Carlsbad city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Carlsbad city, New Mexico has a total population of 31,813, the 10th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $78,277, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Carlsbad city Quick Facts
How Carlsbad city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carlsbad city Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Cities Similar to Carlsbad city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo city | 31,063 | $52,515 | $163,600 | 25.2% | 17.7% |
| Hobbs city | 39,887 | $65,691 | $180,700 | 16.6% | 20.5% |
| South Valley CDP | 36,605 | $51,062 | $205,200 | 14.7% | 19.2% |
| Clovis city | 38,153 | $54,029 | $160,000 | 21.3% | 22.3% |
| Farmington city | 46,339 | $63,745 | $225,400 | 22.8% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Carlsbad city is a mid-sized community located in New Mexico. The total population is 31,813. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlsbad city is 37.4 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlsbad city is $78,277. This is 26% higher than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $187,900. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Carlsbad city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carlsbad city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.9%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlsbad city, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carlsbad city, New Mexico?
Carlsbad city, New Mexico has a population of 31,813 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlsbad city, NM?
The median household income in Carlsbad city is $78,277, which is about average the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Carlsbad city, NM?
The poverty rate in Carlsbad city is 13.0%. This means approximately 4,057 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlsbad city, New Mexico?
Carlsbad city's population is 39.9% White, 2.2% Black, 53.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlsbad city, NM?
The median home value in Carlsbad city is $187,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Carlsbad city, New Mexico?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Carlsbad city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.