County · New Mexico

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Rio Arriba County had 39,832 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.3% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. It holds 41 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 39 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 35039.

Rio Arriba County is the county of the Española, NM micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

39,832

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 40,363 · ACS 2020-2024: 40,070

Median household income

$57,155

±$4,325 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059

Median home value

$243,700

±$17,840 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100

Median gross rent

$740

±$85 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067

How many people live in Rio Arriba County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 40,363 residents in Rio Arriba County. The Census Bureau estimates 39,832 for July 1, 2025, down 1.3% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 40,070 over 5,861 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −60 (40,193)
2021→2022 −252 (39,941)
2022→2023 −41 (39,900)
2023→2024 +48 (39,948)
2024→2025 −116 (39,832)

Rio Arriba County in New Mexico. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Rio Arriba County	New Mexico	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	40,070	2,120,246	+911
Households	15,647±468	837,414	+2,917
Average household size	2.54±0.08	2.48	−0.49
Housing units	19,862±59	956,964	−322

Rio Arriba County's population since 2000

From 41,190 in 2000 to 39,832 in 2025: down 3.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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.

2000 Census 41,190
2005 (estimate) 40,198
2010 Census 40,246
2015 (estimate) 39,358
2020 Census 40,363
2025 (estimate) 39,832

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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Rio Arriba County?

Rio Arriba County holds 41 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 39 census-designated places. The largest is Española with 10,458 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Rio Arriba County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Española	city	10,526	10,473±48	$47,667	$210,800	20.4%	68%
Dulce	CDP	2,788	3,218±403	$39,773	$53,300	22.0%	100%
Chimayo	CDP	3,077	2,390±646	$56,484	$227,500	27.0%	78%
La Mesilla	CDP	1,844	2,697±432	$81,438	$315,800	9.0%	100%
Ohkay Owingeh	CDP	1,464	1,194±259	$47,067	not published	23.6%	100%
Chamita	CDP	1,005	867±155	$68,472	$222,300	19.8%	100%
La VillitaGEOID 3540360	CDP	999	1,534±690	$104,162	$253,500	4.7%	100%
Dixon	CDP	938	1,623±434	$54,231	$392,700	37.6%	100%
Santa Clara Pueblo	CDP	930	733±181	$46,875	$123,900	26.7%	100%
Chama	village	917	776±273	$30,694	$189,100	20.7%	100%
Los LucerosGEOID 3543300	CDP	891	1,136±580	not published	not published	3.3%	100%
Hernandez	CDP	756	769±185	$26,923	$148,200	28.1%	100%
El Rito	CDP	749	1,102±587	not published	$332,300	54.4%	100%
San Jose (Rio Arriba County)	CDP	670	776±204	$80,179	$254,900	14.3%	100%
El DuendeGEOID 3522650	CDP	573	454±475	$124,081	not published	0.4%	100%
ChiliGEOID 3514810	CDP	541	209±185	$63,939	$296,300	0.0%	100%
VelardeGEOID 3582710	CDP	514	229±175	$97,776	$234,100	0.0%	100%
TruchasGEOID 3579700	CDP	467	528±197	not published	$315,800	8.3%	100%
CordovaGEOID 3517610	CDP	380	389±379	$23,395	not published	64.3%	100%
AlcaldeGEOID 3502070	CDP	310	285±81	$48,000	$250,000	17.2%	100%
GallinaGEOID 3528180	CDP	299	318±165	$77,629	$196,100	9.4%	100%
Tierra AmarillaGEOID 3577670	CDP	297	429±433	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
Ojo SarcoGEOID 3553730	CDP	277	112±104	$13,292	$63,200	72.3%	100%
LydenGEOID 3545400	CDP	250	0±14	not published	not published	–	100%
CanjilonGEOID 3510610	CDP	228	185±167	not published	$395,800	0.0%	100%
MedanalesGEOID 3547360	CDP	224	280±300	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
AbiquiuGEOID 3500310	CDP	181	40±58	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
La Madera (Rio Arriba County)GEOID 3538470	CDP	140	171±283	not published	not published	100.0%	100%
CoyoteGEOID 3518660	CDP	110	64±31	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
EnsenadaGEOID 3524960	CDP	107	225±265	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
CanovaGEOID 3511520	CDP	102	452±518	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
Los OjosGEOID 3543510	CDP	97	23±38	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
Rio ChiquitoGEOID 3563110	CDP	200	187±165	not published	$246,800	0.0%	47%
PueblitoGEOID 3559750	CDP	91	41±43	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
CañonesGEOID 3511310	CDP	85	57±56	$103,625	$658,300	0.0%	100%
LumbertonGEOID 3545260	CDP	70	130±162	not published	not published	16.9%	100%
YoungsvilleGEOID 3586210	CDP	44	44±57	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
LindrithGEOID 3541130	CDP	32	111±98	$71,359	$106,600	0.0%	100%
BrazosGEOID 3508860	CDP	31	0±14	not published	not published	–	100%
LybrookGEOID 3545365	CDP	19	21±36	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
Ojo CalienteGEOID 3553590	CDP	135	0±14	not published	not published	–	13%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Rio Arriba County?

The median resident of Rio Arriba County is 42.0 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 21.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 67.2%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 15.5%. 6.3% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Rio Arriba County	New Mexico	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	42.0±0.7	39.4	no clear change
Under 18 years	22.5%±0.1 pts	21.7%	–
65 years and over	21.8%±0.1 pts	19.3%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	67.2%	48.4%	−4.0 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	14.0%±0.4 pts	36.0%	+1.6 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	0.6%±0.2 pts	1.8%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.6%±0.1 pts	1.6%	no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	15.5%±0.6 pts	8.5%	–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.1%	–
Two or more races, not Hispanic	1.5%±0.6 pts	3.1%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.6%±0.4 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	6.3%±1.3 pts	9.4%	+2.1 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	51.4%±2.8 pts	31.3%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	5.6%±1.0 pts	7.9%	–
With a disability	15.8%±1.5 pts	17.0%	–
No health insurance coverage	8.7%±1.2 pts	9.6%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	87.7%±2.0 pts	88.0%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	19.0%±1.9 pts	31.0%	no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	8.6%±1.4 pts	13.9%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	0.9%±0.7 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 Rio Arriba County earn?

Half of Rio Arriba County's 15,647 households earn less than $57,155 a year (±$4,325), against $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,169 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,986 after inflation. 18.2% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Rio Arriba County	New Mexico	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$57,155±$4,325	$64,059	+$7,986
Mean household income	$76,460±$4,305	$88,155	–
Per capita income	$31,887±$1,501	$36,218	+$3,691
People below the poverty line	18.2%±2.2 pts	17.8%	−5.8 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	27.1%±5.7 pts	24.0%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	18.8%±2.1 pts	19.2%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	75.3%±3.2 pts	86.5%	–

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 Rio Arriba County?

Owners occupy 80.0% of Rio Arriba County's occupied homes and renters 20.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $243,700 by its owner (±$17,840). The median renter pays $740 a month including utilities, and 29.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Rio Arriba County	New Mexico	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$243,700±$17,840	$248,100	+$37,805
Median gross rent	$740±$85	$1,067	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	29.7%±6.2 pts	41.7%	−10.7 pts
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,416±$82	$1,564	–
Owner-occupied homes	80.0%±2.1 pts	70.0%	no clear change
Housing units	19,862±59	956,964	−322
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.9%±0.6 pts	1.0%	–
Rental vacancy rate	5.2%±2.6 pts	5.9%	–
Single-family detached homes	59.2%±2.7 pts	64.5%	–
Mobile homes	35.9%±2.7 pts	15.5%	–
Built 2020 or later	1.1%±0.8 pts	1.4%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	6.0%±1.1 pts	4.4%	–

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 Rio Arriba County get to work?

77.1% of Rio Arriba County's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Rio Arriba County	New Mexico	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	53.1%±2.2 pts	57.8%	–
Unemployment rate	4.9%±1.4 pts	6.0%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	77.1%±3.1 pts	73.6%	–
Carpooled	9.0%±2.3 pts	9.9%	–
Public transportation	0.6%±0.7 pts	0.6%	–
Walked	2.8%±1.2 pts	1.9%	–
Worked from home	10.2%±2.4 pts	12.2%	+6.3 pts
Mean travel time to work	30.1 min±2.0	23.5 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 are Rio Arriba County's census tracts?

Rio Arriba County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,129 (Tract 9410) to $85,391 (Tract 3.02).

Census tracts of Rio Arriba County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 135039000100	Chimayo (38%)	3,233	3,033±536	$54,946	$219,000	$903	30.1%
Tract 235039000200	Dixon (21%)	3,802	3,521±454	$70,625	$339,000	$918	27.9%
Tract 3.0135039000301	Española (19%)	3,440	3,219±741	$59,383	$238,500	not published	4.0%
Tract 3.0235039000302	Los Luceros (28%)	3,164	2,965±527	$85,391	$236,900	$652	3.7%
Tract 4.0135039000401	Abiquiu (5%)	1,784	1,743±510	$44,868	$353,300	not published	26.8%
Tract 4.0235039000402	El Rito (4%)	2,928	2,743±485	$50,854	$315,100	not published	19.6%
Tract 535039000500	Chama (9%)	3,658	3,702±473	$65,625	$217,000	$479	8.1%
Tract 940735039940700	Española (90%)	3,570	3,164±362	$44,661	$206,700	$689	28.0%
Tract 940835039940800	Santa Clara Pueblo (37%)	4,534	5,260±603	$70,000	$274,100	$1,006	15.9%
Tract 941035039941000	Dulce (9%)	3,670	4,286±408	$39,129	$48,500	$472	21.7%
Tract 944135039944100	Española (21%)	6,580	6,434±513	$55,000	$232,700	$960	18.9%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Rio Arriba County compare with New Mexico's other counties?

Rio Arriba County's rank among New Mexico's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	13th of 33
Growth 2020-2025	15th of 33
Residents per square mile	18th of 33
Median household income	11th of 32
Median home value	6th of 32
Median gross rent	24th of 31
Poverty rate	23rd of 33
Bachelor's degree or higher	20th of 33
Median age	15th of 33

Every county in New Mexico

Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Rio Arriba County 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.