Stagnation!
NM's population growth for past decade is sickly
Jobs and people are going elsewhere
By Dennis Domrzalski
Call it weak, low, pathetic or sickly. Or maybe nonexistent. It's New Mexico's population growth over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2020, New Mexico's population grew by a measly 52,947 people, or 2.5 percent, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
It's the lowest growth rate in the state's history, and the lowest for the past decade of states in the region.
It's an indication that jobs, people and their money are going elsewhere and that New Mexico isn't in any danger of losing its position as one of the poorest states in the nation.
As of April 1, 2020, New Mexico's population was 2,120,220. In 2010, the state's population was 2,067,273.
If there is any good news in Monday's news, it's that New Mexico won't lose any seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Seven states—California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia—are each losing one seat in the House. Five states are each gaining one House seat—Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon. Texas is gaining two House seats.
Here's how New Mexico's population growth in the past decade compares to surrounding states:
Arizona: +746,223; +10.5 percent
Colorado: +737,241; +12.8 percent
Nevada: +399,030: +12.9 percent
New Mexico: +52,947; +2.5 percent
Oklahoma: +198,634; +5.1 percent
Texas: + 3,914,827; +13.4 percent
Utah: +504,487; +15.4 percent
Population growth usually follows job growth. 90 years of single party Dem rule at the state level has scared away private business. Dems don't care much about revenue from private business as they get all the money they need from the feds and oil and gas industry.