City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Carlsbad, NM

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Carlsbad - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

31,813
Residents
$78,277
Median income
$187,900
Median home
$1,188
Median rent (state)

Carlsbad - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Carlsbad lands in the 60th percentile for household income and the 12th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

60th
percentile, household income
39th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
12th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Carlsbad, NM

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 31,813 residents in Carlsbad, a small city within New Mexico. Median household income here is $78,277 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.0%. Home values in Carlsbad run a median of $187,900, and the median resident age is 37.4 years. About 20.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 127 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 40% from five years earlier. Carlsbad's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3315.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 64.4°F with 12.6 inches of precipitation per year and 2.7 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Mexico at 92.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,188 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $167 across New Mexico, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 18.9 minutes, with 80.8% driving alone and 6.0% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 83.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

31,813 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$78,277 /yr

Poverty 8.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Carlsbad compare to other US cities?

Carlsbad measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 60% higher than other cities
Home value 39% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 12% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Mexico alone, Carlsbad ranks #31 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Carlsbad's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Mexico, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

60thIncome percentile
12thSafety percentile

60th percentile nationally for median household income · 12th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Carlsbad's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Carlsbad's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 45 Avg. percentile National median
Carlsbad's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Carlsbad's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$187,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 61% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Carlsbad $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Carlsbad, NM Carlsbad, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carlsbad, NM-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Carlsbad, NM median $78,277/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Carlsbad, NM's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Carlsbad, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
31,813
Median Income
$78,277
Median Home Value
$187,900
Median Age
37.4
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor force participation
57.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3315.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
524.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2791.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
12.6"
Annual Snowfall
2.7"

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
31,000 residents31,500 residents32,000 residents32,500 residents33,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 32,229 residents 32,524 residents ▲ +0.9%
Carlsbad's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
127
housing units authorized
Single-Family
127
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 213
2020 398
2021 86
2022 101
2023 237
2024 127

Permit volume decreased 40% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.9 minutes
Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
10.1%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
6.0%
Other
1.4%

Based on 14,391 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Mexico - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$167
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Mexico state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Mexico state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Carlsbad sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,188/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
83.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Alamogordo
31,063 people
South Valley
36,605 people
Clovis
38,153 people
Hobbs
39,887 people
Gallup
21,333 people
Los Lunas
17,932 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carlsbad's 31,813 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pekin, IL
31,812 people
Sun City Center, FL
31,801 people
Rome, NY
31,795 people
Ithaca, NY
31,792 people
Seguin, TX
31,789 people
Poughkeepsie, NY
31,778 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carlsbad's $78,277 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rigby, ID
$78,278 median income
Locust, NC
$78,280 median income
San Jacinto, CA
$78,281 median income
Cuyuna, MN
$78,281 median income
Prairie City, IA
$78,269 median income
Ruskin, NE
$78,269 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carlsbad, NM Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Carlsbad, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 58.7% 10.1% 26.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 53.4% White 58.7% Black or African American 2.7% Asian 0.9% American Indian 1.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 10.1% Two or more races 26.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Carlsbad compares to nearby New Mexico cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Carlsbad (this city) 31,813 $78,277
Alamogordo 31,063 $52,515
South Valley 36,605 $51,062
Clovis 38,153 $54,029
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carlsbad, NM?

What is the population of Carlsbad, NM? +

Carlsbad, NM has a population of 31,813 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Carlsbad, NM? +

Median annual household income in Carlsbad runs $78,277, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carlsbad? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Carlsbad; the closest available measure is the New Mexico state average, a cost of living index of 92.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Mexico vary by metro area.

Is Carlsbad, NM safe? +

Carlsbad has a total crime rate of 3315.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Carlsbad, NM? +

The median home value in Carlsbad is $187,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Carlsbad? +

Carlsbad has an average annual temperature of 64.4°F, 12.6 inches of precipitation, and 2.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.