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

by btobers · Published June 21, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Dulce, New Mexico is a small city located in the northwest corner of the state. The city is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains and desert to the east, south, and west. The climate is semi-arid with hot summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall. The average temperature ranges from a low of 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

The city has a rich history dating back to the 1800s when it was first settled by Spanish colonists. During this time, Dulce was an important trading post for goods between Mexico and the United States. The city has been home to many cultures throughout its history including Native American tribes, Hispanic settlers, and Anglo-Americans.

Politically, Dulce is part of Rio Arriba County and is represented by state representatives at both local and state levels. Economy wise, Dulce’s economy relies heavily on tourism as well as ranching and farming.

The school district in Dulce consists of four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and two private schools. Additionally there are several community colleges within driving distance that offer higher education opportunities for students in the area.

Finally Dulce has several landmarks that attract tourists from around the world including Aztec Ruins National Monument which holds archaeological evidence of ancient civilizations; Jicarilla Apache Reservation which offers visitors an opportunity to explore Native American culture; Red Rocks State Park where you can take hikes through beautiful red rock formations; Chama Valley which provides breathtaking views of mesas and buttes; as well as Carlsbad Caverns National Park where you can explore subterranean limestone caves full of stalactites and stalagmites.

Population: 2,623
Males: 1,259 (48.0%), Females: 1,364 (52.0%)

Rio Arriba County

Zip code: 87528

Demographics

Median resident age: 25.1 years
Median household income: $26,818
Median house value: $50,500

Population by Race

Races in Dulce:

American Indian (92.0%)
Hispanic (11.7%)
Other race (4.3%)
White Non-Hispanic (2.5%)
Two or more races (1.5%)

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

Ancestries: .

Elevation: 6769 feet

Land area: 12.9 square miles

Population by Education

Dulce, New Mexico is a small town located in the far north of the state. It lies in the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, and is home to just over 2,000 people. The majority of the population are Native American, with over 90% of residents identifying as either Apache or Navajo. The remaining 10% of residents are primarily Hispanic and Caucasian.

The town is largely rural, with many residents living in traditional adobe homes and relying on farming for their livelihoods. Local cuisine reflects this agricultural lifestyle, featuring dishes such as chili peppers, squash blossoms, cornbread, and fried bread. Many residents also hunt deer for meat or collect wild herbs to add flavor to their meals.

The local economy is largely based around tourism and retail services catering to visitors from nearby cities such as Albuquerque and Santa Fe. There are several small shops selling traditional arts and crafts, as well as several restaurants serving local specialties like frybread tacos and Navajo tacos. There are also a few larger businesses in Dulce that provide employment opportunities for locals such as a grocery store, gas station and hardware store.

In addition to its cultural heritage, Dulce is known for its stunning landscapes which attract hikers from across the country looking to explore the area’s canyons, mountains and deserts. These natural attractions help keep tourism alive in Dulce while also providing locals with recreational opportunities they can enjoy without ever leaving town.

For population 25 years and over in Dulce

High school or higher: 77.2%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 6.6%
Unemployed: 14.1%
Mean travel time to work: 8.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Dulce CDP

Never married: 45.8%
Now married: 38.7%
Separated: 1.3%
Widowed: 3.9%
Divorced: 10.2%

0.4% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Dulce:

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER OF DURANGO (about 65 miles; DURANGO, CO)
RIO GRANDE HOSPITAL – CAH (about 69 miles; DEL NORTE, CO)
CONEJOS COUNTY HOSPITAL – CAH (about 69 miles; LA JARA, CO)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Dulce:

DURANGO-LA PLATA COUNTY (about 55 miles; DURANGO, CO; Abbreviation: DRO)
SAN LUIS VALLEY REGIONAL/BERGMAN FIELD (about 86 miles; ALAMOSA, CO; Abbreviation: ALS)
FOUR CORNERS REGIONAL (about 87 miles; FARMINGTON, NM; Abbreviation: FMN)

Other public-use airports nearest to Dulce:

JICARILLA APACHE NATION (about 12 miles; DULCE, NM; Abbreviation: 24N)
STEVENS FIELD (about 23 miles; PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO; Abbreviation: 2V1)
LINDRITH AIRPARK (about 46 miles; LINDRITH, NM; Abbreviation: E32)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Dulce:

FORT LEWIS COLLEGE (about 65 miles; DURANGO, CO; Full-time enrollment: 4,051)
SAN JUAN COLLEGE (about 81 miles; FARMINGTON, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,837)
ADAMS STATE COLLEGE (about 86 miles; ALAMOSA, CO; Full-time enrollment: 4,147)
WESTERN STATE COLLEGE COLORADO (about 122 miles; GUNNISON, CO; Full-time enrollment: 2,199)
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX-ALBUQUERQUE NM CAMPUS (about 127 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 3,261)
ALBUQUERQUE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE (about 131 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 9,188)
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-MAIN CAMPUS (about 133 miles; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; Full-time enrollment: 18,780)

Schools

Public high school in Dulce:

DULCE HIGH (Students: 217; Location: 1 HAWK DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Dulce:

DULCE ELEM (Students: 289; Location: 1 HAWK DRIVE; Grades: PK – 05)
DULCE MIDDLE (Students: 166; Location: 1 HAWK DRIVE; Grades: 06 – 08)
JICARILLA DORMITORY (Location: EMPIRE DRIVE 258, PO BOX 1009; Grades: 01 – 12)

Libraries

Library in Dulce:

JICARILLA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $84,481; Location: PO BOX 1100; 6,125 books; 50 audio materials; 200 video materials; 31 serial subscriptions)