When it comes to crime, Las Cruces City is not as bad as you might think. Although the crime rate in Las Cruces is relatively high, people who don't live in the area may not see the same dangers that the city's residents do. For example, in some blocks with many retail establishments, crime is more likely to occur than in blocks where few people live. Thus, a red area on the crime rate map doesn't necessarily indicate danger to residents.
In addition to racial diversity, Las Cruces City also offers an excellent quality of life. The majority of Las Cruces residents are white, although Hispanics make up the largest minority group. There are also smaller percentages of Asians and American Indians. There are no significant differences between the two sex groups, although it's possible that the latter are largely due to census data.
Despite this disparity, the city's rental market also highlights a gap in income. Higher-income households live in units priced below 50% AMI. Lower-income households spend the most on housing. The median-priced units cost more than 80% AMI, which makes them difficult to afford for those with low incomes. However, the rental market is also challenging. Most rental units in Las Cruces are priced above the median income, so people who are struggling to make ends meet are likely to find them unaffordable.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the median age of residents in Las Cruces is 34 years old, while the median age in New Mexico is 37 years old. This trend might be due to the lower number of college students. It's difficult to know for sure because of the lack of data. However, there is evidence that the decrease in college-age residents could be due to declining enrollment in New Mexico State University, since the census missed most college-age residents.