City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Sunland Park, NM

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

17,085
Residents
$52,147
Median income
$194,900
Median home
$1,042
Median rent (state)

Sunland Park - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Sunland Park lands in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 68th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
41st
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
68th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Sunland Park, NM

17,085 people live in Sunland Park, New Mexico - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $52,147 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.3%. Typical homes in Sunland Park are valued around $194,900, and the median resident age is 31.9 years. Educational attainment runs 22.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 22 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 82% from five years earlier. Sunland Park reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 905.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,042 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Mexico's average monthly utility costs around $167 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 96.1 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

17,085 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$52,147 /yr

Poverty 23.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Sunland Park compare to other US cities?

Here's how Sunland Park stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 41% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 68% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Mexico alone, Sunland Park ranks #11 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Sunland Park 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 Sunland Park toward the bottom of New Mexico's cities

Among the 409 New Mexico cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Sunland Park ranks #281 - the 25th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sunland Park only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#177 of 324
45th percentile in New Mexico
Median Gross Rent
#281 of 409
25th percentile in New Mexico
Median Home Value
#150 of 324
54th percentile in New Mexico
Poverty Rate
#117 of 408
71st percentile in New Mexico
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#156 of 409
62nd 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.

23rdIncome percentile
68thSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 68th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sunland Park's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sunland Park's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 53 Avg. percentile National median
Sunland Park's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Sunland Park's home value compares nationally

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

$194,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 59% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sunland Park $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 - Sunland Park, NM Sunland Park, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sunland Park, 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 Sunland Park, NM median $52,147/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%
Sunland Park, 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 Sunland Park, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.2%

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

Population
17,085
Median Income
$52,147
Median Home Value
$194,900
Median Age
31.9
Poverty Rate
23.3%
Labor force participation
59.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
905.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
327.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
577.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,500 residents17,000 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents18,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,797 residents 18,268 residents ▲ +8.8%
Sunland Park's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
22
housing units authorized
Single-Family
22
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 122
2020 128
2021 140
2022 115
2023 105
2024 22

Permit volume decreased 82% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.2%
Carpool
17.6%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
4.4%
Other
2.9%

Based on 7,397 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 Sunland Park sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,042/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Chaparral
16,642 people
Los Lunas
17,932 people
Deming
14,735 people
Los Alamos
13,471 people
Las Vegas
13,120 people
Gallup
21,333 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sunland Park's 17,085 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ferndale, MD
17,076 people
Cañon City, CO
17,098 people
Pendleton, OR
17,070 people
Ojus, FL
17,101 people
Woodcrest, CA
17,111 people
New Port Richey, FL
17,057 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sunland Park's $52,147 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Nulato, AK
$52,143 median income
Carlisle, IN
$52,143 median income
Lewisville, IN
$52,143 median income
Leesville, OH
$52,143 median income
Elmo, UT
$52,143 median income
Page Park, FL
$52,153 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sunland Park, 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 Sunland Park, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.1% 27.5% 36.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 93.8% White 35.1% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 27.5% Two or more races 36.4% 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 Sunland Park 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
Sunland Park (this city) 17,085 $52,147
Chaparral 16,642 $46,102
Los Lunas 17,932 $63,696
Deming 14,735 $35,920
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sunland Park, NM?

What is the population of Sunland Park, NM? +

The population of Sunland Park, NM stands at 17,085 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sunland Park, NM? +

Median annual household income in Sunland Park runs $52,147, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sunland Park? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sunland Park; 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.

Is Sunland Park, NM safe? +

Sunland Park has a total crime rate of 905.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Sunland Park, NM? +

The median home value in Sunland Park is $194,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.