La Mesa: Demographics & People
La Mesa's population stands at 473 people, in 192 households. Population shrank 13.7% from 548 (2022) to 473 (2024). Median age 63.7 years. (29.4y older than Doña Ana County; 24.0y older than New Mexico). Children under 18 are 13% of the population. Population is 82% Hispanic or Latino and 4% White (non-Hispanic). 74% of households are family-led. County health: 36% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household.
- 26% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 13.7% from 548 (2022) to 473 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~410 (extrapolated at -6.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 335.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 219,561 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -13.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 548 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 473 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 473 people |
| Population Estimate | 335 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 63.7y is 24.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 13% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 63.7 years (vs New Mexico 39.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 12.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Population under 18 | 60 |
| Median age | 63.7 years (vs New Mexico 39.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 473 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 200 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 531 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | -0.44 |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | less diverse |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 82.2% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 3.8% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 181 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 116 |
| Share born in this state | 38.3% |
| Share born in another state | 61.7% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 24.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 37.2% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 206 |
Households & Family Composition
192 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 74% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 186 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 137 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 186 |
| Single-parent households | 37 |
| Average household size | 2.41 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 18.5% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 60 |
| Family households | 143 households |
| Households that are families | 74.5% |
| Total households | 192 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 3.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%.
| Moved within the county (past year) | 3.6% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 194,947 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 194,932 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 15 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 87 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 13.4% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 35,013 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 35 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 13 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Dona Ana |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 24.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 22.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 26.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 35,013 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Dona Ana County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 7,935 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 35,013 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Dona Ana County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 95.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 80.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 50.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 218,195 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 12.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 473, shrinking, retirement community, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 473 people |
| Town Summary · County | Doña Ana County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade