Silver City, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Silver City, New Mexico had a total population of 9,536, the 24th largest town in New Mexico, with a median household income of $38,711, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 13.2% is notably above the national average.
Silver City Quick Facts
How Silver City 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 | 9,574 | 9,536 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $39,025 | $38,711 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $160,900 | $182,100 | +13.2% |
How Silver City 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+)
Silver City Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayard | 2,057 | $34,477 | 34.6% | $117,700 |
| Santa Clara | 1,809 | $57,898 | 23.4% | $141,500 |
| Little Walnut Village | 1,445 | $125,175 | 2.8% | $292,700 |
| Arenas Valley | 1,247 | $44,300 | 16.1% | $189,900 |
| Hurley | 1,044 | $36,202 | 17.7% | $89,700 |
| Tyrone | 814 | $47,031 | 22.9% | $166,100 |
| Gila | 366 | N/A | 30.3% | N/A |
| Mimbres | 330 | $66,250 | 3.0% | $179,400 |
| Hanover | 263 | $31,000 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Rosedale | 252 | N/A | 34.5% | $196,500 |
Cities Similar to Silver City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony | 8,767 | $38,132 | $116,000 | 7.6% | 32.9% |
| Socorro | 8,481 | $39,375 | $152,900 | 25.1% | 32.6% |
| Grants | 8,951 | $47,183 | $136,500 | 19.3% | 34.1% |
| Española | 10,473 | $47,667 | $210,800 | 18.3% | 20.4% |
| Shiprock | 7,610 | $35,900 | $104,400 | 11.6% | 34.6% |
Population Overview
Silver City is a small city located in New Mexico, within Grant County. The total population is 9,536. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Silver City is 40.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Silver City is $38,711. This is 40% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 33% 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 13.2%. This is 121% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $182,100. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Silver City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 48.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.1%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
35.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 93.2%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Silver City, 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 Silver City, New Mexico?
Silver City, New Mexico has a population of 9,536 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Silver City, NM?
The median household income in Silver City is $38,711, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Silver City, NM?
The poverty rate in Silver City is 23.7%. This means approximately 2,179 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Silver City, New Mexico?
Silver City's population is 43.1% White, 0.7% Black, 48.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Silver City, NM?
The median home value in Silver City is $182,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Silver City, New Mexico?
35.8% of adults (25+) in Silver City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.