Why isn't NM growing fast like other SW states ?

[Ban my account ffs!]

The mormons only have a noticeable impact on,population structure in Utah.  New Mexico missed out for many reasons... But Mormonism and Vegas aren't why.

New Mexico lives up to its name with a distinctive Native and Mexican culture.  That and the cities being smaller have stifled migration there... As has the weather.  New Mexico gets the coldest of the southern tier states.  Its 41°F in Santa Fe at the moment.  It's high desert scrub and mountains with pinyon and juniper in between.  It is more like southern Colorado and Northern Mexico than like Texas or Arizona.

So rather than draw retirees to a warm, dry snowbird type setup... They draw more permanent and liberal minded retirees that like art galleries and Native American trinkets that they can decorate their adobe style homes with.

It's to the southwest what Louisiana is to the deep south.  A bit different and unique.