Tucumcari city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Tucumcari city, New Mexico has a total population of 5,197, the 45th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $39,915, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
Tucumcari city Quick Facts
How Tucumcari city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tucumcari city Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Cities Similar to Tucumcari city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Communities city | 4,924 | $46,223 | $200,000 | 20.1% | 15.1% |
| El Cerro Mission CDP | 5,101 | $49,719 | $101,000 | 7.5% | 26.2% |
| Zuni Pueblo CDP | 6,132 | $43,021 | $79,200 | 5.7% | 32.9% |
| Aztec city | 6,177 | $42,699 | $164,700 | 17.9% | 24.7% |
| Lee Acres CDP | 4,463 | $50,846 | $182,200 | 16.9% | 26.8% |
Population Overview
Tucumcari city is a small city located in New Mexico. The total population is 5,197. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tucumcari city is 40.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tucumcari city is $39,915. This is 36% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.2%. This is 73% 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 4.8%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $56,400. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Tucumcari city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tucumcari city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 63.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.4%.
Education
19.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower 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 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tucumcari 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Tucumcari city, New Mexico?
Tucumcari city, New Mexico has a population of 5,197 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tucumcari city, NM?
The median household income in Tucumcari city is $39,915, which is 49% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Tucumcari city, NM?
The poverty rate in Tucumcari city is 31.2%. This means approximately 1,561 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tucumcari city, New Mexico?
Tucumcari city's population is 30.4% White, 1.8% Black, 63.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tucumcari city, NM?
The median home value in Tucumcari city is $56,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Tucumcari city, New Mexico?
19.7% of adults (25+) in Tucumcari city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.