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NMNew Mexico rankings

Towns building the most new homes in New Mexico

Ranked by new homes authorized by building permits per 1,000 residents a year, averaged over 2021–2025. 20 towns with 2,500+ residents that issue their own permits.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Los Lunas 1 Los Lunas 14.3 per 1,000 Homes, last 5 yrs 1,327 Ruidoso 2 Ruidoso 11.4 per 1,000 Homes, last 5 yrs 440 Rio Rancho 3 Rio Rancho 10.7 per 1,000 Homes, last 5 yrs 5,799
#TownNew homes a yearHomes, last 5 yrsPopulation
1 Los Lunas Los Lunas18,618 people 14.3 per 1,000 1,327 18,618
2 Ruidoso Ruidoso7,699 people 11.4 per 1,000 440 7,699
3 Rio Rancho Rio Rancho108,515 people 10.7 per 1,000 5,799 108,515
4 Santa Fe Santa Fe89,019 people 7.0 per 1,000 3,095 89,019
5 Las Cruces Las Cruces114,197 people 6.2 per 1,000 3,533 114,197
6 Carlsbad Carlsbad31,746 people 4.9 per 1,000 771 31,746
7 Sunland Park Sunland Park17,463 people 4.6 per 1,000 400 17,463
8 Hobbs Hobbs40,252 people 4.2 per 1,000 841 40,252
9 Clovis Clovis37,942 people 4.0 per 1,000 752 37,942
10 Corrales Corrales8,555 people 2.7 per 1,000 115 8,555
11 Artesia Artesia12,576 people 2.5 per 1,000 156 12,576
12 Albuquerque Albuquerque562,218 people 2.5 per 1,000 6,891 562,218
13 Portales Portales11,968 people 1.9 per 1,000 113 11,968
14 Roswell Roswell47,638 people 1.3 per 1,000 302 47,638
15 Farmington Farmington46,314 people 1.2 per 1,000 281 46,314
16 Map of Rio Communities Rio Communities4,925 people 0.9 per 1,000 22 4,925
17 Ruidoso Downs Ruidoso Downs2,655 people 0.8 per 1,000 10 2,655
18 Deming Deming15,221 people 0.4 per 1,000 31 15,221
19 Gallup Gallup21,023 people 0.1 per 1,000 12 21,023
20 Las Vegas Las Vegas13,000 people 0.0 per 1,000 0 13,000

How this ranking works

For each town we add up the new homes its building permits authorized in 2021–2025, divide by five for a yearly figure, and divide by the town’s population for a rate per 1,000 residents. Every home counts the same, whether it’s a single-family house or one unit in an apartment building. The highest rate ranks #1. Across New Mexico as a whole it’s 3.8 per 1,000.

Permits count homes approved to be built, and nearly all get built within a year or two. A town is ranked only if it issues its own permits and reported in every one of these years. Where the county issues permits (common for unincorporated places), there’s no town figure to rank. Lake, mountain and beach towns often rank high because many of their new homes are second homes.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. New homes: U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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