Profile of New Mexico Children
Race ethnicity of New Mexico Children
Figure: Racial and ethnic distribution of NM Children, population estimates, 2022.
Data source: NMDOH NM Indicator Based Information System (NM-IBIS) Population Estimates.
In 2022, there were an estimated 2,120,188 New Mexicans of all ages and an estimated 527,861 children ages 0-19 years. Children and youth comprised 24.9% of the total population.
Caregiver of children
Figure: Family structure that the child lives in, NM to US comparison, 2022.
Data source: National Survey of Children’s Health, 2022
In 2022:
- 93.3% of NM children lived with their parent(s), compared to 95.4% of children nationwide.
- 4.5% of NM children lived with their grandparent(s), compared to 3.4% of children nationwide.
- About 2.1% of NM children were residing with other relatives.
Percent of households with children that are below 100% FPL, by family structure
Figure: Percent of households with children that are below 100% FPL, by family structure, 2022.
Data source: National Survey of Children’s Health, 2022
In 2022, NM children living in single-parent households were significantly more likely to live in poverty as those who lived in a married two-parent household. Of households with children that had an income below the Federal Poverty Level, 52.5% were single parent households.
Highest educational attainment of adult in child's household
Figure: Educational attainment of adult in child’s households, below 100% FPL, NM to US comparison, 2022.
Data source: National Survey of Children’s Health, 2022
Poverty is linked to educational attainment. Adults who fail to complete high school are twice as likely to live in poverty than those who completed high school; six times more likely than those who finished college; and ten times more likely than those who obtained a graduate or professional degree.
Poverty and New Mexico's Children
Figure: Percent of children under 18 years of age who are living in households with an income at or below the federal poverty level, by county in New Mexico, 2022.
Data source:
- National Data: PRB analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census Supplementary Survey & American Community Survey table B17001
- State-level Data: 1-year estimates from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), Table S1701.
- County-level Data: 1-year estimates from Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE).
In 2022, an estimated 23.5% of NM children and 16.0% of US children younger than 18 years of age were living in families at or below the federal poverty level (FPL). Poverty is a significant determinant of health and well-being for children. In 2022, the highest prevalence of NM children living in poverty was in McKinley County.