City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Tucumcari, NM

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

5,197
Residents
$39,915
Median income
$56,400
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Tucumcari - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Tucumcari places in the 8th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

8th
percentile, household income
1st
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Tucumcari, NM

New Mexico's Tucumcari is a small town, with 5,197 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Tucumcari brings in $39,915 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 24.0%. Typical homes in Tucumcari are valued around $56,400, and the median resident age is 40.9 years. Educational attainment runs 19.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 59.2°F with 16.1 inches of precipitation per year and 14.9 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 $973 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Mexico run around $167, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 26.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

5,197 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$39,915 /yr

Poverty 24.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Tucumcari compare to other US cities?

Here's how Tucumcari stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 1% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities

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

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 Tucumcari'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.

8thIncome percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Tucumcari's home value compares nationally

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

$56,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 99% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Tucumcari $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 - Tucumcari, NM Tucumcari, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Tucumcari, 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 Tucumcari, NM median $39,915/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%
Tucumcari, 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 Tucumcari, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 24.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.0%

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

Population
5,197
Median Income
$39,915
Median Home Value
$56,400
Median Age
40.9
Poverty Rate
24.0%
Labor force participation
54.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.7%

Climate

Avg Temperature
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
16.1"
Annual Snowfall
14.9"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,000 residents5,100 residents5,200 residents5,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,263 residents 5,082 residents ▼ -3.4%
Tucumcari's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.6%
Carpool
8.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
2.6%
Other
1.5%

Based on 2,226 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 Tucumcari sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
26.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

El Cerro Mission
5,101 people
Rio Communities
4,924 people
White Rock
5,568 people
Paradise Hills
4,662 people
Eldorado at Santa Fe
5,746 people
Los Chaves
4,641 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Tucumcari's 5,197 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Eaton Rapids, MI
5,197 people
Vancleave, MS
5,196 people
Center, TX
5,198 people
Bristol, WI
5,196 people
Glennville, GA
5,199 people
Northwood, OH
5,195 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Tucumcari's $39,915 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Glendale, OR
$39,917 median income
Mendenhall, MS
$39,911 median income
Mount Pleasant, MI
$39,924 median income
Norman Park, GA
$39,904 median income
Boyle, MS
$39,926 median income
Okay, OK
$39,904 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Tucumcari, 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 Tucumcari, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 54.9% 12.8% 27.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 63.7% White 54.9% Black or African American 2.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 2.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 12.8% Two or more races 27.5% 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 Tucumcari 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
Tucumcari (this city) 5,197 $39,915
El Cerro Mission 5,101 $49,719
Rio Communities 4,924 $46,223
White Rock 5,568 $150,714
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Tucumcari, NM?

What is the population of Tucumcari, NM? +

Tucumcari, NM counts 5,197 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Tucumcari, the typical household earns $39,915 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Tucumcari? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Tucumcari; 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.

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

A typical home in Tucumcari is worth $56,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Tucumcari? +

Tucumcari has an average annual temperature of 59.2°F, 16.1 inches of precipitation, and 14.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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.