Dexter, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dexter, New Mexico had a total population of 1,128, the 148th largest town in New Mexico, with a median household income of $43,846, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 41.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (41.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
Dexter Quick Facts
How Dexter 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 | 1,144 | 1,128 | -1.4% |
| Median household income | $61,118 | $43,846 | -28.3% |
| Median home value | $95,200 | $97,500 | +2.4% |
How Dexter 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dexter Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Chaves County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roswell | 47,638 | $51,583 | 26.0% | $152,600 |
| Hagerman | 849 | $64,674 | 14.4% | $109,600 |
| Midway | 541 | $44,258 | 20.7% | $178,400 |
| Lake Arthur | 478 | $76,429 | 7.5% | $116,100 |
Cities Similar to Dexter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Luceros | 1,136 | N/A | N/A | 7.5% | 3.4% |
| San Felipe Pueblo | 1,119 | N/A | $210,100 | 11.6% | 27.5% |
| El Rito | 1,102 | N/A | $332,300 | 13.4% | 54.4% |
| Black Rock | 1,125 | $46,000 | $101,100 | 15.9% | 38.9% |
| Mountainair | 1,178 | $43,021 | $95,300 | 16.8% | 22.1% |
Population Overview
Dexter is a small community located in New Mexico, within Chaves County. The total population is 1,128. It ranks as the 148th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dexter is 31.5 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 31.1% of the population under 18, Dexter has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dexter is $43,846. This is 32% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 41.3%. This is 132% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. 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 10.7%. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $97,500. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Dexter is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dexter has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (92.0% vs 48.4%).
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 63.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dexter, 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 Dexter, New Mexico?
Dexter, New Mexico has a population of 1,128 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dexter, NM?
The median household income in Dexter is $43,846, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dexter, NM?
The poverty rate in Dexter is 41.3%. This means approximately 466 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dexter, New Mexico?
Dexter's population is 7.1% White, 0.0% Black, 92.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dexter, NM?
The median home value in Dexter is $97,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Dexter, New Mexico?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Dexter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.