Which counties in New Mexico are losing population?
22 of the 32 ranked counties in New Mexico had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. McKinley County lost the largest share, down 6.1% (−4,421 people). Bernalillo County lost the most residents (−9,266).
Of the 22 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 13 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 9 (Census Bureau components of population change).
Data as of 2025 · updated
All 22 New Mexico counties that lost residents
| Rank | County | Change 2020–25 | Residents lost 2020–25 | Residents 2025 | Largest factor 2020–25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McKinley County | −6.1% | −4,421 | 68,119 | Domestic migration (−3,820) |
| 2 | Hidalgo County | −5.6% | −234 | 3,929 | Domestic migration (−176) |
| 3 | Union County | −5.6% | −226 | 3,844 | Natural change (−113) |
| 4 | Socorro County | −4.3% | −713 | 15,838 | Domestic migration (−501) |
| 5 | Curry County | −3.5% | −1,717 | 46,655 | Domestic migration (−3,644) |
| 6 | Grant County | −3.4% | −951 | 27,252 | Natural change (−913) |
| 7 | Mora County | −3.3% | −140 | 4,051 | Natural change (−155) |
| 8 | San Miguel County | −3.2% | −874 | 26,260 | Natural change (−666) |
| 9 | Quay County | −3.0% | −260 | 8,454 | Natural change (−288) |
| 10 | Roosevelt County | −2.8% | −538 | 18,615 | Domestic migration (−739) |
| 11 | Chaves County | −2.7% | −1,790 | 63,364 | Domestic migration (−2,227) |
| 12 | De Baca County | −2.4% | −40 | 1,647 | Natural change (−103) |
| 13 | Lincoln County | −2.3% | −464 | 19,844 | Natural change (−648) |
| 14 | Guadalupe County | −2.2% | −97 | 4,343 | Natural change (−114) |
| 15 | Sierra County | −1.4% | −167 | 11,395 | Natural change (−929) |
| 16 | Colfax County | −1.4% | −170 | 12,184 | Natural change (−388) |
| 17 | Bernalillo County | −1.4% | −9,266 | 667,601 | Domestic migration (−16,265) |
| 18 | Rio Arriba County | −1.0% | −421 | 39,832 | Natural change (−637) |
| 19 | San Juan County | −0.9% | −1,044 | 120,340 | Natural change (−774) |
| 20 | Cibola County | −0.6% | −156 | 26,807 | Natural change (−491) |
| 21 | Luna County | −0.2% | −45 | 25,407 | Domestic migration (−323) |
| 22 | Los Alamos County | −0.0% | −7 | 19,407 | Domestic migration (−503) |
How this is ranked
Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). 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 is losing population fastest?
McKinley County: down 6.1% between 2020 and 2025, to 68,119 residents (−4,421 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Hidalgo County (−5.6%) and Union County (−5.6%).
How many counties in New Mexico are losing population?
22 of the 32 ranked counties in New Mexico had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 10 grew or held steady.
Why are counties in New Mexico losing population?
Of the 22 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 13 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 9 (Census Bureau components of population change).
More county rankings for New Mexico
Counties losing population in other states
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