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CITY

Belen

New Mexico · 7,589 residents (2025 est.) · 19.011 sq mi
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The short version

Belen has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,627. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $166,100. The poverty rate of 31.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 33% less than the New Mexico median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,450
+8%since 2000
from 6,901 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
392 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 363 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.1
+7%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,589 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K7K7K7K8K1990201020202024Belen
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,627
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,754 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,140
+78%since 2000
from $12,999 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.0%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
31.2%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 24.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.454
−2%since 2010
from 0.463 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade13.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction4.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services1.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$166,100
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$916
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $427 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.2%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 69.9% in 2000
26.8% rent
Vacancy rate
13.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 25.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.7%
+17.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.9
+33%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
32
RELATED:See current rent listings in Belen on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic27.8%(1,920)
Black0.9%(61)
Hispanic / Latino68.6%(4,735)
Asian0.1%(9)
Other0%
Diversity Score52.8%(3,646)
2024
White, non-Hispanic26.1%(1,943)
Black0.9%(70)
Hispanic / Latino68.2%(5,082)
Asian0.2%(18)
Other4.5%(337)
Diversity Score58.1%(4,326)
Diversity Score
58
+10%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
75.5%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.9 min
+58%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.3%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.1%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 52.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.7%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Foreign born
8.9%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.3%
−44.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.6%
+8.8 ptssince 2012
from 19.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.0%
−72.5 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.6%
+21.5 ptssince 2017
from 59.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
65.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 66.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
33.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2016
from 30.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Belen to nearby cities

BELEN VS
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Income$62,330+46%
Home value$262,900+58%
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BELEN VS
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BELEN VS
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Home value$291,500+75%
Population556,588+7234%
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BELEN VS
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Income$61,498+44%
Home value$302,700+82%
Population10,455+38%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Belen, New Mexico?

Belen, New Mexico has about 7,450 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Belen, New Mexico?

The typical household in Belen, New Mexico earns about $42,627 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Belen, New Mexico expensive?

In Belen, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $166,100, and the typical rent is about $916 a month.

How educated are people in Belen, New Mexico?

About 13.6% of adults age 25 and over in Belen, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Belen, New Mexico?

About 31.2% of people in Belen, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Belen, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Belen, New Mexico has grown since 1990. The population has added about 903 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →