Carlsbad, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlsbad, New Mexico had a total population of 31,746, the 10th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $72,306, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Carlsbad Quick Facts
How Carlsbad 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 | 31,813 | 31,746 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $78,277 | $72,306 | -7.6% |
| Median home value | $187,900 | $200,000 | +6.4% |
How Carlsbad 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carlsbad Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Eddy County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artesia | 12,576 | $74,915 | 15.7% | $229,400 |
| Loving | 1,357 | $43,884 | 20.1% | $171,600 |
| Atoka | 1,347 | $83,704 | 3.3% | $116,200 |
| La Huerta | 1,288 | $78,861 | 8.8% | $345,100 |
| Happy Valley | 845 | $62,215 | 28.8% | $200,000 |
| Livingston Wheeler | 460 | $79,329 | 6.1% | $153,000 |
| Malaga | 309 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Morningside | 103 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Loco Hills | 72 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Hope | 49 | $111,250 | 0.0% | $113,600 |
Cities Similar to Carlsbad
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo | 31,307 | $55,952 | $172,900 | 25.5% | 16.6% |
| South Valley | 37,120 | $58,224 | $224,300 | 15.1% | 18.5% |
| Hobbs | 40,252 | $64,021 | $191,300 | 17.3% | 19.7% |
| Clovis | 37,942 | $54,820 | $169,400 | 23.5% | 21.7% |
| Farmington | 46,314 | $68,784 | $233,000 | 26.2% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
Carlsbad is a mid-sized community located in New Mexico, within Eddy County. The total population is 31,746. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlsbad is 36.7 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlsbad is $72,306. This is 13% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $200,000. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Carlsbad is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carlsbad is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.6%.
Education
19.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlsbad, 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 Carlsbad, New Mexico?
Carlsbad, New Mexico has a population of 31,746 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlsbad, NM?
The median household income in Carlsbad is $72,306, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlsbad, NM?
The poverty rate in Carlsbad is 13.8%. This means approximately 4,281 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlsbad, New Mexico?
Carlsbad's population is 39.6% White, 2.2% Black, 53.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlsbad, NM?
The median home value in Carlsbad is $200,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Carlsbad, New Mexico?
19.2% of adults (25+) in Carlsbad hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.