City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Las Vegas, NM

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

13,120
Residents
$42,732
Median income
$143,900
Median home
$1,008
Median rent (state)

Las Vegas - the verdict

Nationally, Las Vegas sits in the 10th percentile for household income and the 29th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

10th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
29th
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: Las Vegas, NM

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 13,120 residents in Las Vegas, a small town within New Mexico. Median household income here is $42,732 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.3%. Typical homes in Las Vegas are valued around $143,900, and the median resident age is 42.0 years. Educational attainment runs 27.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2122.3 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: the state registers 92.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,008 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Mexico run around $167, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 74.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

13,120 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$42,732 /yr

Poverty 18.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Las Vegas compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 10% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 29% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just New Mexico and the picture shifts: Las Vegas ranks #24 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Las Vegas'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.

10thIncome percentile
29thSafety percentile

10th percentile nationally for median household income · 29th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Las Vegas's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Las Vegas'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Las Vegas'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 Las Vegas's home value compares nationally

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

$143,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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. Las Vegas $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 - Las Vegas, NM Las Vegas, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas, NM median $42,732/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%
Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.4%

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

Population
13,120
Median Income
$42,732
Median Home Value
$143,900
Median Age
42.0
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Labor force participation
47.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2122.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
655.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1466.9
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
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,400 residents12,600 residents12,800 residents13,000 residents13,200 residents13,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,176 residents 12,574 residents ▼ -4.6%
Las Vegas's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 3
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.7%
Carpool
13.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
12.5%
Other
1.5%

Based on 5,027 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 Las Vegas sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,008/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
74.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Los Alamos
13,471 people
Artesia
12,555 people
Portales
12,023 people
Deming
14,735 people
North Valley
11,474 people
Lovington
11,444 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Las Vegas's 13,120 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mount Vernon, VA
13,120 people
Soddy-Daisy, TN
13,117 people
Lake Station, IN
13,109 people
Florham Park, NJ
13,134 people
Glendale, WI
13,134 people
Superior, CO
13,136 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Las Vegas's $42,732 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lepanto, AR
$42,730 median income
Friendship, NY
$42,734 median income
Washingtonville, OH
$42,727 median income
Newport, ME
$42,740 median income
Covington, VA
$42,724 median income
Spring Valley, AZ
$42,721 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 45.5% 21.1% 28.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 77.7% White 45.5% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.3% American Indian 2.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 21.1% Two or more races 28.5% 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 Las Vegas 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
Las Vegas (this city) 13,120 $42,732
Los Alamos 13,471 $136,502
Artesia 12,555 $77,647
Portales 12,023 $51,290
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Las Vegas, NM?

What is the population of Las Vegas, NM? +

Las Vegas, NM counts 13,120 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Las Vegas, NM? +

The median household income in Las Vegas is $42,732 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Las Vegas? +

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

Las Vegas has a total crime rate of 2122.3 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Las Vegas, NM? +

Homes in Las Vegas carry a median value of $143,900, 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.