Fastest growing cities in New Mexico
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in New Mexico using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Lovington
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,024
--- #3,264 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 9.6%
--- #157 among cities in New Mexico, #9,043 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 11,668
--- #21 largest city in New Mexico, #3,601 largest city nationwide
#19. Santa Teresa
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,084
--- #3,155 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 27.4%
--- #110 among cities in New Mexico, #4,220 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,044
--- #45 largest city in New Mexico, #6,500 largest city nationwide
#18. Alamogordo
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,145
--- #3,066 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 3.8%
--- #192 among cities in New Mexico, #12,354 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 30,898
--- #11 largest city in New Mexico, #1,455 largest city nationwide
#17. Los Alamos
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,149
--- #3,056 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 9.6%
--- #158 among cities in New Mexico, #9,077 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 13,179
--- #17 largest city in New Mexico, #3,262 largest city nationwide
#16. Thoreau
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,410
--- #2,681 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 147.3%
--- #31 among cities in New Mexico, #523 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 2,367
--- #74 largest city in New Mexico, #9,972 largest city nationwide
#14. North Hobbs
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,548
--- #2,551 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 31.1%
--- #98 among cities in New Mexico, #3,708 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 6,529
--- #34 largest city in New Mexico, #5,534 largest city nationwide
#15. La Plata
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 1,548
--- #2,550 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 277.9%
--- #12 among cities in New Mexico, #193 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 2,105
--- #80 largest city in New Mexico, #10,594 largest city nationwide
#13. Artesia
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,814
--- #2,294 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 16.4%
--- #138 among cities in New Mexico, #6,538 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 12,875
--- #19 largest city in New Mexico, #3,333 largest city nationwide
#12. Farmington
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,974
--- #2,184 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.4%
--- #187 among cities in New Mexico, #11,976 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 46,624
--- #6 largest city in New Mexico, #927 largest city nationwide
#11. Clovis
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,350
--- #1,911 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.5%
--- #176 among cities in New Mexico, #10,667 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 38,567
--- #8 largest city in New Mexico, #1,137 largest city nationwide
#10. Edgewood
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,510
--- #1,811 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 68.5%
--- #53 among cities in New Mexico, #1,475 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 6,174
--- #38 largest city in New Mexico, #5,736 largest city nationwide
#9. Sunland Park
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,870
--- #1,635 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 20.7%
--- #131 among cities in New Mexico, #5,442 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 16,702
--- #14 largest city in New Mexico, #2,670 largest city nationwide
#8. Chaparral
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,011
--- #1,579 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.2%
--- #124 among cities in New Mexico, #5,124 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 16,551
--- #15 largest city in New Mexico, #2,692 largest city nationwide
#7. Los Lunas
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,368
--- #1,417 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 24.3%
--- #118 among cities in New Mexico, #4,715 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,242
--- #13 largest city in New Mexico, #2,579 largest city nationwide
#6. Carlsbad
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,540
--- #798 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 25.4%
--- #113 among cities in New Mexico, #4,506 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 32,238
--- #10 largest city in New Mexico, #1,388 largest city nationwide
#5. Hobbs
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,568
--- #692 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 23.0%
--- #121 among cities in New Mexico, #4,971 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 40,508
--- #7 largest city in New Mexico, #1,076 largest city nationwide
#4. Las Cruces
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +18,488
--- #239 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.9%
--- #133 among cities in New Mexico, #5,649 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 111,385
--- #2 largest city in New Mexico, #285 largest city nationwide
#3. Santa Fe
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +19,917
--- #207 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 29.5%
--- #102 among cities in New Mexico, #3,909 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 87,505
--- #4 largest city in New Mexico, #411 largest city nationwide
#2. Rio Rancho
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,990
--- #167 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 28.4%
--- #105 among cities in New Mexico, #4,064 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 104,046
--- #3 largest city in New Mexico, #315 largest city nationwide
#1. Albuquerque
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +33,156
--- #99 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.2%
--- #177 among cities in New Mexico, #10,824 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 564,559
--- #1 largest city in New Mexico, #31 largest city nationwide
