Chaves County, New Mexico Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 10th-largest in New Mexico
The population of Chaves County, New Mexico is 64,446 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 10th-largest county in New Mexico. The median household income is $52,029, the median home value is $141,900, and the median age is 36.9.
The population of Chaves County has declined 3.1% since 2010 (65,721 → 63,697), a -0.22% annualized rate.
64,446
Population
-0.22%
Annual growth
11
People / sq mi
$52,029
Median Income
$141,900
Median Home Value
Chaves County covers 6,067 sq mi of land at 10.6 people per square mile.
About Chaves County, NM
The poverty rate is what most separates Chaves County from the typical county: 18.5% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Chaves County is a county in New Mexico with a population of 64,446. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in New Mexico in the country, at #10 by population.
Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $52,029, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 18.5%, is among the steepest of comparable US counties and above the national 12.4%. Median home value is $141,900, with typical rent around $838.
18.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 5.0% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 19 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Chaves County: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Chaves County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Chaves County had a population of 65,721 in 2010 and 63,697 in 2024, a -3.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 66,033 in 2013. Average annual growth rate: -0.22%.
63,697
Population (2024)
65,721
Population (2010)
66,033
Peak (2013)
-0.22%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 65,721 |
| 2011 | 65,721 |
| 2012 | 65,780 |
| 2013 | 66,033 |
| 2014 | 65,839 |
| 2015 | 65,856 |
| 2016 | 65,684 |
| 2017 | 65,091 |
| 2018 | 64,488 |
| 2019 | 64,586 |
| 2020 | 65,153 |
| 2021 | 64,660 |
| 2022 | 63,907 |
| 2023 | 63,668 |
| 2024 | 63,697 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 63.9% |
| Black or African American | 1.5% |
| Asian | 0.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
36.9
Median Age
49.6%
Female
50.4%
Male
16.3%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 20.2% · Seniors (65+): 16.3%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $52,029$-10,096 vs state |
| Mean household income | $73,075 |
| Per-capita income | $28,273 |
| Poverty rate | 18.5%+4.8% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% |
| Employment-to-population | 52.9% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Chaves County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.3% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
2.0%
Carpool
82.4%
Public transit
5.0%
Work from home
18.6 min
Avg commute
Housing
$141,900$-90,300 vs state
Median home value
$838
Median rent
68.7%
Homeownership rate
26,794
Total housing units
88.1%
Occupied
11.9%
Vacant
31.3%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
90.6%
With health insurance
89.2%
With broadband internet
29.2%
Foreign-born
7.1%
Veterans (18+)
19.4%
With a disability
66.4%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
80.9%
High School+
18.2%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chaves County, New Mexico has a population of 64,446 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 10th-largest county in New Mexico. Population density is 11 people per square mile.
The population of Chaves County has declined 3.1% since 2010 (65,721 → 63,697), a -0.22% annualized rate.
The median household income in Chaves County, New Mexico is $52,029, with mean (average) household income of $73,075 and per-capita income of $28,273. 18.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Chaves County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (63.9%), Hispanic or Latino (2.7%), Black or African American (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Chaves County, New Mexico is 36.9 years. Residents are 49.6% female and 50.4% male.
The median home value in Chaves County is $141,900 and median monthly rent is $838. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 26,794 total housing units, 11.9% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Chaves County, New Mexico is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.1%.
Albuquerque is among the largest cities associated with Chaves County, New Mexico, with a population of 562,488.
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Statewide data for New Mexico
Population, race, income, age, and trends across New Mexico
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.