2004 · NMMap-doton-Dexter · Wikimedia Commons
Dexter’s story
Dexter in pictures
1 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives.
Explore the history →DexterNM
A town of 1,128. Healthier than 93% of U.S. towns.
Population
1,128
−15.2% since 2010
Typical home
$147K
−2.9% in a year
Household income
$44K
median
Median age
31.5
years
Jobs based here
329
Balanced
What makes Dexter stand out
The 3 things Dexter does most differently from other towns.
A shrinking town
Dexter has shrunk 15.2% since 2010
1,266 people in 2010; 1,128 today.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 · ACS
Dexter’s report card
Now in Dexter
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Live in Dexter? Is a D for health right?
Your answer becomes a post in Dexter’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
Weather
Forecast →84°
Clear
H 0° · L 59°
Local news
All →- Capitan Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Dextermaxpreps.com · Sep 29
- Dexter Varsity Baseball @ East Mountainmaxpreps.com · Sep 27
- Eunice Varsity Softball @ Dextermaxpreps.com · Sep 27
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Dexter. Another town gets a different order.
Health
Healthier than 7% of U.S. towns
Dexter beats the New Mexico average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 17.
DHealth Grade
32 measures vs. New Mexico
1 better14 too close to call17 worse
| What stands out | Dexter | NM |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 5.1% | 7.4% |
| More uninsured adults | 27.2% | 15.6% |
Lovelace Regional Hospital - Roswell
17.6 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
13th
percentile among NM towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Housing
A typical Dexter home is worth about $147K
The typical Dexter home is worth about $147,000, down 2.9% in a year, 54% below the New Mexico typical home.
$147KZillow home value
Typical home value
Dexter$147K
New Mexico$318K
−2.9%
value change, 1 year
1
homes sold in April
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Schools
Dexter’s public schools outperform 82% of New Mexico districts
The public schools Dexter’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 82% of New Mexico’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.
A−School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dexter Elementary | PK–5 | 330 | Not graded |
| Dexter Middle | 6–8 | 178 | Not graded |
| Dexter High | 9–12 | 264 | Not graded |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within NM on state tests and graduationAll 3 schools →
Natural hazards
High risk, with drought at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 76% of U.S. communities.
76risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
DroughtInland floodingStrong wind
2
paid flood claims since 2024
1
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Climate
Four seasons, hot summers
Dexter has chilly winters and hot summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 97°, a January night drops to 25°, and about 10 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
10″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter27–59°
Spring44–80°
Summer65–96°
Fall45–77°
Nov 7
typical first frost
Mar 29
typical last frost
+2.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Work & commute
About one in ten working residents works right in Dexter
Most working residents leave Dexter for work: only 10% work in town. The top destinations are Roswell (19%), Artesia (8%) and Albuquerque (7%). Half commute less than 20 miles.
10%work in town
Where working residents work
In Dexter10%
Roswell19%
Artesia8%
Albuquerque7%
Carlsbad4%
20 mi
median commute distance
329
jobs based in Dexter
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Safety
Crime reported in Dexter
Dexter's reported crime rate is well below New Mexico's. No violent crimes were reported in 2022.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Dexter0
New Mexico8.3
U.S.4
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Dexter0
New Mexico31.8
U.S.20
0
violent crimes reported in 2022
0
property crimes reported in 2022
FBI crime data, 2022 · crimes reported to policeFull safety report →
Small town
1,128 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
About Dexter
Town in New Mexico, United States
Dexter is a town in Chaves County, New Mexico, United States. As of the 2020 census, Dexter had a population of 1,074.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 1,074
- Area
- 0.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 3,465 ft
- ZIP code
- 88230
More about Dexter
Still missing for Dexter:a photo of Dexterupcoming events