Carlsbad, NM Demographics

A map of Carlsbad's Population by Race

Carlsbad, New Mexico has an estimated population of 31,746, a slight decrease from the 32,238 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 53.5% Hispanic, 39.6% White, 2.3% Multiracial, 2.2% Black, 1.6% Native American/Other, and 0.8% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Carlsbad, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Carlsbad has become slightly less 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 Carlsbad, that probability was 56.4% in 2020 and 55.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Carlsbad is ranked the 10th 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). Carlsbad was ranked the 10th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Carlsbad's White Population

12,564 residents of Carlsbad, or 39.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Carlsbad is slightly higher than in New Mexico overall, where 36% of the population is White. Carlsbad ranks 212th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's White population has declined by an estimated 7.9%. White residents' share of Carlsbad's population has decreased from 42.3% to 39.6%.

Carlsbad is more White than neighboring Livingston Wheeler (27.4% White), and Loving (10.4% White). Carlsbad is less White than neighboring La Huerta (84.6% White), Happy Valley (64.1% White), and Malaga (85.8% White).

Carlsbad's Black Population

689 residents of Carlsbad, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Carlsbad is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Carlsbad ranks 38th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Black population has grown by an estimated 10.8%. Black residents' share of Carlsbad's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.2%.

Carlsbad is more Black than neighboring Livingston Wheeler (0% Black), La Huerta (0% Black), Happy Valley (0% Black), Loving (0% Black), and Malaga (0% Black).

Carlsbad's Asian Population

265 residents of Carlsbad, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Carlsbad is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Carlsbad ranks 59th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Asian population has declined by an estimated 38.7%. Asian residents' share of Carlsbad's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.8%.

Carlsbad is more Asian than neighboring Livingston Wheeler (0% Asian), La Huerta (0% Asian), Happy Valley (0% Asian), Loving (0% Asian), and Malaga (0% Asian).

Carlsbad's Hispanic Population

16,981 residents of Carlsbad, or 53.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Carlsbad is higher than in New Mexico overall, where 48.4% of the population is Hispanic. Carlsbad ranks 224th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Carlsbad's population has increased from 50.6% to 53.5%.

Carlsbad is more Hispanic than neighboring La Huerta (15.4% Hispanic), Happy Valley (32.4% Hispanic), and Malaga (14.2% Hispanic). Carlsbad is less Hispanic than neighboring Livingston Wheeler (72.6% Hispanic), and Loving (89.6% Hispanic).

Carlsbad's Native American/Other Population

502 residents of Carlsbad, or 1.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Carlsbad is lower than in New Mexico overall, where 9% of the population is Native American/Other. Carlsbad ranks 318th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 9.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Carlsbad's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Carlsbad is more Native American/Other than neighboring Livingston Wheeler (0% Native American/Other), La Huerta (0% Native American/Other), Happy Valley (0% Native American/Other), Loving (0% Native American/Other), and Malaga (0% Native American/Other).

Carlsbad's Multiracial Population

745 residents of Carlsbad, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Carlsbad is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Carlsbad ranks 247th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 528 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Carlsbad's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 5.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Carlsbad's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.3%.

Carlsbad is more Multiracial than neighboring Livingston Wheeler (0% Multiracial), La Huerta (0% Multiracial), Loving (0% Multiracial), and Malaga (0% Multiracial). Carlsbad is less Multiracial than neighboring Happy Valley (3.4% 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.