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Dulce, NM
Census-designated place in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
Population
3,218
Land area
12.8sq mi
People per sq mi
251
ZIP codes
0
Dulce and its ZIP codes
Dulce at a glance
- Dulce is about 14 times as dense as New Mexico as a whole.
- It is the 59th most populous of 495 cities and towns in New Mexico.
- Households here earn a median of $39,773 a year, 38% less than the New Mexico figure of $64,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $53,300 (79% below New Mexico) and median rent is $550 a month.
Local data for Dulce, NM
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Dulce, NM, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$39,773
Poverty rate
22.0%
Median home value
$53,300
Median rent
$550/mo
Homeownership
65.9%
Bachelor's or higher
11.4%
Median age
37.7
Average commute
10.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (93), Irish Americans (39), Filipino Americans (37).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Rio Arriba County. PPP loans are for Dulce.
Unemployment rate
4.8%
Aug 2026, +0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$50,458
9,536 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$48,455
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$321M
FY 2026, $7,948 per person
How people get to work
Dulce, NM, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.3%
- Carpooled12.3%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked5.4%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home3.0%
Average one-way commute: 10.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Dulce, NM, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
697
Countywide, mostly drought
Flood insurance policies
147
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 10°F
17.4 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Dulce, NM, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
43.9%
U.S. 33.3% +10.6 pts
Diabetes
16.3%
U.S. 12.1% +4.2 pts
Smoking
27.1%
U.S. 12.8% +14.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
12.8%
U.S. 11.1% +1.7 pts
Cities near Dulce
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| LumbertonCensus-designated place | 3.9 mi | 0.5 |
| ChamaVillage | 24 mi | 2.9 |
| Pagosa Springs, COTown | 24 mi | 5.1 |
| Arboles, COCensus-designated place | 24 mi | 5.2 |
| BrazosCensus-designated place | 27 mi | 0.2 |
| Los OjosCensus-designated place | 28 mi | 1.4 |
| Tierra AmarillaCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 2.7 |
| Middle MesaCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 6.7 |
| EnsenadaCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 1.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Dulce, NM in?
- Dulce is in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
- What is the population of Dulce, NM?
- About 3,218 people live in Dulce, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Dulce?
- Nearby places include Lumberton (3.9 mi), Chama (24 mi), Pagosa Springs, CO (24 mi), Arboles, CO (24 mi), Brazos (27 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023