New Mexico: elevation, cities and highest point
New Mexico has 2,125,498 people (2025) and 33 counties. Its highest point is Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 ft, and its lowest, the Red Bluff Reservoir, at 2,842 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 2,125,498
- The 36th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 121,313 sq mi
- The 5th largest state
- Counties
- 33
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 2,842 ft
- Red Bluff Reservoir
Map of New Mexico’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Santa Fe, sits at 6,997 ft (2,133 m): the highest of the 50 state capitals. New Mexico’s highest point, Wheeler Peak, is 67 mi away in a straight line and 6,164 ft higher.
Between its highest point (13,161 ft) and its lowest (2,842 ft) there’s 10,319 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, New Mexico’s is the 8th highest.
New Mexico has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Santa Fe, at 6,997 ft, and the lowest is Albuquerque, at 4,955 ft: 2,042 ft apart.
New Mexico borders 4 states. Their highest points are Humphreys Peak, in Arizona (12,633 ft), Guadalupe Peak, in Texas (8,749 ft), Mount Elbert, in Colorado (14,433 ft), and Black Mesa, in Oklahoma (4,973 ft): New Mexico’s is the 2nd highest of the 5. Their capitals: Phoenix (1,088 ft), Austin (487 ft), Denver (5,276 ft), and Oklahoma City (1,196 ft).
- Wheeler Peak 13,161 ft
- Santa Fe 6,997 ft
- Albuquerque 4,955 ft
Population
New Mexico had 2,125,498 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 0.4% more than in April 2020 (2,117,492). Across 121,313 sq mi of land, that’s 18 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Albuquerque, with 556,588 people. The Census counts 528 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in New Mexico.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 556,588 | 187 sq mi | 4,955 ft |
| Las Cruces | 116,978 | 76.9 sq mi | — |
| Rio Rancho | 114,419 | 103 sq mi | — |
| Santa Fe | 89,837 | 52.2 sq mi | 6,997 ft |
| Roswell | 46,878 | 29.7 sq mi | — |
| Farmington | 46,055 | 34.5 sq mi | — |
| Hobbs | 40,863 | 26.4 sq mi | — |
| Clovis | 37,127 | 23.6 sq mi | — |
| South Valley | 37,120 | 29.0 sq mi | — |
| Carlsbad | 32,524 | 31.7 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in New Mexico?
Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 8th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in New Mexico?
The Red Bluff Reservoir, at 2,842 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Santa Fe, the capital?
6,997 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the highest state capital.
What is the highest city in New Mexico?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Santa Fe, at 6,997 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does New Mexico have?
33, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know