Lovington, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lovington, New Mexico had a total population of 11,498, the 21st largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $68,821, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Lovington Quick Facts
How Lovington 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 | 11,444 | 11,498 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $67,284 | $68,821 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $162,900 | $166,100 | +2.0% |
How Lovington 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+)
Lovington Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Lea County
Cities Similar to Lovington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artesia | 12,576 | $74,915 | $229,400 | 19.9% | 15.7% |
| North Valley | 10,455 | $61,498 | $302,700 | 27.6% | 17.6% |
| Portales | 11,968 | $50,555 | $133,400 | 25.4% | 28.1% |
| Bernalillo | 9,086 | $63,880 | $255,500 | 22.5% | 15.9% |
| Española | 10,473 | $47,667 | $210,800 | 18.3% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Lovington is a small city located in New Mexico, within Lea County. The total population is 11,498. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lovington is 32.0 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.4 years. With 32.7% of the population under 18, Lovington has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lovington is $68,821. This is 7% higher than the state median of $64,059. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.0%. This is 40% 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 7.3%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $166,100. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Lovington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lovington is Hispanic or Latino, making up 69.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.6%.
Education
8.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 74.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lovington, 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 Lovington, New Mexico?
Lovington, New Mexico has a population of 11,498 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lovington, NM?
The median household income in Lovington is $68,821, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lovington, NM?
The poverty rate in Lovington is 25.0%. This means approximately 2,799 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lovington, New Mexico?
Lovington's population is 26.6% White, 0.9% Black, 69.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lovington, NM?
The median home value in Lovington is $166,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Lovington, New Mexico?
8.4% of adults (25+) in Lovington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.