Here Are The 9 Fastest-Growing Towns In New Mexico And Why

Part of the Albuquerque metropolitan area, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is a tiny village where you’ll find some of the wealthier residents. Once home to agricultural fields, these days you’ll find large homes and open spaces sitting against the Rio Grande. Here, you’ll find a quiet lifestyle compared to the surrounding big city where you can go antiquing, enjoy fantastic restaurants, and even get a sense of the old agricultural life that once flourished here.

The town grew by 121 to a population of 6,069, making its growth 2.0%.

Located in eastern New Mexico just south of Clovis, Portales looks exactly like the quiet little town you expect to see in movies with small city blocks, a historic downtown, and older ranch homes and trees lining neighborhood streets. Plus, the weather is nice throughout the year with mild winters and summers that don’t normally see sweltering temperatures. Life here is definitely quieter.

The town grew by 258 to a population of 12,275, making its growth 2.1%.

Located in the mountains near New Mexico’s northern border, Taos always seems much larger than it actually is. Here, you’ll find some spectacular views, a thriving art scene, and fantastic restaurants. If that isn’t enough to tempt you, then the history here might. Taos — which sits next to the nearly millennium-old Taos Pueblo — is one of the oldest towns in the country and was settled by the Spaniards in 1615. You’ll find plenty of historic sites around and near town, each location telling a story about its place in time.

The town grew by 138 to a population of 5,735, making its growth 2.5%.

This town sits on the outskirts of Albuquerque yet manages to still feel like a rural community. Corrales thrives on creating a feeling of yesteryear in the community, with quiet streets, small town festivals, and historic areas. If you want to get a sense of life here, try renting a room at one of the town’s bed and breakfast inns and check out the natural beauty that surrounds towns.

The town grew by 318 to a population of 8,474, making its growth 3.9%.

Artesia sits about 40 miles south of Roswell, resting near the Pecos River, in the sparsely populated southeastern New Mexico. The name makes the town sound idyllic, and that actually may not be far from the truth. Life here is quiet and peaceful, especially for a town this size. You’ll find a historic downtown and restaurants for fantastic dishes.

The town grew by 756 to a population of 11,817, making its growth 6.8%.

Flanked by Albuquerque and San Felipe Pueblo, Bernalillo combines beautiful natural views with small town charm. These days, the town acts as a bedroom community for Albuquerque but its roots go back to 1695 when it was founded as a trading center between Mexicans and nearby Pueblo tribes. You’ll find historic sites, one of the oldest wineries in the country, and festivals that feature both of these.

The town grew by 603 to a population of 8,676, making its growth 7.5%.

Located in southeastern New Mexico about 95 miles from Roswell, Lovington’s economy is centered around ranching, dairy, and oil. This likely accounts for the population growth in an otherwise sparse part of the state but you’ll also find low prices on homes and land out here.

The town grew by 603 to a population of 8,676, making its growth 8.6%.

Los Lunas sits 22 miles south of Albuquerque, this village has nice temperatures throughout the year, a low cost of living, and some very pretty views on the Rio Grande. This makes Los Lunas a great alternative to living in the middle of the city, especially if you’re looking for a quieter, slower lifestyle outside of the office.

The town grew by 1,397 to a population of 15,271, making its growth 10.1%.

The fastest-growing town on our list is Sunland Park, which sits right on the U.S.-Mexico border and right next to El Paso, Texas. The desert scenery here can feel stark but the nearby mountains and Rio Grande add a little variety to the landscape. The three major attractions here are Western Playland (an amusement park), Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, and Mt. Cristo Rey, where a statue of Christ stands atop a mountain shared with Mexico.

The town grew by 1,756 to a population of 15,588, making its growth 12.7%.