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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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.
Chaparral Cdp, NM Climate
Chaparral Cdp, NM has an average annual temperature of 16.7°C (62°F) and receives about 248 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
16.7°C
Avg Temp
248
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6° / 42° | 11 mm |
| February | 9° / 47° | 9 mm |
| March | 12° / 54° | 6 mm |
| April | 16° / 62° | 4 mm |
| May | 21° / 70° | 10 mm |
| June | 26° / 80° | 22 mm |
| July | 28° / 82° | 41 mm |
| August | 26° / 79° | 53 mm |
| September | 23° / 74° | 39 mm |
| October | 17° / 63° | 23 mm |
| November | 10° / 50° | 11 mm |
| December | 6° / 43° | 19 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Chaparral Cdp, NM
The most comfortable months to visit Chaparral Cdp, NM are typically May, September and April, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 36°C high). The coldest is January (near -3°C low). August is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Chaparral
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.