Capitan, NM Demographics

A map of Capitan's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	707	968	59.4%	69.6%
Hispanic	450	343	37.8%	24.7%
Multiracial	28	47	2.4%	3.4%
Native American/Other	6	18	0.5%	1.3%
Black	0	6	0.0%	0.4%
Asian	0	9	0.0%	0.6%

Capitan, New Mexico has an estimated population of 1,191, a large decrease from the 1,391 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 59.4% White, 37.8% Hispanic, 2.4% Multiracial, 0.5% Native American/Other, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Capitan, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Capitan has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New Mexico overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Capitan, that probability was 45.4% in 2020 and 50.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Capitan is ranked the 142nd most populous place in New Mexico, out of 528 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Capitan was ranked the 124th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Capitan's White Population

707 residents of Capitan, or 59.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Capitan is significantly higher than in New Mexico overall, where 36% of the population is White. Capitan ranks 97th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitan's White population has declined by an estimated 27.0%. White residents' share of Capitan's population has decreased from 69.6% to 59.4%.

Capitan is more White than neighboring Ruidoso Downs (41.3% White), Carrizozo (19.1% White), and Mescalero (6.5% White). Capitan is less White than neighboring Nogal (100% White), and Ruidoso (64.3% White).

Capitan's Black Population

0 residents of Capitan, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Capitan is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Capitan ranks 195th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitan's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Capitan's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Capitan is less Black than neighboring Ruidoso (1.9% Black), and Carrizozo (1.1% Black).

Capitan's Asian Population

0 residents of Capitan, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Capitan is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Capitan ranks 138th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitan's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Capitan's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.0%.

Capitan is less Asian than neighboring Ruidoso (0.6% Asian), and Ruidoso Downs (0.2% Asian).

Capitan's Hispanic Population

450 residents of Capitan, or 37.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Capitan is considerably lower than in New Mexico overall, where 48.4% of the population is Hispanic. Capitan ranks 322nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitan's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 31.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Capitan's population has increased from 24.7% to 37.8%.

Capitan is more Hispanic than neighboring Nogal (0% Hispanic), Ruidoso (29.2% Hispanic), and Mescalero (6.5% Hispanic). Capitan is less Hispanic than neighboring Ruidoso Downs (51.6% Hispanic), and Carrizozo (71.5% Hispanic).

Capitan's Native American/Other Population

6 residents of Capitan, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Capitan is lower than in New Mexico overall, where 9% of the population is Native American/Other. Capitan ranks 334th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitan's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 66.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Capitan's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.5%.

Capitan is more Native American/Other than neighboring Nogal (0% Native American/Other). Capitan is less Native American/Other than neighboring Ruidoso (1.8% Native American/Other), Ruidoso Downs (3.9% Native American/Other), Carrizozo (1.1% Native American/Other), and Mescalero (85.2% Native American/Other).

Capitan's Multiracial Population

28 residents of Capitan, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Capitan is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Capitan ranks 154th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Capitan's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 40.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Capitan's population has decreased from 3.4% to 2.4%.

Capitan is more Multiracial than neighboring Nogal (0% Multiracial), Ruidoso (2.3% Multiracial), and Mescalero (1.8% Multiracial). Capitan is less Multiracial than neighboring Ruidoso Downs (2.9% Multiracial), and Carrizozo (7.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.