County · New Mexico
Socorro County, New Mexico
Socorro County, New Mexico. Socorro County had 15,838 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.6% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. It holds 16 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 14 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 35053.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,838
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,595 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,200
Median household income
$36,570
±$11,077 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$137,500
±$30,619 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$691
±$171 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
How many people live in Socorro County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,595 residents in Socorro County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,838 for July 1, 2025, down 4.6% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,200 over 6,646 square miles of land.
| Measure | Socorro County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,200 | 2,120,246 | −658 |
| Households | 5,269±288 | 837,414 | +749 |
| Average household size | 2.94±0.16 | 2.48 | −0.68 |
| Housing units | 7,693±19 | 956,964 | −541 |
Socorro County's population since 2000
From 18,078 in 2000 to 15,838 in 2025: down 12.4%. 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 Socorro County?
Socorro County holds 16 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Socorro with 8,261 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Socorro | 8,707 | $39,375 |
|---|---|---|
| AlamoGEOID 3501710 | 1,150 | not published |
| MagdalenaGEOID 3546310 | 806 | not published |
| LemitarGEOID 3540570 | 346 | $93,902 |
| VeguitaGEOID 3582640 | 219 | $11,354 |
| PolvaderaGEOID 3558910 | 178 | $27,158 |
| AlamilloGEOID 3501640 | 124 | not published |
| Las NutriasGEOID 3539450 | 119 | not published |
| San AntonioGEOID 3566120 | 113 | not published |
| San Antonito (Socorro County)GEOID 3566400 | 81 | not published |
| La Joya | 80 | not published |
| Luis LopezGEOID 3545190 | 66 | not published |
| ChamizalGEOID 3514200 | 51 | not published |
| AbeytasGEOID 3500240 | 45 | not published |
| EscondidaGEOID 3525100 | 45 | not published |
| San AcaciaGEOID 3565910 | 38 | 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 Socorro County?
The median resident of Socorro County is 40.3 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 50.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 32.8%. 4.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Socorro County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3±3.2 | 39.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0%±3.4 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±2.0 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 50.3% | 48.4% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 32.8%±0.3 pts | 36.0% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | −1.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 10.6%±3.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±3.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.2%±1.0 pts | 9.4% | −2.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 33.4%±5.7 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±2.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 27.8%±4.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.4%±3.3 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±3.4 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.0%±4.0 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.1%±2.4 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.8%±4.5 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 Socorro County earn?
Half of Socorro County's 5,269 households earn less than $36,570 a year (±$11,077), against $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,791 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $15,221 after inflation. 33.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Socorro County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $36,570±$11,077 | $64,059 | −$15,221 |
| Mean household income | $62,811±$12,024 | $88,155 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,858±$7,139 | $36,218 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 33.2%±7.2 pts | 17.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 46.6%±18.8 pts | 24.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.8%±6.9 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 63.0%±7.5 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 Socorro County?
Owners occupy 75.1% of Socorro County's occupied homes and renters 24.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $137,500 by its owner (±$30,619). The median renter pays $691 a month including utilities, and 45.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Socorro County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $137,500±$30,619 | $248,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $691±$171 | $1,067 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.9%±11.1 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,293±$134 | $1,564 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.1%±5.9 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,693±19 | 956,964 | −541 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.9%±4.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 49.5%±5.4 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 39.0%±4.8 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.6%±3.4 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 Socorro County building?
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Socorro County get to work?
62.5% of Socorro County's workers drive alone and 18.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.2 minutes.
| Measure | Socorro County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 40.7%±4.1 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.3%±1.5 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 62.5%±6.9 pts | 73.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±3.9 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 9.5%±4.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.0%±5.5 pts | 12.2% | +11.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.2 min±3.1 | 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 Socorro County's census tracts?
Socorro County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,058 (Tract 9782) to $54,864 (Tract 9783.01).
| Tract 940035053940000 | 246±320 | not published |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 978135053978100 | 5,306±387 | not published |
| Tract 978235053978200 | 1,559±432 | $31,058 |
| Tract 9783.0135053978301 | 2,187±418 | $54,864 |
| Tract 9783.0235053978302 | 3,886±761 | $35,800 |
| Tract 9783.0335053978303 | 3,016±820 | $42,105 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Socorro County compare with New Mexico's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 33 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 33 |
| Residents per square mile | 26th of 33 |
| Median household income | 31st of 32 |
| Median home value | 22nd of 32 |
| Median gross rent | 28th of 31 |
| Poverty rate | 1st of 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th of 33 |
| Median age | 17th 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 Socorro 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.