City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

San Rafael, NM

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for San Rafael - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

620
Residents
$65,966
Median income
$120,300
Median home
$993
Median rent (state)

San Rafael - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, San Rafael places in the 44th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

44th
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: San Rafael, NM

San Rafael is a small town in New Mexico, home to 620 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in San Rafael brings in $65,966 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.4%. Home values in San Rafael run a median of $120,300, and the median resident age is 59.7 years. Educational attainment runs 15.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 13.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 1 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Mexico at 92.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $993 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Mexico's average monthly utility costs around $167 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 58.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

620 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$65,966 /yr

Poverty 11.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does San Rafael compare to other US cities?

Where San Rafael sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares San Rafael against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New Mexico only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New Mexico-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places San Rafael toward the bottom of New Mexico's cities

Among the 409 New Mexico cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, San Rafael ranks #335 - the 13th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares San Rafael only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#118 of 324
64th percentile in New Mexico
Median Gross Rent
#335 of 409
13th percentile in New Mexico
Median Home Value
#227 of 324
30th percentile in New Mexico
Poverty Rate
#212 of 408
48th percentile in New Mexico
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#218 of 409
46th percentile in New Mexico

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New Mexico only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

44thIncome percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How San Rafael's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$120,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 83% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. San Rafael $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - San Rafael, NM San Rafael, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not San Rafael, NM-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution San Rafael, NM median $65,966/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
San Rafael, NM's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for San Rafael, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 13.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
620
Median Income
$65,966
Median Home Value
$120,300
Median Age
59.7
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Labor force participation
13.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.7%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
0.0%
Carpool
0.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
100.0%

Based on 69 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Mexico - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$167
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Mexico state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Mexico state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county San Rafael sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$993/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
58.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Happy Valley
616 people
Rio Lucio
625 people
Peñasco
613 people
Paa-Ko
612 people
Sedillo
610 people
White Cliffs
610 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to San Rafael's 620 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lizton, IN
620 people
Lecompte, LA
620 people
Eagle Bend, MN
620 people
Elgin, NE
620 people
Aurora, NC
620 people
Lamar, PA
620 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to San Rafael's $65,966 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wood River, IL
$65,960 median income
Caledonia, OH
$65,972 median income
Lone Oak, TX
$65,972 median income
Ahwahnee, CA
$65,980 median income
Centreville, MI
$65,952 median income
Ness City, KS
$65,982 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - San Rafael, NM Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition San Rafael, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.2% 12.4% 19.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 30.5% White 68.2% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 12.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 19.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How San Rafael compares to nearby New Mexico cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
San Rafael (this city) 620 $65,966
Happy Valley 616 N/A
Rio Lucio 625 $43,750
Peñasco 613 $38,750
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about San Rafael, NM?

What is the population of San Rafael, NM? +

620 people live in San Rafael, NM according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in San Rafael, NM? +

San Rafael households earn a median of $65,966 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in San Rafael? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for San Rafael; the closest available measure is the New Mexico state average, a cost of living index of 92.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Mexico vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in San Rafael, NM? +

The median home value in San Rafael is $120,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.