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CITY

Capitan

New Mexico · 1,402 residents (2025 est.) · 3.259 sq mi
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The short version

Capitan has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,864. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 252 residents. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $111,700. With a median age of 57.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 57.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,191
−17%since 2000
from 1,443 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
365 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 443 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
57.6
+36%since 2000
from 42.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,402 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7291K1K2K2K1990201020202024Capitan
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,864
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,188 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,409
+175%since 2000
from $15,062 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.505
+53%since 2010
from 0.330 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services13.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction7.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Information6.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$111,700
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
93.7%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
6.3% rent
Vacancy rate
23.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.9%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.4%
+43.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
−16%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
19
RELATED:See current rent listings in Capitan on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.3%(1,116)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino19.2%(277)
Asian0.5%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score41%(592)
2024
White, non-Hispanic59.4%(707)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino37.8%(450)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.9%(34)
Diversity Score63%(750)
Diversity Score
63
+54%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.6%
+11.0 ptssince 2000
from 83.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.1 min
+31%since 2000
from 21.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.2%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 75.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.9%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.3%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 56.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.0%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.5%
−50.0 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
53.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.7%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
37.4%
+10.8 ptssince 2012
from 26.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.1%
−66.7 ptssince 2013
from 69.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
74.1%
+9.5 ptssince 2017
from 64.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
77.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 75.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
23.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2016
from 24.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Capitan to nearby cities

CAPITAN VS
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Income$55,952+6%
Home value$172,900+55%
Population31,906+2176%
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CAPITAN VS
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Income$51,583−2%
Home value$152,600+37%
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CAPITAN VS
Artesia
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Home value$229,400+105%
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CAPITAN VS
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Home value$152,900+37%
Population8,261+489%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Capitan, New Mexico?

Capitan, New Mexico has about 1,191 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Capitan, New Mexico?

The typical household in Capitan, New Mexico earns about $52,864 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Capitan, New Mexico expensive?

In Capitan, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $111,700.

How educated are people in Capitan, New Mexico?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Capitan, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Capitan, New Mexico?

About 14.4% of people in Capitan, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Capitan, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Capitan, New Mexico has grown since 1990. The population has added about 360 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Capitan, New Mexico: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy