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Which counties in New Mexico are people leaving?

22 of the 32 ranked counties in New Mexico had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Curry County had the largest net outflow for its size: 21.6 per 1,000 residents (−1,010 people). In people, Bernalillo County had the largest net outflow (−3,130).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 3 of these 22 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 22 New Mexico counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in New Mexico
RankCountyPer 1,000 residents, 2025Net movers 2025ResidentsPopulation change 2020–25
1Curry County−21.6−1,01046,655−3.5%
2Union County−16.9−653,844−5.6%
3Roosevelt County−10.7−20018,615−2.8%
4Luna County−8.6−21925,407−0.2%
5Colfax County−8.0−9812,184−1.4%
6McKinley County−6.6−45068,119−6.1%
7Otero County−6.3−44670,368+3.7%
8Quay County−6.0−518,454−3.0%
9Guadalupe County−6.0−264,343−2.2%
10Lea County−5.2−38674,749+0.2%
11Chaves County−5.1−32563,364−2.7%
12Bernalillo County−4.7−3,130667,601−1.4%
13Los Alamos County−4.4−8519,407−0.0%
14Mora County−4.2−174,051−3.3%
15Socorro County−4.1−6515,838−4.3%
16Hidalgo County−3.3−133,929−5.6%
17Lincoln County−3.2−6419,844−2.3%
18Grant County−3.1−8527,252−3.4%
19Rio Arriba County−2.5−9939,832−1.0%
20San Miguel County−1.7−4426,260−3.2%
21San Juan County−1.5−178120,340−0.9%
22Santa Fe County−0.9−147156,907+1.2%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in New Mexico are the most people leaving?

For its size, Curry County: net domestic migration of −21.6 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−1,010 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Union County (−16.9) and Roosevelt County (−10.7).

How many counties in New Mexico have more people moving out than in?

22 of the 32 ranked counties in New Mexico had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 3 of these 22 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for New Mexico

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.