City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Gallup, NM

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

21,333
Residents
$57,466
Median income
$134,600
Median home
$1,090
Median rent (state)

Gallup - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Gallup lands in the 31st percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

31st
percentile, household income
22nd
percentile, home value
28th
percentile, median rent
3rd
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: Gallup, NM

21,333 people live in Gallup, New Mexico - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $57,466 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 23.7%. Gallup's housing stock carries a median value of $134,600, and the median resident age is 34.0 years. 22.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 52.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 8 residential building permits were authorized in Gallup (Building Boom), up 300% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Gallup's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 5399.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New Mexico scores 92.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,090 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Mexico run around $167, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 17.1 minutes, with 83.1% driving alone and 6.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 78.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

21,333 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$57,466 /yr

Poverty 23.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Gallup compare to other US cities?

Where Gallup sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 31% higher than other cities
Home value 22% pricier than other cities
Median rent 28% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Mexico, Gallup ranks #38 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Gallup'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.

31stIncome percentile
3rdSafety percentile

31st percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gallup's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gallup'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 36 Avg. percentile National median
Gallup'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 Gallup's home value compares nationally

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

$134,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 78% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Gallup $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 - Gallup, NM Gallup, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gallup, 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 Gallup, NM median $57,466/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%
Gallup, 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 Gallup, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.1%

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

Population
21,333
Median Income
$57,466
Median Home Value
$134,600
Median Age
34.0
Poverty Rate
23.7%
Labor force participation
52.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5399.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1503.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3896.3
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.

Schools

Total Schools
18
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
19,000 residents20,000 residents21,000 residents22,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 21,792 residents 19,969 residents ▼ -8.4%
Gallup's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 13
2021 2
2022 1
2023 1
2024 8

Permit volume increased 300% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.1 minutes
Drive Alone
83.1%
Carpool
6.1%
Public Transit
2.4%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
6.5%

Based on 8,130 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 Gallup sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,090/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
78.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Los Lunas
17,932 people
Sunland Park
17,085 people
Chaparral
16,642 people
Deming
14,735 people
Los Alamos
13,471 people
Las Vegas
13,120 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gallup's 21,333 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Carlisle, PA
21,335 people
Ashland, OR
21,343 people
Stephenville, TX
21,345 people
South Lake Tahoe, CA
21,319 people
Stevenson Ranch, CA
21,317 people
Candler-McAfee, GA
21,316 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gallup's $57,466 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sugar Creek, MO
$57,467 median income
Marinette, WI
$57,461 median income
Gray, LA
$57,472 median income
Fredericksburg, TX
$57,474 median income
Citrus Springs, FL
$57,477 median income
Watervliet, MI
$57,477 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gallup, 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 Gallup, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 21.8% 52.5% 11.7% 8.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.6% White 21.8% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 3.8% American Indian 52.5% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 11.7% Two or more races 8.7% 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 Gallup 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
Gallup (this city) 21,333 $57,466
Los Lunas 17,932 $63,696
Sunland Park 17,085 $52,147
Chaparral 16,642 $46,102
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gallup, NM?

What is the population of Gallup, NM? +

The population of Gallup, NM stands at 21,333 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Gallup, the typical household earns $57,466 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gallup? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Gallup; 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 Gallup, NM safe? +

Gallup has a total crime rate of 5399.9 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 Gallup, NM? +

The median home value in Gallup is $134,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.