Alamogordo, New Mexico Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

The current estimated population of Alamogordo, New Mexico is 31,384, with 49% male and 51% female. Alamogordo has experienced steady growth, largely due to its location near Holloman Air Force Base and its appeal as a gateway to outdoor recreational activities.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1898
  • County: Otero
  • Land area: 19.3 square miles
  • Population density: Approximately 1,625 people per square mile
  • Area code: 575
  • Zip code: 88310

Geography and Location

Alamogordo, New Mexico is located in southern New Mexico, in Otero County, at the base of the Sacramento Mountains. The city is known for its proximity to White Sands National Park, an area famous for its vast white gypsum dunes. Alamogordo is also located near the Lincoln National Forest, offering abundant opportunities for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The city has a rich history tied to the military, with Holloman Air Force Base nearby and the historic Trinity Site, where the first atomic bomb was tested, located to the north. Alamogordo’s high desert climate, scenic location, and strong military presence contribute to its unique character and steady growth.

Demographics

Median resident age: 33.5 years
Median household income: $30,928
Median house value: $75,400

Population by Race

Races in Alamogordo:

  • White Non-Hispanic (57.8%)
  • Hispanic (32.0%)
  • Other race (12.1%)
  • Black (5.6%)
  • Two or more races (4.2%)
  • American Indian (1.8%)
  • Filipino (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (16.0%), Irish (8.9%), English (8.0%), United States (7.2%), Italian (2.8%), French (2.3%).

Elevation: 4334 feet

Land area: 19.3 square miles

Population by Education

Alamogordo, New Mexico is a small city located in Otero County. It has an estimated population of 37,835 people, making it the 15th largest city in the state. The population is quite diverse, with Hispanic/Latino being the largest ethnicity at 45.5%, followed by White (36.1%), African American (11.4%), Asian (3.9%) and Native American (2%). The median age for residents is 33 years old, and about 13% of the population is under 18 years old. The median household income for Alamogordo is $41,000 with about 11% of households living below the poverty line.

The job market in Alamogordo is mostly comprised of government positions due to its proximity to two nearby military bases: Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range. Retail trade and healthcare are also popular industries in this area as well as education and manufacturing. There are several higher education institutions located within a 25 mile radius such as New Mexico State University-Alamogordo, Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso Campus, and University of Texas at El Paso-Transmountain Campus that offer students a variety of degree programs to choose from.

The cost of living in Alamogordo is very affordable; it’s 8% lower than the national average according to BestPlaces data from 2020. Housing costs are particularly low with a median home value of $115,000 which is significantly lower than other cities in Otero County or other parts of New Mexico as well as other states across the US. This makes Alamogordo an attractive option for people who want to live an affordable lifestyle without sacrificing quality or convenience; it’s close enough to larger cities like El Paso for those who need access to larger amenities but don’t want to pay high prices for them.

For population 25 years and over in Alamogordo

  • High school or higher: 81.4%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.6%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.0%
  • Unemployed: 7.1%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Alamogordo city

  • Never married: 20.4%
  • Now married: 60.7%
  • Separated: 2.0%
  • Widowed: 6.6%
  • Divorced: 10.2%

12.1% Foreign born (5.8% Latin America, 4.9% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +7,673 (+27.5%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Alamogordo:

  • GERALD CHAMPION REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTE (2669 NORTH SCENIC DRIVE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Alamogordo:

  • PHS INDIAN HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; MESCALERO, NM)
  • LINCOLN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 37 miles; RUIDOSO, NM)
  • MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER INC (about 70 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Alamogordo:

  • HOLLOMAN AFB (about 11 miles; ALAMOGORDO, NM; Abbreviation: HMN)
  • SIERRA BLANCA REGIONAL (about 48 miles; RUIDOSO, NM; Abbreviation: SRR)
  • BIGGS AAF (about 79 miles; FORT BLISS/EL PASO/, TX; Abbreviation: BIF)

Other public-use airports nearest to Alamogordo:

  • ALAMOGORDO-WHITE SANDS REGIONAL (about 5 miles; ALAMOGORDO, NM; Abbreviation: ALM)
  • CARRIZOZO MUNI (about 51 miles; CARRIZOZO, NM; Abbreviation: Q37)
  • LAS CRUCES INTERNATIONAL (about 79 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Abbreviation: LRU)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Alamogordo:

  • NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-ALAMOGORDO (Full-time enrollment: 1,034; Location: 2400 NORTH SCENIC DRIVE; Public; Website: alamo.nmsu.edu/)
  • OLYMPIAN UNIVERSITY OF COSMETOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 42; Location: 1810 E TENTH ST; Private, for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Alamogordo:

  • NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 70 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 12,562)
  • NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY-DONA ANA (about 70 miles; LAS CRUCES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,380)
  • EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 85 miles; EL PASO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 11,127)
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO (about 87 miles; EL PASO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 12,071)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-MAIN CAMPUS (about 156 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 18,780)
  • ALBUQUERQUE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE (about 157 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 9,188)
  • UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-ALBUQUERQUE NM CAMPUS (about 161 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 3,261)

Schools

Public high schools in Alamogordo:

  • ALAMOGORDO HIGH (Students: 1,926; Location: 103 CUBA AVE.; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • ACADEMY DEL SOL ALT. (Students: 173; Location: 1211 HAWAII AVE.; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Alamogordo:

  • COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 281; Location: 2907 THUNDER ROAD; Grades: PK – 12)
  • N M VISUALLY HNDCPD (Students: 70; Location: 1900 N WHITE SANDS; Grades: KG – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Alamogordo:

  • CHAPARRAL JR HIGH (Students: 722; Location: 1401 COLLEGE AVE.; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • MT. VIEW MIDDLE SCH. (Students: 574; Location: 500 S. CANYON; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • YUCCA ELEM (Students: 398; Location: 310 DALE SCOTT BLVD.; Grades: PK – 05)
  • SACRAMENTO ELEM (Students: 362; Location: 300 ALASKA AVENUE; Grades: KG – 05)
  • NORTH ELEM (Students: 357; Location: 1300 NORTH FLORIDA; Grades: PK – 05)
  • HEIGHTS ELEM (Students: 301; Location: 2410 TENTH STREET; Grades: KG – 05)
  • OREGON ELEM (Students: 294; Location: 15TH & OREGON; Grades: KG – 05)
  • SIERRA ELEM (Students: 288; Location: 2211 PUERTO RICO AVENUE; Grades: KG – 05)
  • BUENA VISTA ELEM (Students: 270; Location: 2600 19TH STREET; Grades: KG – 05)
  • LACY SIMMS MIDDLE SC (Students: 117; Location: 501 CANEL STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)

Private primary/middle schools in Alamogordo:

  • FR JAMES B HAY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (Students: 106; Location: 1000 E EIGHTH ST; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST JOHNS DAY SCHOOL (Students: 65; Location: PO BOX 449 1114 INDIANA AVE; Grades: PK – KG)
  • MONTESSORI CHILDRENS’ HOUSE – (Students: 38; Location: 1707 CRESCENT DR; Grades: PK – 4)
  • ALAMAGORDO SDA SCHOOL (Students: 8; Location: PO BOX 511; Grades: 2 – 8)

Libraries

Library in Alamogordo:

  • ALAMOGORDO PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $737,851; Location: 920 OREGON AVENUE; 94,295 books; 1,863 audio materials; 3,198 video materials; 294 serial subscriptions)