Total Population
33,331
Population
Growth Rate
0.27%
Median Age
40
Diversity Index
80.300
Situated along the banks of the Pecos River, Carlsbad was originally christened the Town of Eddy on September 15, 1888 and organized as a municipal corporation in 1893. With the improvement of the mineral springs with their valuable medicinal qualities north of town, the town changed the name to Carlsbad, after the famous European spa, Karlsbad. On March 25, 1918, the Governor proclaimed Carlsbad as a city.
With the discovery of the "Bat Cave" in 1901 and the establishment of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park on May 14, 1930, Carlsbad gained international recognition.
In 1925 potash was discovered near Carlsbad and for many years Carlsbad dominated the U. S. production of potash. With the decline in the potash market in the 1960s, the residents and leaders of Carlsbad lobbied for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Congress authorized the WIPP project in 1979 and construction of the project began in 1980. The DOE Carlsbad Area Office opened in 1993 and the first waste shipment arrived in 1999.
Carlsbad is located in southeastern New Mexico where US62/180 and US285 intersect. The world famous Carlsbad Caverns National Park is approximately 30 miles south.
Demographics of Carlsbad
Households
12,241
Owner Occupied
8,086
Renter Occupied
4,155
Vacant
2,256
Median Household
$69,781 $78,384
Average Household
$92,064 $103,699
Per Capita
$33,848 $38,409
Total Businesses
1,201
Total Employed
13,982
Workers 16+
14,308
2023 HealthCare / Social Assistance
Businesses
125
Employed
2,331
2023 Retail Trade Businesses
Businesses
183
Employed
1,903
2023 Accommodation / Food Service
Businesses
111
Employed
1,735
2023 Public Administration
Businesses
72
Employed
1,560
2023 Food Service / Drinking Est.
Businesses
72
Employed
1,274
2023 Other Service excl Pub Admin
Businesses
167
Employed
1,031
Average Commute Time
0 min.
Resident Commuters
13,066
Non-Resident Commuters
545
Drive Alone
11,957
Carpooled
1,536
Public
68
Work At Home
543