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CITY

Carlsbad

New Mexico · 32,524 residents (2025 est.) · 31.652 sq mi
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The short version

Carlsbad has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,306. Population has grown 24% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $200,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 85%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
31,746
+24%since 2000
from 25,625 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,003 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 810 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.7
−3%since 2000
from 37.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:32,524 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
24K26K29K31K33K1990201020202024Carlsbad
202432K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,306
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,658 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,402
+133%since 2000
from $16,496 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.5%
+26.1 ptssince 2009
from 23.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.451
+3%since 2010
from 0.439 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing15.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing14.4%
US avg: 0.4%
Information12.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade10%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade3.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$200,000
+85%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,236
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 71.5% in 2000
29.8% rent
Vacancy rate
12.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+43%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
64
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carlsbad on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic58.8%(15,070)
Black1.9%(488)
Hispanic / Latino36.7%(9,417)
Asian0.7%(168)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.5%(16,017)
2024
White, non-Hispanic39.6%(12,564)
Black2.2%(689)
Hispanic / Latino53.5%(16,981)
Asian0.8%(265)
Other3.9%(1,247)
Diversity Score69.4%(22,030)
Diversity Score
69
+11%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.2%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 77.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.3 min
+60%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.5%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.3%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 62.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.1%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.8%
−31.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.4%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
47.6%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
8.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.6%
−41.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2012
from 18.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.2%
−73.1 ptssince 2013
from 84.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.3%
+6.6 ptssince 2017
from 78.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
69.5%
−6.0 ptssince 2016
from 75.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
29.5%
+6.7 ptssince 2016
from 22.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Carlsbad to nearby cities

CARLSBAD VS
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Home value$229,400+15%
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CARLSBAD VS
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Home value$166,100−17%
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CARLSBAD VS
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CARLSBAD VS
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Home value$152,600−24%
Population46,878+44%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

Carlsbad, New Mexico has about 31,746 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Carlsbad, New Mexico earns about $72,306 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Carlsbad, New Mexico expensive?

In Carlsbad, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $200,000, and the typical rent is about $1,236 a month.

How educated are people in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

About 19.2% of adults age 25 and over in Carlsbad, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

About 13.8% of people in Carlsbad, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Carlsbad, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Carlsbad, New Mexico has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,850 residents, a change of about 28 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 →

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