9th most populous of 33
With 68,945 residents in 2024, McKinley County ranks 9th by population among New Mexico's 33 counties and is home to 3.2% of the state's residents.
McKinley County is home to 68,945 people (2024 estimate) on 5,451 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
68,945
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
72,897
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−5.4%
2020–2024
Land area
5,451 mi²
14,118 km²
Population density
12.6 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
764
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
840
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−76
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
−57
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$37,085
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$2.9 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$47,668
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
33.2%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
13.3%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
2.4%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$78,700
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
5.5%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–202468,945▼ 8%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 68,945 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 71,492 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 74,563 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −7.5% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +162 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −219 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.1 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 12.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in New Mexico | 9th of 33 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $37,085 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $2.9 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $47,668 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 33.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 13.3% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.4% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $78,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $859/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 34.6 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 21,353 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
McKinley County in context
Comparable indicators for McKinley County, New Mexico and the United States.
| Indicator | County | New Mexico | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −5.4% | +0.6% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.1 | 9.8 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 12.2 | 10.5 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | -0.8 | 4.9 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 12.6 | 17.6 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $37,085 | $58,249 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $47,668 | $64,059 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 33.2% | 17.8% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 13.3% | 31.0% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.4% | 9.4% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $78,700 | $248,100 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $859/month | $1,067/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 34.6 years | 39.4 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.8% | 70.0% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Did you know? McKinley County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 74,563 in 2000 to 68,945 in 2024, a change of −7.5%, compared with +17.0% for New Mexico as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 764 births and 840 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 76.
Peak population in 2000
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 74,563 in 2000. The 2024 figure is 5,618 lower.
12th in density
McKinley County has about 12.6 residents per square mile of land, ranking 12th of 33 counties; New Mexico averages 17.6.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $47,668 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 25th of 33 New Mexico counties; the state median is $64,059.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $2.9 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 11th largest among 33 New Mexico counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP fell 3.7% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS