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CITY · 2020 ACS

Carlsbad

New Mexico · 32,238 residents · 31.652 sq mi
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The short version

Carlsbad has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $69,786. Population has grown 26% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $150,300. At a median age of 34.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 36% more than the New Mexico median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 69%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,238
+26%since 2000
from 25,625 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,019 / sq mi
+26%since 2000
from 810 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.7
−8%since 2000
from 37.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K26K29K31K33K1990201020202024Carlsbad
202432K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$69,786
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,658 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,614
+98%since 2000
from $16,496 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
46.0%
+22.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.7%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing14.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing13.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade3.4%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$150,300
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,050
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
66.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 71.5% in 2000
34.0% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+11%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic42.3%(13,636)
Black1.9%(622)
Hispanic / Latino50.6%(16,304)
Asian1.3%(432)
Other2.3%(736)
Diversity Score68.8%(22,170)
Diversity Score
69
+10%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.4%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.9%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+49%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.6%
+10.2 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 7.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 62.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.3%
−32.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
48.1%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
5.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.4%
−74.9 ptssince 2013
from 84.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Carlsbad to nearby cities

CARLSBAD VS
Artesia
Income$74,915+7%
Home value$229,400+53%
Population12,735−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARLSBAD VS
Lovington
Income$68,821−1%
Home value$166,100+11%
Population11,620−64%
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CARLSBAD VS
Hobbs
Income$64,021−8%
Home value$191,300+27%
Population40,863+26%
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CARLSBAD VS
Roswell
Income$51,583−26%
Home value$152,600+2%
Population46,878+44%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

Carlsbad, New Mexico has about 32,238 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Carlsbad, New Mexico earns about $69,786 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 $150,300, and the typical rent is about $1,050 a month.

How educated are people in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

About 19.4% 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 14.7% 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 7,342 residents, a change of about 29 percent over that period.

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

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