White Rock, New Mexico

White Rock Canyon, viewed from the White Rock Overlook. The trees on the banks of the Rio Grande display their fall colors.

Largely undeveloped White Rock Canyon, on the eastern edge of the community, provides a wilderness recreation area heavily used by residents of White Rock and Santa Fe. The canyon was carved through basalt and tuff by the south-flowing Rio Grande. The canyon runs from the Otowi Suspension Bridge in the north and to Cochiti Dam in the south, with many smaller tributary canyons such Los Alamos, Mortandad, Water, Ancho, Frijoles, and Capulin Canyon. White Rock is situated on a portion of the west side of the canyon along with Bandelier National Monument, a section of Los Alamos National Laboratory, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo, and Santa Fe National Forest. Across the river to the east rises the Caja del Rio.

For a few decades the Chili Line, a narrow gauge railroad, ran on the east bank of the river as far south as the mouth of Diablo Canyon; some day the Rio Grande Trail may occupy the abandoned right of way.

Averaging 1,000 feet (300 m) deep, the canyon provides spectacular vistas, rugged terrain and home to rare plant species as well as endangered animal species. Along the rim of the canyon are many basalt cliffs that are used by rock climbers.[7]

• Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) one way
• Elevation: 6,300 to 6,400 feet (2,000 m)
• Elevation Change: 100 feet (30 m)
• Fitness Level: Easy
• Seasons: All seasons
• Trail Surface: Rocks and packed dirt
• Hazards: Cliffs, rattlesnakes

The Rio Grande at the end of the Blue Dot Trail, looking south

The trailhead begins about 100 yards southwest of the overlook viewing platform, and is accessible from a small parking lot at the end of the last side road branching east off Overlook Road. Partway to the river a meadow lies on top of a large Toreva block bench (a large piece of terrain which has moved downhill as a unit). At the midway point, the material underfoot changes from dark sharp basaltic rocks to light rounded granitic stones. The trail passes a large spring seeping from scree as the trail nears the Rio Grande. This water and water from the river are not safe to drink.

• Distance: 1.1-mile (1.8 km) one way
• Elevation: 5,450 to 6,250 feet (1,900 m)
• Elevation Change: 800 feet (240 m)
• Fitness Level: Strenuous, but short
• Seasons: All seasons, except after heavy snow
• Trail Surface: Rocky and steep trail
• Hazards: Cliffs, loose footing, swift river

This petroglyph of a Mountain Lion appears along the upper section of the Red Dot trail.

This trail, also known as Pajarito Springs Trail, is accessible from Piedra Loop in La Senda. Numerous petroglyphs appear along the way, unseen by many hikers concentrating on their footing on this very steep and challenging trail. The rock drawings are varied in style, from Kokopelli to abstract and geometric designs. The local Tewa may have imported some designs from Native Americans of the Great Plains. The Pajarito Springs are several in number and combine to form a small creek flowing into a pool via a small waterfall. The trail continues to the Rio Grande.

• Distance: 1.0-mile (1.6 km) one way
• Elevation: 5,500 to 6,300 feet (1,900 m)
• Elevation Change: 800 feet (240 m)
• Fitness Level: Strenuous, but short
• Seasons: All seasons, except after heavy snow
• Trail Surface: Very rocky trail
• Hazards: Cliffs, loose footing, swift river

• Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km) one way
• Elevation: 5,400 to 5,500 feet (1,700 m)
• Elevation Change: 100 feet (30 m)
• Fitness Level: Easy
• Skill Level: Sections of the trail require route-finding ability
• Seasons: All seasons, except after heavy snow
• Trail Surface: Sand, river cobbles and rocks
• Hazards: Swift river

The 2020 United States census[9] counted 5,852 people, 2,062 households, and 1,537 families in White Rock. The population density was 827.7 per square mile (319.8/km²). There were 2,302 housing units at an average density of 325.6 per square mile (125.8/km²). The racial makeup was 79.17% (4,633) white, 0.41% (24) black or African-American, 0.91% (53) Native American, 3.01% (176) Asian, 0.03% (2) Pacific Islander, 2.77% (162) from other races, and 13.7% (802) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 16.0% (936) of the population.

Of the 2,062 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18; 67.6% were married couples living together; 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 23.6% consisted of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.3.

27.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 95.8 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[10] estimates show that the median household income was $128,723 (with a margin of error of +/- $10,880) and the median family income $146,228 (+/- $18,106). Males had a median income of $90,054 (+/- $24,391) versus $59,974 (+/- $11,185) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $66,250 (+/- $4,418). Approximately, 2.3% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those ages 65 or over.

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 6,045 people, 2,226 households, and 1,860 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 841.9 inhabitants per square mile (325.1/km²). There were 2,282 housing units at an average density of 317.8 per square mile (122.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.75% White, 0.25% African American, 0.53% Native American, 2.68% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.59% of the population.

There were 2,226 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.2% were married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 34.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $92,813, and the median income for a family was $96,716. Males had a median income of $77,216 versus $44,145 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $36,288. About 1.1% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

• playground
• 1 youth baseball field (non-lighted)
• 2 youth baseball fields (lighted)
• 5 softball fields (non-lighted)
• 1 softball field (lighted)
• 4 soccer fields (non-lighted)
• 3 independent picnic areas
• 1 dog park
• 1 rc car track
• 1 area viewing platform (the overlook)

• playground
• 2 full basketball courts
• 3 tennis courts
• 1 skateboard park
• Disc Golf Course

• playground
• 1 full basketball court
• 2 tennis courts
• 1 soccer field (non-lighted)

• playground

• playground