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Las Cruces city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026

2nd Largest2nd most populous city in New Mexico

As of 2026, Las Cruces city, New Mexico has a total population of 112,612, the 2nd largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $55,176, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.0%.

Key Takeaways

Las Cruces city Quick Facts

Population 112,612
Median Household Income $55,176
Median Home Value $217,400
Poverty Rate 22.0%
Unemployment Rate 7.4%
Median Age 32.7 years
Homeownership Rate 55.6%
Affordability Ratio 3.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 37.3%
High School Graduation Rate 88.1%
Diversity Index 53/100
Population 112,612 2nd of 492
Median Income $55,176 average
Poverty Rate 22.0% 77% higher national
Median Home Value $217,400 above average

How Las Cruces city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.4% Unemployment Rate State: 6.0% | National: 5.2%
59.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 55.6%
Renter 44.4%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

53out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 61 | National average: 60

Education

Las Cruces city Rankings in New Mexico

#2 Population of 492
#179 Median Income of 492
#96 Education of 492
#131 Home Value of 492

Cities Similar to Las Cruces city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Rio Rancho city106,533$85,755$273,30033.6%7.8%
Santa Fe city88,224$70,110$411,50045.4%13.9%
Roswell city47,823$50,294$139,20019.6%24.2%
Farmington city46,339$63,745$225,40022.8%19.7%
Clovis city38,153$54,029$160,00021.3%22.3%

Population Overview

Las Cruces city is a major urban center located in New Mexico. The total population is 112,612. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Las Cruces city is 32.7 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Las Cruces city is $55,176. This is 11% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 21% 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 7.4%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $217,400. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $232,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Las Cruces city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 59.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.4%.

Education

37.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% higher 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 88.1%. Notably, 17.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Las Cruces city, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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 Las Cruces city, New Mexico?

Las Cruces city, New Mexico has a population of 112,612 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Las Cruces city, NM?

The median household income in Las Cruces city is $55,176, which is 30% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Las Cruces city, NM?

The poverty rate in Las Cruces city is 22.0%. This means approximately 24,465 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Las Cruces city, New Mexico?

Las Cruces city's population is 33.4% White, 2.2% Black, 59.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Las Cruces city, NM?

The median home value in Las Cruces city is $217,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.

How educated is Las Cruces city, New Mexico?

37.3% of adults (25+) in Las Cruces city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.