Chaves County, New Mexico Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Chaves County is located in New Mexico with a total population of 64,446. It is the 10th most populous county out of 33 in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chaves County is 36.9 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chaves County is $52,029. This is 16% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $141,900. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Chaves County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Chaves County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 57.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.1%.

Education

18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 80.9%.