City · New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, city, in Chaves County, New Mexico. Roswell had 46,878 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 48,422 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 47,638 (±40). GEOID 3564930.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
46,878
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 48,422 · ACS 2020-2024: 47,638 ±40
Median household income
$51,583
±$3,711 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$152,600
±$9,883 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$876
±$60 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
Where is Roswell and what county is it in?
Roswell is a city in Chaves County, New Mexico. It covers 29.7 square miles of land, 1,629 residents per square mile in 2020.
Roswell is in the Roswell, NM micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Roswell, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 46,878 people lived in Roswell on July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020 Census counted 48,422 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 47,638 (±40).
| Measure | Roswell | Chaves County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 47,638 ±40 | 64,217 | −303 |
| Households | 17,838 ±496 | 23,712 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.59 ±0.07 | 2.61 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,994 ±338 | 26,864 | no clear change |
Roswell's population since 2000
From 45,293 in 2000 to 46,878 in 2025: up 3.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Roswell as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Roswell?
The median resident of Roswell is 37.1 years old; 24.7% are under 18 and 16.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 60.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 33.6%. 11.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Roswell | Chaves County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.1 ±1.3 | 37.2 | +2.2 |
| Under 18 years | 24.7% ±0.9 pts | 24.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.0% ±0.8 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±0.8 pts | 50.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 60.7% ±1.4 pts | 58.4% | +2.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 33.6% ±1.3 pts | 36.1% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±0.4 pts | 1.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.2 pts | 1.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.4 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.2% ±1.4 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 34.8% ±2.7 pts | 35.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6% ±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 20.8% ±2.1 pts | 19.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.2% ±1.5 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.1% ±2.4 pts | 80.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.6% ±1.9 pts | 17.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.9% ±1.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.6% ±2.7 pts | 86.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4% ±0.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Roswell earn?
Half of Roswell's 17,838 households earn less than $51,583 a year (±$3,711), against $52,938 in Chaves County and $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 it was $53,378 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 26.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Roswell | Chaves County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,583 ±$3,711 | $52,938 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,275 ±$5,190 | $74,868 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,093 ±$2,016 | $28,881 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 26.0% ±3.5 pts | 24.3% | +6.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 34.2% ±7.5 pts | 32.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.0% ±3.1 pts | 25.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.7% ±2.0 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.5% ±2.6 pts | 83.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Roswell?
Owners occupy 68.6% of Roswell's occupied homes and renters 31.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,600 by its owner (±$9,883). The median renter pays $876 a month including utilities, and 42.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Roswell | Chaves County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,600 ±$9,883 | $156,400 | +$23,254 |
| Median gross rent | $876 ±$60 | $867 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.1% ±6.3 pts | 39.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,313 ±$64 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.6% ±2.7 pts | 71.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 31.4% ±2.7 pts | 28.7% | – |
| Housing units | 19,994 ±338 | 26,864 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1% ±3.3 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.7% ±2.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.0% ±1.4 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.7% ±1.3 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.8% ±1.4 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.5% ±1.5 pts | 5.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Roswell building?
Builders took permits for 54 new housing units in Roswell in 2025 (54 in single-family houses), 1.2 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across New Mexico.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Roswell work and get to work?
81.8% of Roswell's workers drive alone and 5.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Roswell | Chaves County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.4% ±2.3 pts | 55.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% ±1.2 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.8% ±2.8 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5% ±2.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.3% ±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.0% ±1.3 pts | 5.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.2 min ±1.5 | 19.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Roswell?
12 census tracts lie mostly in Roswell, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $26,194 (Tract 5) to $80,536 (Tract 10.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 10.01Chaves County | 6,086 | $80,536 |
| Tract 8Chaves County | 5,561 | $68,887 |
| Tract 7Chaves County | 4,870 | $52,273 |
| Tract 4Chaves County | 4,722 | $34,548 |
| Tract 6Chaves County | 4,357 | $35,385 |
| Tract 2.02Chaves County | 3,441 | $29,643 |
| Tract 2.01Chaves County | 3,312 | $76,467 |
| Tract 10.02Chaves County | 3,967 | $75,119 |
| Tract 3.01Chaves County | 3,186 | $51,600 |
| Tract 3.02Chaves County | 3,116 | $29,196 |
| Tract 9Chaves County | 3,502 | $66,683 |
| Tract 5Chaves County | 1,818 | $26,194 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Roswell) · Census block assignment files
How does Roswell compare with other places in New Mexico?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Roswell is the 875th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 105 in New Mexico.
Roswell ranks 87th of 143 places in New Mexico with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 51st | 61 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th | 155 |
| Median household income | 87th | 143 |
| Per capita income | 79th | 154 |
| Median home value | 93rd | 138 |
| Median gross rent | 69th | 114 |
| Poverty rate | 39th | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 80th | 128 |
| Median age | 95th | 154 |
| Owner-occupied share | 106th | 150 |
| Work from home | 72nd | 78 |
| Travel time to work | 112th | 150 |
Roswell's figures with every place in New Mexico (CSV)
Every place in New Mexico, sortable · Compare Roswell with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Roswell?
4 of the 57 figures for Roswell on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Roswell are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Roswell.