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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chama

New Mexico · 917 residents · 2.881 sq mi
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The short version

Chama has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,561. Population has fallen 24% since 2000, a loss of 282 residents. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $172,900. With a median age of 50.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 31% less than the New Mexico median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 43%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
917
−24%since 2000
from 1,199 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
318 / sq mi
−24%since 2000
from 416 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.7
+33%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
6988489991K1K1990201020202024Chama
2024776
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,561
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,513 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,623
+6%since 2000
from $16,670 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
15.8%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing12.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction12.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade10.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance9.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$172,900
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$707
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 74.3% in 2000
26.6% rent
Afford Score
4.9
+84%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic27%(248)
Black1.1%(10)
Hispanic / Latino69%(633)
Asian0.5%(5)
Other2.2%(20)
Diversity Score56.1%(514)
Diversity Score
56
+11%since 2000
from 51 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.9%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.3%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.0 min
+30%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
91.5%
+20.4 ptssince 2009
from 71.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 11.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
41.1%
−18.3 ptssince 2011
from 59.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
41.5%
−18.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Female
52.0%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.2%
−65.9 ptssince 2013
from 78.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Chama to nearby cities

CHAMA VS
Alamosa
Income$49,688+40%
Home value$225,200+30%
Population9,849+979%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAMA VS
Española
Income$47,667+34%
Home value$210,800+22%
Population10,458+1045%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAMA VS
Los Alamos
Income$141,018+297%
Home value$501,800+190%
Population13,317+1359%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAMA VS
Durango
Income$78,602+121%
Home value$668,400+287%
Population19,733+2061%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chama, New Mexico?

Chama, New Mexico has about 917 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Chama, New Mexico earns about $35,561 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 $172,900, and the typical rent is about $707 a month.

How educated are people in Chama, New Mexico?

About 17.9% 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 16.5% 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 179 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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

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