Capitan, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Capitan, New Mexico had a total population of 1,191, the 142nd largest village in New Mexico, with a median household income of $52,864, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Capitan Quick Facts
How Capitan Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,262 | 1,191 | -5.6% |
| Median household income | $50,299 | $52,864 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $128,800 | $111,700 | -13.3% |
How Capitan Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Capitan Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso | 7,699 | $52,736 | 20.6% | $243,800 |
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | 40.5% | $154,000 |
| Carrizozo | 854 | $27,344 | 24.9% | $84,700 |
| Corona | 168 | N/A | 20.8% | $88,300 |
| Nogal | 80 | N/A | 12.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Capitan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iyanbito | 1,233 | $52,500 | $49,300 | 13.7% | 32.2% |
| Los Luceros | 1,136 | N/A | N/A | 7.5% | 3.4% |
| Gamerco | 1,176 | $48,977 | $99,600 | 6.7% | 52.0% |
| Ohkay Owingeh | 1,194 | $47,067 | N/A | 21.6% | 23.6% |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | $210,100 | 11.6% | 27.5% |
Population Overview
Capitan is a small community located in New Mexico, within Lincoln County. The total population is 1,191. It ranks as the 142nd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Capitan is 57.6 years. This is 46% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Capitan is $52,864. This is 17% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $111,700. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Capitan is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Capitan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (59.4% vs 36.0%).
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Capitan, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Capitan, New Mexico?
Capitan, New Mexico has a population of 1,191 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Capitan, NM?
The median household income in Capitan is $52,864, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Capitan, NM?
The poverty rate in Capitan is 14.4%. This means approximately 172 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Capitan, New Mexico?
Capitan's population is 59.4% White, 0.0% Black, 37.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Capitan, NM?
The median home value in Capitan is $111,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Capitan, New Mexico?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Capitan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.