This article, the thirty-first in a 50-state series, lists the largest cities in New Mexico by population size and provides demographic details for each city: total population, population by age group, racial composition of the population, land area, and population density. For purposes of this article, cities are incorporated municipalities and census-designated places (CDPs).
After reading “Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011),” return to this link to read “Best Places to Live in New Mexico (2011) .”
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1. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Albuquerque, NM
Located in the northwestern part of central New Mexico, Albuquerque is the largest city in the state with an estimated population of 545,852.
Grouped by age, 24.0% of the population is under 18, 10.6% is 18 to 24, 28.1% is 25 to 44, 25.2% is 45 to 64, and 12.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 35.1.
The racial composition of the city is 69.7% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 4.6% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 15.0% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. The population is 46.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 180.6 square miles. The city’s population density is 3,022 people per square mile.
2. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Las Cruces, NM
Situated in the central part of southern New Mexico, Las Cruces is the second largest city in the state with an estimated population of 97,618.
Classified by age, 24.3% of the population is under 18, 13.8% is 18 to 24, 26.0% is 25 to 44, 22.3% is 45 to 64, and 13.6% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 32.4.
The racial complexion of the city is 75.3% White, 2.4% Black or African American, 1.7% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 15.3% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. The population is 56.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 76.3 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,279 people per square mile.
3. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Rio Rancho, NM
Located in the northwestern part of central New Mexico, Rio Rancho is the third largest city in the state with an estimated population of 87,521.
Categorized by age, 28.1% of the population is under 18, 7.8% is 18 to 24, 27.2% is 25 to 44, 26.1% is 45 to 64, and 10.8% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 35.9.
The racial profile of the city is 76.0% White, 2.9% Black or African American, 3.2% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 11.1% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. The population is 36.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 73.4 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,192 people per square mile.
4. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Santa Fe, NM
Situated in the northern part of central New Mexico, Santa Fe is the state’s capital and fourth largest city with an estimated population of 67,947.
Sorted by age, 18.9% of the population is under 18, 7.5% is 18 to 24, 24.8% is 25 to 44, 31.2% is 45 to 64, and 17.6% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 44.0.
The racial makeup of the city is 78.9% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 2.1% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 12.8% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. The population is 48.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 37.3 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,822 people per square mile.
5. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Roswell, NM
Located in southeastern New Mexico, Roswell is the fifth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 48,366.
Grouped by age, 28.3% of the population is under 18, 10.7% is 18 to 24, 23.3% is 25 to 44, 23.2% is 45 to 64, and 14.5% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 33.5.
The racial composition of the city is 69.9% White, 2.5% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 22.1% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. The population is 53.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 28.9 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,674 people per square mile.
6. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Farmington, NM
Located in northwestern New Mexico, Farmington is the sixth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 45,877.
Arranged by age, 27.9% of the population is under 18, 9.9% is 18 to 24, 26.8% is 25 to 44, 24.3% is 45 to 64, and 11.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 32.7.
The racial mix of the city is 62.8% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 22.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.2% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. The population is 22.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 26.6 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,725 people per square mile.
7. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): South Valley, NM
Located in the northwestern part of central New Mexico, South Valley is the seventh largest city in the state with an estimated population of 40,976.
Grouped by age, 26.8% of the population is under 18, 9.9% is 18 to 24, 24.9% is 25 to 44, 26.2% is 45 to 64, and 12.2% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 35.5.
The racial composition of the city is 59.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 2.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 32.7% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. The population is 80.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 29.5 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,389 people per square mile.
8. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Clovis, NM
Situated in eastern New Mexico, Clovis is the eighth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 37,775.
Classified by age, 28.6% of the population is under 18, 10.4% is 18 to 24, 27.1% is 25 to 44, 22.2% is 45 to 64, and 11.7% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 31.8.
The racial complexion of the city is 68.5% White, 6.9% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 17.7% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. The population is 41.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 22.4 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,686 people per square mile.
9. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Hobbs, NM
Located in southeastern New Mexico, Hobbs is the ninth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 34,122.
Categorized by age, 29.8% of the population is under 18, 10.7% is 18 to 24, 27.7% is 25 to 44, 21.7% is 45 to 64, and 10.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 30.8.
The racial profile of the city is 73.0% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 16.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. The population is 53.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 18.9 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,805 people per square mile.
10. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Alamogordo, NM
Situated in southern New Mexico, Alamogordo is the tenth largest city with an estimated population of 30,403.
Sorted by age, 23.5% of the population is under 18, 9.5% is 18 to 24, 25.3% is 25 to 44, 24.8% is 45 to 64, and 16.9% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 37.4.
The racial makeup of the city is 76.8% White, 5.4% Black or African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 9.3% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. The population is 30.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 19.3 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,575 people per square mile.
11. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Carlsbad, NM
Located in southeastern New Mexico, Carlsbad is the eleventh largest city in the state with an estimated population of 26,138.
Grouped by age, 25.6% of the population is under 18, 9.0% is 18 to 24, 23.7% is 25 to 44, 26.1% is 45 to 64, and 15.6% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 37.6.
The racial composition of the city is 77.4% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 15.3% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. The population is 42.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 28.4 square miles. The city’s population density is 920 people per square mile.
12. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Gallup, NM
Located in northwestern New Mexico, Gallup is the twelfth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 21,678.
Arranged by age, 30.5% of the population is under 18, 9.8% is 18 to 24, 25.3% is 25 to 44, 23.9% is 45 to 64, and 10.5% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 31.9.
The racial mix of the city is 35.2% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 43.8% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 12.0% from other races, and 5.8% from two or more races. The population is 31.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 13.4 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,618 people per square mile.
13. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Deming, NM
Located in southwestern New Mexico, Deming is the thirteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 14,855.
Arranged by age, 27.6% of the population is under 18, 9.9% is 18 to 24, 22.3% is 25 to 44, 21.8% is 45 to 64, and 18.4% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 36.0.
The racial mix of the city is 76.6% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 17.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. The population is 68.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 9.3 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,597 people per square mile.
14. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Los Lunas, NM
Located in the western part of central New Mexico, Los Lunas is the fourteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 14,835.
Grouped by age, 27.7% of the population is under 18, 8.9% is 18 to 24, 26.7% is 25 to 44, 25.6% is 45 to 64, and 11.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 34.7.
The racial composition of the city is 72.1% White, 2.0% Black or African American, 2.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 18.2% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. The population is 57.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 10.0 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,484 people per square mile.
15. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Chaparral, NM
Situated in southern New Mexico, Chaparral is the fifteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 14,631.
Classified by age, 35.6% of the population is under 18, 11.0% is 18 to 24, 23.7% is 25 to 44, 22.4% is 45 to 64, and 7.3% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 27.6.
The racial complexion of the city is 58.5% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 36.3% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. The population is 84.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 38.8 square miles. The city’s population density is 377 people per square mile.
16. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Sunland Park, NM
Located in southern New Mexico, Sunland Park is the sixteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 14,106.
Categorized by age, 33.2% of the population is under 18, 11.8% is 18 to 24, 24.7% is 25 to 44, 21.4% is 45 to 64, and 8.9% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 28.8.
The racial profile of the city is 74.3% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 22.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. The population is 95.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 10.6 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,331 people per square mile.
17. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Las Vegas, NM
Situated in the northern part of central New Mexico, Las Vegas is the seventeenth largest city with an estimated population of 13,753.
Sorted by age, 21.5% of the population is under 18, 14.1% is 18 to 24, 22.3% is 25 to 44, 27.4% is 45 to 64, and 14.7% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 37.6.
The racial makeup of the city is 64.9% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 2.1% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 26.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. The population is 80.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 7.5 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,834 people per square mile.
18. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Portales, NM
Located in eastern New Mexico, Portales is the eighteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 12,280.
Grouped by age, 25.6% of the population is under 18, 20.6% is 18 to 24, 24.5% is 25 to 44, 18.1% is 45 to 64, and 11.2% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 27.1.
The racial composition of the city is 74.7% White, 2.5% Black or African American, 1.6% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 16.1% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. The population is 43.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 6.9 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,780 people per square mile.
19. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): Los Alamos, NM
Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos is the nineteenth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 12,019.
Arranged by age, 23.7% of the population is under 18, 4.6% is 18 to 24, 24.3% is 25 to 44, 33.4% is 45 to 64, and 14.0% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 43.2.
The racial mix of the city is 85.9% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 7.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. The population is 14.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 10.9 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,103 people per square mile.
20. Largest Cities in New Mexico (2011): North Valley, NM
Situated in the northwestern part of central New Mexico, North Valley is the twentieth largest city with an estimated population of 11,333.
Sorted by age, 21.9% of the population is under 18, 8.1% is 18 to 24, 21.3% is 25 to 44, 31.6% is 45 to 64, and 17.1% is 65 or older. The median age of the population is 44.1.
The racial makeup of the city is 70.9% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 3.0% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 20.7% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. The population is 59.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The land area of the city is 7.2 square miles. The city’s population density is 1,574 people per square mile.
Source(s):
“American Fact Finder,” U.S. Census Bureau
“Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000,” U.S. Census Bureau
