Is New Mexico's population growing or shrinking?
Updated annually
It grew by 9,100 between 2023 and 2024. That’s more than the population of Anthony. Changes in population reflect birth and death rates, immigration patterns, regional shifts, and even the overall health of the economy. New Mexico’s 0.43% annual increase was primarily driven by immigration to the state. In the decade between 2014 and 2024, New Mexico’s population grew by 1.7%.
+9.09K
population change (2023 to 2024)
+0.43%
percent change in population (2023 to 2024)
Since 2000, New Mexico's population increased in 21 of 24 years. The largest increase occurred between 2005 and 2006, when it gained 29,900 residents. The state's largest decline during the 21st century occurred between 2021 and 2022 when it lost 3,500 residents.
New Mexico gained 9,100 residents between 2023 and 2024.
Annual population change
A state’s population is influenced by three factors:
- Natural population change: If births outnumber deaths in a given year, natural population growth is positive. If deaths exceed births, it is negative. Between 2023 to 2024 natural population change was negative in New Mexico, with deaths exceeding births by 1,400.
- Immigration: international migration directly into or out of a state. If more people move in than move out, population change from immigration is positive. If more people move out than move in, it’s negative. New Mexico’s population change from immigration was positive, with about 12,100 more people coming from another country to New Mexico than leaving.
- Domestic migration, moving between states: New Mexico’s population change from domestic migration was negative, with about 1,600 more people leaving for another state than moving in.
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Between 2023 and 2024, immigration was the primary driver of population growth in New Mexico.
Components of population change
Among 32 county equivalents, Sandoval County had the largest population growth in New Mexico, welcoming 1,814 new residents. Bernalillo County lost the most, with a loss of 825 residents.
Lea County led New Mexico in percent population increase between 2023 and 2024 at 2.2%. Quay County ranked last with a 1.8% decline.
Between 2023 and 2024, Lea County gained 2.2% in population, the largest increase in New Mexico.
Population change
Between 2014 and 2024, New Mexico’s population has increased by 1.7%. During that same period, the US population grew by 6.5%. New Mexico ranks 39th among states in population growth over that decade.
New Mexico ranked 39th in population growth between 2014 and 2024.
Percent change in population
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
