City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Roswell, NM

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Roswell - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

47,823
Residents
$50,294
Median income
$139,200
Median home
$1,071
Median rent (state)

Roswell - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Roswell places in the 20th percentile for household income and the 12th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
24th
percentile, home value
26th
percentile, median rent
12th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Roswell, NM

Roswell is a small city in New Mexico, home to 47,823 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Roswell brings in $50,294 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.5%. Roswell's housing stock carries a median value of $139,200, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. About 19.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 52.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 61 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 36% from five years earlier. Roswell's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3357.1 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New Mexico scores 92.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,071 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $167 across New Mexico, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Roswell report an average commute of 16.7 minutes, with 83.1% driving alone and 4.5% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 87.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

47,823 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$50,294 /yr

Poverty 20.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Roswell compare to other US cities?

Here's how Roswell stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 24% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% pricier than other cities
Safety 12% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Mexico alone, Roswell ranks #32 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Roswell's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Mexico, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

20thIncome percentile
12thSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 12th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Roswell's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Roswell's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 36 Avg. percentile National median
Roswell's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Roswell's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$139,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 76% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Roswell $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Roswell, NM Roswell, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Roswell, NM-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Roswell, NM median $50,294/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Roswell, NM's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Roswell, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
47,823
Median Income
$50,294
Median Home Value
$139,200
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
20.5%
Labor force participation
52.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3357.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
848.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2508.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
22
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
46,500 residents47,000 residents47,500 residents48,000 residents48,500 residents49,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 48,437 residents 46,878 residents ▼ -3.2%
Roswell's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
61
housing units authorized
Single-Family
61
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 45
2020 44
2021 67
2022 67
2023 53
2024 61

Permit volume increased 36% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.7 minutes
Drive Alone
83.1%
Carpool
8.4%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
4.5%
Other
1.7%

Based on 19,049 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Mexico - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$167
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Mexico state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Mexico state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Roswell sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,071/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Farmington
46,339 people
Hobbs
39,887 people
Clovis
38,153 people
South Valley
36,605 people
Carlsbad
31,813 people
Alamogordo
31,063 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Roswell's 47,823 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ocoee, FL
47,885 people
North Highlands, CA
47,900 people
Wilson, NC
47,740 people
Charleston, WV
47,918 people
Minot, ND
47,922 people
Wauwatosa, WI
47,718 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Roswell's $50,294 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fredonia, AL
$50,294 median income
Farmington, MS
$50,294 median income
Coleman, TX
$50,294 median income
Bryan, OH
$50,295 median income
Rainbow Lakes Estates, FL
$50,298 median income
Sandstone, MN
$50,288 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Roswell, NM Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Roswell, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.2% 13.9% 19.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 61.1% White 62.2% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 13.9% Two or more races 19.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Roswell compares to nearby New Mexico cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Roswell (this city) 47,823 $50,294
Farmington 46,339 $63,745
Hobbs 39,887 $65,691
Clovis 38,153 $54,029
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Roswell, NM?

What is the population of Roswell, NM? +

47,823 people live in Roswell, NM according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Roswell, NM? +

Median annual household income in Roswell runs $50,294, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Roswell? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Roswell; the closest available measure is the New Mexico state average, a cost of living index of 92.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Mexico vary by metro area.

Is Roswell, NM safe? +

Roswell has a total crime rate of 3357.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Roswell, NM? +

Homes in Roswell carry a median value of $139,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.