People Are Vanishing In El Paso – Sort Of

Ok, they're not exactly "vanishing". They're just leaving El Paso and, for some reason, they're doing it in record numbers these days. Where, (and why), is everybody going?

Over 2,200 peeps bailed on El Paso between 2024 and 2025, setting a new record over the old one, 2017 - 2018, when 1,700 El Chuco-ans left the city. Surprisingly, the year we lost the most residents ever, 2024 - 2025, was also the year El Paso's population hit its highest peak, so far, 685,231.

Some of those that left may not have gone that far. Small towns near El Paso showed an increase in population over the same year. Las Cruces alone added 644 new residents.

Immigrations Impact On Population

Several trends such as rapidly declining birth rates, slowing immigration from Mexico and migration of young adults out of El Paso in search of better economic opportunities have slowed the city’s population growth over the past 15 years or longer. Now, national economic and political developments may also be playing a role, said Tom Fullerton, an economics professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.

READ MORE: El Paso Is A Great Winter City 

“The immigration crackdown in the United States has severely reduced population growth in El Paso, a place where international migrants frequently prefer to relocate,” Fullerton said. - elpasomatters.org

Where Does El Paso Rank In Population Loss?

When it comes to people leaving their cities, El Paso lost more than any other city in Texas and we were the 7th biggest "loser" in the USA. (You can see a graph here.) Two of our southwest neighbors made the top 10 just ahead of us.

1. New York, NY
2. Memphis, TN
3. Los Angeles, CA
4. St Louis, MO
5. Albuquerque, NM
6. Tucson, AZ
7. El Paso, TX
8. Hialeah, FL
9. Escondido, CA
10. St. Petersburg, FL

California and Florida were the only states to make the top 10 twice.

Why Did People Move?

Don't quote me on this but ...

Several small towns near El Paso saw population growth last year and 3 were in New Mexico - Las Cruces, Anthony and Sunland Park. Pot is legal in New Mexico and Sunland Park sells tons of it. They also have the largest dispensary in the state. Just sayin'.