New Mexico Cities by Population 2026

New Mexico’s local governance includes 33 counties and over 100 incorporated municipalities, including cities, towns, and villages. Given the state’s vast rural areas, counties play an essential role in providing services to both incorporated and unincorporated regions.

Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, operates under a mayor-council government, where the mayor oversees daily administration and city services such as public safety, water, and transportation. The Albuquerque City Council handles legislative tasks, with direct control over policy, zoning, and budget allocation, making it a fully autonomous city within Bernalillo County.

Santa Fe, the state capital, uses a council-manager form of government, where a city manager administers services based on the council’s policy direction. This system allows Santa Fe to maintain municipal independence, overseeing areas like cultural preservation, tourism, and public health, aligning with its unique historical and cultural identity.

Counties, especially in rural areas like Sandoval County and Otero County, manage unincorporated lands and provide services such as law enforcement, emergency management, and infrastructure maintenance. County commissions, made up of elected officials, oversee these functions, ensuring that residents in rural regions receive necessary support.

New Mexico’s vast unincorporated regions, including Native American tribal lands, are often outside municipal boundaries. Counties administer services for these areas, though sovereign tribal governments manage services on reservation lands, including law enforcement, health, and infrastructure.

Unincorporated communities in New Mexico depend on county governance, particularly in remote areas where municipal incorporation is impractical. Counties provide essential services, such as emergency response, road maintenance, and public health, ensuring consistent support across sparsely populated regions.

Statewide, councils of government and regional planning organizations encourage collaboration between municipalities, counties, and Native American tribes, addressing shared concerns like environmental conservation, economic development, and transportation.