City · New Mexico
Raton, New Mexico
Raton, city, in Colfax County, New Mexico. Raton had 5,952 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,041 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,026 (±42). GEOID 3562060.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,952
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,041 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,026 ±42
Median household income
$52,641
±$6,237 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$134,300
±$22,811 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$741
±$50 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
Where is Raton and what county is it in?
Raton is a city in Colfax County, New Mexico. It covers 8.0 square miles of land, 759 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Raton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,952 people lived in Raton on July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020 Census counted 6,041 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,026 (±42).
| Measure | Raton | Colfax County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,026 ±42 | 12,322 | no clear change |
| Households | 2,683 ±200 | 5,368 | −407 |
| Average household size | 2.17 ±0.16 | 2.17 | +0.25 |
| Housing units | 3,375 ±182 | 9,607 | −310 |
Raton's population since 2000
From 7,282 in 2000 to 5,952 in 2025: down 18.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Raton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
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 Raton?
The median resident of Raton is 44.8 years old; 18.5% are under 18 and 24.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 59.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 37.2%. 3.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Raton | Colfax County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8 ±4.4 | 49.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.5% ±3.0 pts | 17.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.5% ±3.3 pts | 28.8% | – |
| Male | 47.9% ±3.1 pts | 50.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 59.0% ±3.3 pts | 47.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 37.2% ±3.5 pts | 47.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±1.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±1.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0% ±1.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.1% ±4.6 pts | 19.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1% ±2.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 26.5% ±4.9 pts | 26.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.5% ±4.9 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.0% ±4.0 pts | 90.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.3% ±4.3 pts | 25.4% | +7.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.6% ±3.2 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.1% ±5.2 pts | 85.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0% ±1.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Raton earn?
Half of Raton's 2,683 households earn less than $52,641 a year (±$6,237), against $53,554 in Colfax County and $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 the median was $38,193 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $14,448 after inflation. 25.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Raton | Colfax County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,641 ±$6,237 | $53,554 | +$14,448 |
| Mean household income | $62,260 ±$8,630 | $70,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,254 ±$3,920 | $32,110 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 25.1% ±6.2 pts | 18.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 52.1% ±16.5 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 30.3% ±5.0 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.6% ±4.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.2% ±5.7 pts | 81.3% | – |
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 Raton?
Owners occupy 67.3% of Raton's occupied homes and renters 32.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $134,300 by its owner (±$22,811). The median renter pays $741 a month including utilities, and 33.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Raton | Colfax County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $134,300 ±$22,811 | $167,200 | +$31,291 |
| Median gross rent | $741 ±$50 | $729 | −$149 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.5% ±11.5 pts | 34.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,145 ±$123 | $1,274 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.3% ±6.2 pts | 71.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 32.7% ±6.2 pts | 28.2% | – |
| Housing units | 3,375 ±182 | 9,607 | −310 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9% ±1.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.9% ±6.3 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.7% ±5.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.6% ±1.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.5% ±4.6 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.5% ±5.3 pts | 6.6% | – |
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 Raton work and get to work?
73.8% of Raton's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 19.3 minutes.
| Measure | Raton | Colfax County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.1% ±5.6 pts | 48.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8% ±2.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.8% ±8.9 pts | 69.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 20.9% ±8.1 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.5% ±1.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.7% ±2.3 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.3 min ±4.2 | 19.9 min | +6.2 min |
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 Raton?
No census tract lies mostly in Raton; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9505Colfax County | 4,523 | $57,500 |
| Tract 9506Colfax County | 2,605 | $48,947 |
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 Raton) · Census block assignment files
How does Raton compare with other places in New Mexico?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Raton is the 4,436th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 32nd-most populous of 105 in New Mexico.
Raton ranks 83rd of 143 places in New Mexico with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 32nd | 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 43rd | 61 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th | 155 |
| Median household income | 83rd | 143 |
| Per capita income | 78th | 154 |
| Median home value | 100th | 138 |
| Median gross rent | 87th | 114 |
| Poverty rate | 44th | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 71st | 128 |
| Median age | 55th | 154 |
| Owner-occupied share | 111th | 150 |
| Travel time to work | 106th | 150 |
Raton's figures with every place in New Mexico (CSV)
Every place in New Mexico, sortable · Compare Raton 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 Raton?
13 of the 57 figures for Raton 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 Raton 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' public schools in Raton.