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La Mesilla, NM
Census-designated place in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
Population
2,697
Land area
4.5sq mi
People per sq mi
606
ZIP codes
0
La Mesilla and its ZIP codes
La Mesilla at a glance
- La Mesilla is about 35 times as dense as New Mexico as a whole.
- It is the 69th most populous of 495 cities and towns in New Mexico.
- Households here earn a median of $81,438 a year, 27% more than the New Mexico figure of $64,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $315,800 (27% above New Mexico) and median rent is $1,012 a month.
Housing and community stats
La Mesilla, NM, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$81,438
Poverty rate
9.0%
Median home value
$315,800
Median rent
$1,012/mo
Homeownership
87.4%
Bachelor's or higher
38.8%
Median age
45.8
Average commute
32.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (389), German Americans (191), Irish Americans (137).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Rio Arriba County. PPP loans are for La Mesilla.
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
La Mesilla, NM, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.8%
- Carpooled9.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.8%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.3%
- Worked from home15.1%
Average one-way commute: 32.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
La Mesilla, 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
91° / 16°F
Health statistics
Share of adults in La Mesilla, NM, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.8%
U.S. 33.3% +5.5 pts
Diabetes
16.5%
U.S. 12.1% +4.4 pts
Smoking
11.8%
U.S. 12.8% -1.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
17.1%
U.S. 11.1% +6.0 pts
Cities near La Mesilla
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara PuebloCensus-designated place | 2 mi | 2 |
| El Valle de Arroyo SecoCensus-designated place | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| SombrilloCensus-designated place | 2.8 mi | 0.9 |
| EspañolaCity | 3.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Santa CruzCensus-designated place | 3.7 mi | 0.6 |
| CuartelezCensus-designated place | 4.1 mi | 1.4 |
| El RanchoCensus-designated place | 4.1 mi | 2.1 |
| San Ildefonso PuebloCensus-designated place | 4.4 mi | 4.4 |
| JaconitaCensus-designated place | 4.5 mi | 0.7 |
| JaconaCensus-designated place | 4.6 mi | 0.8 |
| PojoaqueCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 4.4 |
| La PueblaCensus-designated place | 4.8 mi | 2.8 |
| San JoseCensus-designated place | 6.2 mi | 1.8 |
| NambeCensus-designated place | 6.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Ohkay OwingehCensus-designated place | 6.5 mi | 3.8 |
| CuyamungueCensus-designated place | 6.7 mi | 1.2 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is La Mesilla, NM in?
- La Mesilla is in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
- What is the population of La Mesilla, NM?
- About 2,697 people live in La Mesilla, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near La Mesilla?
- Nearby places include Santa Clara Pueblo (2 mi), El Valle de Arroyo Seco (2.4 mi), Sombrillo (2.8 mi), Española (3.6 mi), Santa Cruz (3.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023