City · New Mexico
Lovington, New Mexico
Lovington, city, in Lea County, New Mexico. Lovington had 11,620 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 11,668 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 11,498 (±22). GEOID 3544490.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,620
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,668 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,498 ±22
Median household income
$68,821
±$14,046 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$166,100
±$12,698 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$1,014
±$105 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
Where is Lovington and what county is it in?
Lovington is a city in Lea County, New Mexico. It covers 11.2 square miles of land, 1,042 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lovington is in the Hobbs, 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 Lovington, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 11,620 people lived in Lovington on July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020 Census counted 11,668 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 11,498 (±22).
| Measure | Lovington | Lea County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,498 ±22 | 73,733 | no clear change |
| Households | 3,415 ±344 | 24,670 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.28 ±0.32 | 2.90 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,908 ±348 | 28,403 | no clear change |
Lovington's population since 2000
From 9,471 in 2000 to 11,620 in 2025: up 22.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lovington 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 Lovington?
The median resident of Lovington is 32.0 years old; 32.7% are under 18 and 8.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 69.1%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 26.6%. 19.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lovington | Lea County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.0 ±5.3 | 32.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 32.7% ±3.4 pts | 29.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 8.5% ±1.7 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Male | 49.9% ±4.1 pts | 51.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 69.1% ±4.9 pts | 62.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 26.6% ±5.0 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±1.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 19.7% ±4.9 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 49.2% ±6.7 pts | 44.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.0% ±1.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1% ±4.0 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.9% ±4.3 pts | 14.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 74.7% ±4.7 pts | 74.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 8.4% ±2.2 pts | 15.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.3% ±1.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.3% ±4.0 pts | 87.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5% ±2.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
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 Lovington earn?
Half of Lovington's 3,415 households earn less than $68,821 a year (±$14,046), against $68,015 in Lea County and $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 it was $63,528 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 25.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lovington | Lea County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,821 ±$14,046 | $68,015 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,029 ±$8,501 | $91,389 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,727 ±$2,806 | $31,326 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 25.0% ±6.6 pts | 18.7% | +8.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.4% ±10.4 pts | 23.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.9% ±6.1 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.8% ±3.2 pts | 93.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.9% ±3.9 pts | 86.3% | – |
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 Lovington?
Owners occupy 72.9% of Lovington's occupied homes and renters 27.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,100 by its owner (±$12,698). The median renter pays $1,014 a month including utilities, and 40.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lovington | Lea County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $166,100 ±$12,698 | $184,000 | +$22,355 |
| Median gross rent | $1,014 ±$105 | $1,101 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.7% ±15.1 pts | 40.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,620 ±$188 | $1,703 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.9% ±7.1 pts | 71.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 27.1% ±7.1 pts | 28.8% | – |
| Housing units | 3,908 ±348 | 28,403 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±2.1 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.7% ±7.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.3% ±6.8 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.1% ±6.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.5% ±4.0 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.4% ±2.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.1% ±2.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
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 do people in Lovington work and get to work?
67.1% of Lovington's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Lovington | Lea County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.4% ±4.7 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% ±3.4 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.1% ±7.8 pts | 75.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 21.6% ±6.3 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±1.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9% ±4.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.9 min ±6.6 | 24.4 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 Lovington?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Lovington, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $50,313 (Tract 10.05) to $93,533 (Tract 10.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 10.03Lea County | 4,109 | $60,985 |
| Tract 10.04Lea County | 4,357 | $93,533 |
| Tract 10.05Lea County | 3,602 | $50,313 |
| Tract 11Lea County | 4,723 | $81,985 |
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 Lovington) · Census block assignment files
How does Lovington compare with other places in New Mexico?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lovington is the 2,894th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 18th-most populous of 105 in New Mexico.
Lovington ranks 44th 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 | 18th | 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 27th | 61 |
| Residents per square mile | 34th | 155 |
| Median household income | 44th | 143 |
| Per capita income | 109th | 154 |
| Median home value | 84th | 138 |
| Median gross rent | 47th | 114 |
| Poverty rate | 45th | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 119th | 128 |
| Median age | 124th | 154 |
| Owner-occupied share | 92nd | 150 |
| Work from home | 57th | 78 |
| Travel time to work | 27th | 150 |
Lovington's figures with every place in New Mexico (CSV)
Every place in New Mexico, sortable · Compare Lovington 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 Lovington?
13 of the 57 figures for Lovington 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 Lovington 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 Lovington.