Tucumcari, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tucumcari, New Mexico had a total population of 5,160, the 46th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $31,844, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Tucumcari Quick Facts
How Tucumcari 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 | 5,197 | 5,160 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $39,915 | $31,844 | -20.2% |
| Median home value | $56,400 | $64,100 | +13.7% |
How Tucumcari 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+)
Tucumcari Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Quay County
Cities Similar to Tucumcari
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truth or Consequences | 6,019 | $33,788 | $124,600 | 18.3% | 31.7% |
| Rio Communities | 4,925 | $46,035 | $205,900 | 25.1% | 13.4% |
| El Cerro Mission | 5,323 | $49,470 | $115,300 | 6.1% | 25.0% |
| Zuni Pueblo | 5,864 | $45,724 | $81,700 | 7.0% | 29.9% |
| Aztec | 6,150 | $41,977 | $175,000 | 15.7% | 25.9% |
Population Overview
Tucumcari is a small city located in New Mexico, within Quay County. The total population is 5,160. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tucumcari is 44.7 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tucumcari is $31,844. This is 50% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.3%. This is 92% 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 11.3%. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $64,100. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Tucumcari is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tucumcari is Hispanic or Latino, making up 62.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.4%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tucumcari, 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 Tucumcari, New Mexico?
Tucumcari, New Mexico has a population of 5,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tucumcari, NM?
The median household income in Tucumcari is $31,844, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tucumcari, NM?
The poverty rate in Tucumcari is 34.3%. This means approximately 1,744 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tucumcari, New Mexico?
Tucumcari's population is 33.4% White, 0.1% Black, 62.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tucumcari, NM?
The median home value in Tucumcari is $64,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Tucumcari, New Mexico?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Tucumcari hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.