CensusEasy
CITY

Chama

New Mexico · 913 residents (2025 est.) · 2.881 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Española micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Chama has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,694. Population has fallen 35% since 2000, a loss of 423 residents. 19% 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 $189,100. With a median age of 64.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 52% less than the New Mexico median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 64.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
776
−35%since 2000
from 1,199 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
269 / sq mi
−35%since 2000
from 416 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
64.4
+69%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:913 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6988489991K1K1990201020202024Chama
2024776
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,694
−45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,513 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,375
+118%since 2000
from $16,670 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.516
+48%since 2010
from 0.349 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing13.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction13.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services2.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$189,100
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$570
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
80.3%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 74.3% in 2000
19.7% rent
Vacancy rate
27.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
35.1%
+21.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
23.3%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.2
+134%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chama on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic26.9%(323)
Black0.4%(5)
Hispanic / Latino71.2%(854)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score50.5%(606)
2024
White, non-Hispanic22.3%(173)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino73.7%(572)
Asian0%(0)
Other4%(31)
Diversity Score50.7%(393)
Diversity Score
51
Unchangedsince 2000
from 51 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.9%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.5%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
8.3 min
−37%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 71.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.3%
−12.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.4%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
9.3%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% 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
14.6%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 11.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 59.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.9%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.2%
−17.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Female
49.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.4%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
24.0%
+13.3 ptssince 2012
from 10.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.7%
−75.4 ptssince 2013
from 78.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
65.9%
+21.3 ptssince 2017
from 44.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
72.6%
+19.5 ptssince 2016
from 53.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
27.4%
−14.4 ptssince 2016
from 41.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chama

Southport
Pop 873
Solana
Pop 948
Waldo
Pop 814
Cottondale
Pop 879
Places similar to Chama
Head to head

Compare Chama to nearby cities

CHAMA VS
Alamosa
Income$49,688+62%
Home value$225,200+19%
Population9,849+979%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAMA VS
Española
Income$47,667+55%
Home value$210,800+11%
Population10,458+1045%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAMA VS
Los Alamos
Income$141,018+359%
Home value$501,800+165%
Population13,317+1359%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAMA VS
Durango
Income$78,602+156%
Home value$668,400+253%
Population19,733+2061%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chama, New Mexico?

Chama, New Mexico has about 776 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Chama, New Mexico earns about $30,694 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chama, New Mexico expensive?

In Chama, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $189,100, and the typical rent is about $570 a month.

How educated are people in Chama, New Mexico?

About 18.9% of adults age 25 and over in Chama, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chama, New Mexico?

About 20.7% of people in Chama, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chama, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Chama, New Mexico has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 320 residents, a change of about -29 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
New Mexico
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Chama with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →