POVERTY IN NEW MEXICO*

-Population Estimate – 2022 Census = 2,109,093  

-New Mexico poverty rate is 18.2%.   National average is 14.6%  

-New Mexico’s poverty rate, nationally, ranks 2nd , Mississippi ranks 1st  

-1 in 4.9 people in New Mexico lives in poverty  

-Child poverty in New Mexico is 49th in the nation (25% of children)  

-Food insecurity is 14.2%  

WHY??  

-Our status quo Governor/Legislature are not bringing jobs to New Mexico

-Generous parental unemployment benefits are discouraging people from going back to work 

-Drugs 

-Education levels 

-Minimum wage is $11.50/hour – “Mom and Pop” shops are being forced to close due to the increasing minimum wage. As a result their jobs are going away.  

WHAT TO DO?

Elect candidates that are innovators with "know how"

*Center on Poverty and Social Policy, Columbia University, March 2021