City · New Mexico
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Carlsbad, city, in Eddy County, New Mexico. Carlsbad had 32,524 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 32,238 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 31,746 (±41). GEOID 3512150.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
32,524
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,238 · ACS 2020-2024: 31,746 ±41
Median household income
$72,306
±$13,830 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$200,000
±$14,321 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$1,236
±$147 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
Where is Carlsbad and what county is it in?
Carlsbad is a city in Eddy County, New Mexico. It covers 31.7 square miles of land, 1,018 residents per square mile in 2020.
Carlsbad is in the Carlsbad-Artesia, NM micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Carlsbad, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 32,524 people lived in Carlsbad on July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, faster than New Mexico (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 32,238 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 31,746 (±41).
| Measure | Carlsbad | Eddy County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 31,746 ±41 | 61,105 | +2,588 |
| Households | 12,445 ±607 | 23,620 | +1,834 |
| Average household size | 2.48 ±0.12 | 2.54 | −0.21 |
| Housing units | 14,285 ±462 | 26,839 | +1,801 |
Carlsbad's population since 2000
From 25,625 in 2000 to 32,524 in 2025: up 26.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Carlsbad as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Carlsbad?
The median resident of Carlsbad is 36.7 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 53.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 39.6%. 8.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Carlsbad | Eddy County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.7 ±2.1 | 36.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.8% ±2.0 pts | 25.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.9% ±1.3 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Male | 52.4% ±2.1 pts | 51.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 53.5% ±3.2 pts | 51.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 39.6% ±3.3 pts | 42.9% | −4.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±0.8 pts | 1.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±1.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.6% ±2.2 pts | 7.7% | +3.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 30.5% ±4.4 pts | 28.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6% ±1.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 17.0% ±2.4 pts | 16.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.2% ±2.9 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.2% ±3.0 pts | 83.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.2% ±2.9 pts | 19.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.8% ±2.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.9% ±3.0 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0% ±1.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Carlsbad earn?
Half of Carlsbad's 12,445 households earn less than $72,306 a year (±$13,830), against $78,426 in Eddy County and $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 it was $85,155 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carlsbad | Eddy County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,306 ±$13,830 | $78,426 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $93,613 ±$5,561 | $96,979 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,402 ±$2,787 | $37,970 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.8% ±2.5 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.6% ±5.7 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.5% ±3.2 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.5% ±2.7 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3% ±3.4 pts | 87.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Carlsbad?
Owners occupy 70.2% of Carlsbad's occupied homes and renters 29.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $200,000 by its owner (±$14,321). The median renter pays $1,236 a month including utilities, and 25.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carlsbad | Eddy County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $200,000 ±$14,321 | $212,600 | +$26,103 |
| Median gross rent | $1,236 ±$147 | $1,245 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.5% ±7.9 pts | 28.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,514 ±$110 | $1,579 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.2% ±3.9 pts | 73.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 29.8% ±3.9 pts | 26.7% | – |
| Housing units | 14,285 ±462 | 26,839 | +1,801 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9% ±1.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9% ±3.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.9% ±3.7 pts | 71.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.7% ±2.7 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4% ±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 18.8% ±3.1 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.3% ±1.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.1% ±2.8 pts | 4.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Carlsbad building?
Builders took permits for 220 new housing units in Carlsbad in 2025 (162 in single-family houses), 6.8 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across New Mexico.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Carlsbad work and get to work?
79.5% of Carlsbad's workers drive alone and 5.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Carlsbad | Eddy County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.1% ±3.6 pts | 62.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% ±1.8 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5% ±4.4 pts | 79.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3% ±3.7 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.7% ±2.3 pts | 6.5% | +4.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.3 min ±2.2 | 21.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Carlsbad?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Carlsbad, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $51,943 (Tract 4.02) to $114,879 (Tract 2).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 6Eddy County | 8,186 | $69,297 |
| Tract 3Eddy County | 5,455 | $64,632 |
| Tract 4.02Eddy County | 4,875 | $51,943 |
| Tract 2Eddy County | 6,793 | $114,879 |
| Tract 5Eddy County | 3,163 | $64,535 |
| Tract 4.01Eddy County | 3,456 | $61,943 |
| Tract 1Eddy County | 1,707 | $54,716 |
| Tract 7Eddy County | 6,116 | $110,192 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Carlsbad) · Census block assignment files
How does Carlsbad compare with other places in New Mexico?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Carlsbad is the 1,266th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 9th-most populous of 105 in New Mexico.
Carlsbad ranks 43rd of 143 places in New Mexico with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 9th | 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 17th | 61 |
| Residents per square mile | 37th | 155 |
| Median household income | 43rd | 143 |
| Per capita income | 45th | 154 |
| Median home value | 69th | 138 |
| Median gross rent | 21st | 114 |
| Poverty rate | 88th | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 75th | 128 |
| Median age | 100th | 154 |
| Owner-occupied share | 101st | 150 |
| Work from home | 69th | 78 |
| Travel time to work | 84th | 150 |
Carlsbad's figures with every place in New Mexico (CSV)
Every place in New Mexico, sortable · Compare Carlsbad with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Carlsbad?
7 of the 57 figures for Carlsbad on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Carlsbad are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Carlsbad.