Gallup, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gallup, New Mexico had a total population of 21,023, the 12th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $58,303, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Gallup Quick Facts
How Gallup 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 | 21,333 | 21,023 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $57,466 | $58,303 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $134,600 | $165,200 | +22.7% |
How Gallup 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+)
Gallup Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in McKinley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | 29.9% | $81,700 |
| Crownpoint | 2,882 | $51,011 | 31.5% | $61,100 |
| Navajo | 2,181 | $32,208 | 51.6% | N/A |
| Thoreau | 1,973 | $45,469 | 27.5% | $95,200 |
| Church Rock | 1,381 | $35,083 | 33.7% | $39,100 |
| Iyanbito | 1,233 | $52,500 | 32.2% | $49,300 |
| Gamerco | 1,176 | $48,977 | 52.0% | $99,600 |
| Black Rock | 1,125 | $46,000 | 38.9% | $101,100 |
| Prewitt | 1,027 | $19,074 | 54.4% | N/A |
| Rock Springs | 1,013 | $97,155 | 10.9% | $18,000 |
Cities Similar to Gallup
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas | 18,618 | $62,330 | $262,900 | 25.9% | 18.2% |
| Sunland Park | 17,463 | $62,814 | $215,200 | 21.8% | 22.4% |
| Chaparral | 18,186 | $46,017 | $109,300 | 10.5% | 27.4% |
| Alamogordo | 31,307 | $55,952 | $172,900 | 25.5% | 16.6% |
| Carlsbad | 31,746 | $72,306 | $200,000 | 19.2% | 13.8% |
Population Overview
Gallup is a small city located in New Mexico, within McKinley County. The total population is 21,023. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gallup is 34.4 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 30.4% of the population under 18, Gallup has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gallup is $58,303. This is 9% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 50% 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 5.7%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $165,200. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Gallup is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gallup is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 17.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (17.9%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (23.8%) is well below the state average of 48.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.6%).
Education
23.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gallup, 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.
Free data download: Get all New Mexico city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gallup, New Mexico?
Gallup, New Mexico has a population of 21,023 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gallup, NM?
The median household income in Gallup is $58,303, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gallup, NM?
The poverty rate in Gallup is 26.8%. This means approximately 5,509 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gallup, New Mexico?
Gallup's population is 17.9% White, 1.2% Black, 23.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gallup, NM?
The median home value in Gallup is $165,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Gallup, New Mexico?
23.5% of adults (25+) in Gallup hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.