Las Cruces, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Las Cruces, New Mexico had a total population of 114,197, the 2nd largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $55,422, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Las Cruces is the 2nd largest city in New Mexico with a population of 114,197.
Las Cruces Quick Facts
How Las Cruces 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 | 112,612 | 114,197 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $55,176 | $55,422 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $217,400 | $231,700 | +6.6% |
How Las Cruces 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Las Cruces Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Doña Ana County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaparral | 18,186 | $46,017 | 27.4% | $109,300 |
| Sunland Park | 17,463 | $62,814 | 22.4% | $215,200 |
| Anthony | 8,767 | $38,132 | 32.9% | $116,000 |
| Santa Teresa | 6,041 | $63,161 | 23.9% | $215,100 |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | 25.7% | $104,400 |
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | 30.2% | N/A |
| San Ysidro | 2,118 | $89,473 | 8.6% | $335,300 |
| Picacho Hills | 2,002 | $120,850 | 5.5% | $456,400 |
| Radium Springs | 1,908 | $43,836 | 15.4% | $136,100 |
| Mesilla | 1,717 | $74,750 | 4.5% | $301,400 |
Cities Similar to Las Cruces
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Rancho | 108,515 | $89,596 | $310,200 | 34.0% | 7.4% |
| Santa Fe | 89,019 | $73,482 | $444,900 | 47.8% | 12.9% |
| Roswell | 47,638 | $51,583 | $152,600 | 18.6% | 26.0% |
| Farmington | 46,314 | $68,784 | $233,000 | 26.2% | 17.4% |
| Clovis | 37,942 | $54,820 | $169,400 | 23.5% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Las Cruces is a major urban center located in New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 114,197. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Las Cruces is 33.0 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Las Cruces is $55,422. This is 13% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 27% 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 7.0%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $231,700. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Las Cruces is Hispanic or Latino, making up 60.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.6%.
Education
36.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% higher 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 88.7%. Notably, 16.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico?
Las Cruces, New Mexico has a population of 114,197 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Las Cruces, NM?
The median household income in Las Cruces is $55,422, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Las Cruces, NM?
The poverty rate in Las Cruces is 22.6%. This means approximately 25,539 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Las Cruces, New Mexico?
Las Cruces's population is 32.6% White, 1.9% Black, 60.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Las Cruces, NM?
The median home value in Las Cruces is $231,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Las Cruces, New Mexico?
36.7% of adults (25+) in Las Cruces hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.