Chaparral, New Mexico Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chaparral, New Mexico is 16,642 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 15th-largest city in New Mexico. The median household income is $46,102, the median home value is $101,900, and the median age is 31.2.
16,642
Population
282
People / sq mi
$46,102
Median Income
$101,900
Median Home Value
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Chaparral covers 59.1 sq mi of land at 282 people per square mile.
About Chaparral, NM
What distinguishes Chaparral is density: among the most sparsely settled of US cities, around 282 people per square mile. Chaparral is a city in New Mexico with a population of 16,642. It ranks #15 among cities in New Mexico by population.
Money is tight relative to the rest of US cities: the median household earns just $46,102, below the US median of $78,538. Hardship is pronounced — at 25.4%, poverty is near the top of the range for US cities, above the national 12.4%. Real estate is inexpensive, with a typical home worth only $101,900, with typical rent around $874.
College credentials are comparatively rare here: just 10.0%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the lower side here, at 5.3%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 33 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 32.6% |
| Black or African American | 1.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$46,102
Median Household Income
$18,311
Per Capita Income
25.4%
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$101,900
Median Home Value
$874
Median Rent
66.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
65.9%
High School+
10.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
79.9%
Public Transit
5.3%
Work From Home
32.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
48.8%
Foreign Born
24.5%
Non-English at Home
5.9%
Veterans
16.3%
With Disability
84.3%
Health Insurance
93.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.2% |
| Construction | 15.3% |
| Manufacturing | 9.0% |
| Retail Trade | 8.5% |
| Information | 7.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.1% |
| Public Administration | 6.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 5.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 3.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.4% |
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City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chaparral, New Mexico has a population of 16,642 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 15th-largest city in New Mexico.
The median household income in Chaparral, New Mexico is $46,102, with 25.4% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chaparral, New Mexico is $101,900, with median monthly rent at $874 and a homeownership rate of 66.4%.
The median age in Chaparral, New Mexico is 31.2 years. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
Where to stay in Chaparral
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.