Curry County, New Mexico Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Curry County is located in New Mexico with a total population of 47,932. It is the 12th most populous county out of 33 in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Curry County is 31.9 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Curry County is $56,259. This is 9% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 15% 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 7.7%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $160,800. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Curry County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Curry County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (4.8% vs 1.8%).

Education

21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 82.2%.