County · New Mexico
Sierra County, New Mexico
Sierra County, New Mexico. Sierra County had 11,395 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.5% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. It holds 11 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 35051.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,395
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,576 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,500
Median household income
$41,600
±$5,700 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$152,600
±$15,687 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$729
±$44 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
How many people live in Sierra County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,576 residents in Sierra County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,395 for July 1, 2025, down 1.5% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,500 over 4,181 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sierra County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,500 | 2,120,246 | +469 |
| Households | 5,440±340 | 837,414 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.07±0.13 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,200±98 | 956,964 | −355 |
Sierra County's population since 2000
From 13,270 in 2000 to 11,395 in 2025: down 14.1%. 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.
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 Sierra County?
Sierra County holds 11 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Truth or Consequences with 5,949 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Truth or Consequences | 6,052 | $33,788 |
|---|---|---|
| Elephant Butte | 1,447 | $53,482 |
| WilliamsburgGEOID 3585300 | 462 | $29,250 |
| ArreyGEOID 3504870 | 296 | not published |
| Las PalomasGEOID 3539520 | 196 | $73,864 |
| OasisGEOID 3553010 | 161 | not published |
| HillsboroGEOID 3532380 | 140 | not published |
| Hot Springs LandingGEOID 3533640 | 120 | not published |
| CaballoGEOID 3510050 | 77 | not published |
| KingstonGEOID 3536090 | 50 | not published |
| WinstonGEOID 3585720 | 47 | not published |
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 Sierra County?
The median resident of Sierra County is 57.6 years old; 15.6% are under 18 and 38.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 63.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 29.8%. 7.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sierra County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 57.6±1.6 | 39.4 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 15.6%±0.6 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 38.8%±1.3 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 29.8% | 48.4% | −0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 63.1%±1.5 pts | 36.0% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.6%±1.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.5%±4.0 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 21.6%±4.1 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 16.1%±2.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 31.6%±4.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.1%±2.2 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.2%±2.9 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.0%±3.6 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±2.2 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±1.4 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 Sierra County earn?
Half of Sierra County's 5,440 households earn less than $41,600 a year (±$5,700), against $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 it was $36,619 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sierra County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,600±$5,700 | $64,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $54,369±$5,822 | $88,155 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,453±$2,328 | $36,218 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.4%±5.2 pts | 17.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.3%±16.4 pts | 24.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.9%±3.5 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.5%±4.7 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 Sierra County?
Owners occupy 71.8% of Sierra County's occupied homes and renters 28.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,600 by its owner (±$15,687). The median renter pays $729 a month including utilities, and 40.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sierra County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,600±$15,687 | $248,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $729±$44 | $1,067 | +$68 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.6%±11.8 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,123±$183 | $1,564 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.8%±5.2 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,200±98 | 956,964 | −355 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.8%±2.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.0%±5.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.0%±4.7 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 41.4%±4.7 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±1.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.4%±2.5 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 many new homes is Sierra County building?
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Sierra County get to work?
72.3% of Sierra County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.8 minutes.
| Measure | Sierra County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 37.4%±3.1 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±2.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 72.3%±7.3 pts | 73.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0%±4.5 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±1.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±4.2 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.8 min±2.5 | 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 Sierra County's census tracts?
Sierra County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $30,233 (Tract 9622) to $52,083 (Tract 9624.02).
| Tract 962235051962200 | 3,436±402 | $30,233 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 962335051962300 | 3,089±503 | $36,344 |
| Tract 9624.0135051962401 | 2,404±403 | $49,559 |
| Tract 9624.0235051962402 | 2,571±421 | $52,083 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Sierra County compare with New Mexico's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 25th of 33 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 17th of 33 |
| Residents per square mile | 25th of 33 |
| Median household income | 30th of 32 |
| Median home value | 21st of 32 |
| Median gross rent | 25th of 31 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th of 33 |
| Median age | 2nd of 33 |
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 Sierra 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.