | −6.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 1.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 30.6% ±4.2 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 72.9% ±4.2 pts | 24.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6% ±2.2 pts | 14.6% | – |
| With a disability | 17.7% ±3.2 pts | 19.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 18.5% ±4.2 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 68.5% ±4.0 pts | 87.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 10.5% ±3.0 pts | 22.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.2% ±1.1 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.7% ±3.0 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.7% ±2.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Chaparral earn?
Half of Chaparral's 5,060 households earn less than $46,017 a year (±$7,570), against $55,876 in Otero County and $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 the median was $30,355 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $15,662 after inflation. 27.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chaparral | Otero County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,017 ±$7,570 | $55,876 | +$15,662 |
| Mean household income | $63,207 ±$7,629 | $74,572 | – |
| Per capita income | $20,268 ±$2,244 | $29,760 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 27.4% ±5.5 pts | 19.3% | −15.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.6% ±10.3 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 36.7% ±6.5 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.9% ±2.1 pts | 95.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0% ±3.8 pts | 90.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Chaparral?
Owners occupy 69.4% of Chaparral's occupied homes and renters 30.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $109,300 by its owner (±$12,432). The median renter pays $853 a month including utilities, and 30.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chaparral | Otero County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $109,300 ±$12,432 | $162,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $853 ±$87 | $962 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.1% ±17.9 pts | 37.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,104 ±$101 | $1,271 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.4% ±6.9 pts | 67.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.6% ±6.9 pts | 33.0% | – |
| Housing units | 5,940 ±482 | 32,645 | +818 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5% ±4.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 28.4% ±5.3 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 66.9% ±5.6 pts | 29.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 12.5% ±3.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.9% ±2.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Chaparral work and get to work?
83.9% of Chaparral's workers drive alone and 4.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Chaparral | Otero County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.4% ±4.3 pts | 56.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% ±3.1 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.9% ±4.9 pts | 78.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5% ±3.8 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.5% ±1.9 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.9 min ±2.2 | 22.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Chaparral?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Chaparral, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $42,241 (Tract 9.03) to $50,552 (Tract 18.09).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9.03Otero County | 7,493 | $42,241 |
| Tract 18.10Doña Ana County | 5,137 | $50,380 |
| Tract 18.09Doña Ana County | 2,003 | $50,552 |
| Tract 9.04Otero County | 6,280 | $54,756 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Chaparral) · Census block assignment files
How does Chaparral compare with other places in New Mexico?
Chaparral ranks 105th of 143 places in New Mexico with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 14th | 153 |
| Residents per square mile | 104th | 155 |
| Median household income | 105th | 143 |
| Per capita income | 130th | 154 |
| Median home value | 111th | 138 |
| Median gross rent | 73rd | 114 |
| Poverty rate | 35th | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 116th | 128 |
| Median age | 127th | 154 |
| Owner-occupied share | 104th | 150 |
| Work from home | 74th | 78 |
| Travel time to work | 34th | 150 |
Chaparral's figures with every place in New Mexico (CSV)
Every place in New Mexico, sortable · Compare Chaparral with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Chaparral?
13 of the 57 figures for Chaparral on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Chaparral are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.