County · New Mexico
Chaves County, New Mexico
Chaves County, New Mexico. Chaves County had 63,364 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.8% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 17 census tracts. GEOID 35005.
Chaves County is the county of the Roswell, NM micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
63,364
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 65,157 · ACS 2020-2024: 64,217
Median household income
$52,938
±$2,795 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$156,400
±$9,252 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$867
±$61 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
How many people live in Chaves County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 65,157 residents in Chaves County. The Census Bureau estimates 63,364 for July 1, 2025, down 2.8% since 2020, while New Mexico grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 64,217 over 6,067 square miles of land.
| Measure | Chaves County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 64,217 | 2,120,246 | −927 |
| Households | 23,712±501 | 837,414 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.06 | 2.48 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 26,864±50 | 956,964 | −415 |
Chaves County's population since 2000
From 61,382 in 2000 to 63,364 in 2025: up 3.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Chaves County?
Chaves County holds 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Roswell with 46,878 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chaves County?
The median resident of Chaves County is 37.2 years old; 24.6% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 58.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 36.1%. 11.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chaves County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.2±0.6 | 39.4 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 24.6%±0.2 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5%±0.1 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 58.4% | 48.4% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 36.1%±0.4 pts | 36.0% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.3%±1.1 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 35.0%±2.0 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5%±0.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 19.6%±1.7 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.8%±1.5 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.9%±1.8 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.9%±1.6 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.3%±0.9 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Chaves County earn?
Half of Chaves County's 23,712 households earn less than $52,938 a year (±$2,795), against $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 it was $53,362 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 24.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chaves County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,938±$2,795 | $64,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,868±$4,173 | $88,155 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,881±$1,619 | $36,218 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.3%±2.8 pts | 17.8% | +4.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 32.0%±6.3 pts | 24.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.0%±2.5 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.0%±2.2 pts | 86.5% | – |
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 Chaves County?
Owners occupy 71.3% of Chaves County's occupied homes and renters 28.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $156,400 by its owner (±$9,252). The median renter pays $867 a month including utilities, and 39.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chaves County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $156,400±$9,252 | $248,100 | +$22,624 |
| Median gross rent | $867±$61 | $1,067 | −$82 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.8%±5.5 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,345±$63 | $1,564 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.3%±2.3 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 26,864±50 | 956,964 | −415 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.4%±2.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.5%±2.3 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.2%±1.6 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.4%±1.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
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 Chaves County building?
Builders took permits for 75 new housing units across Chaves County in 2025 (75 single-family), 1.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Chaves County get to work?
81.8% of Chaves County's workers drive alone and 5.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Chaves County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.8%±1.7 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0%±1.0 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.8%±2.0 pts | 73.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±1.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.4%±1.1 pts | 12.2% | +3.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.3 min±1.1 | 23.5 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 are Chaves County's census tracts?
Chaves County is divided into 17 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,194 (Tract 5) to $80,536 (Tract 10.01).
| Tract 2.0135005000201 | 3,312±776 | $76,467 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2.0235005000202 | 3,441±543 | $29,643 |
| Tract 3.0135005000301 | 3,186±639 | $51,600 |
| Tract 3.0235005000302 | 3,116±492 | $29,196 |
| Tract 435005000400 | 4,722±770 | $34,548 |
| Tract 535005000500 | 1,818±351 | $26,194 |
| Tract 635005000600 | 4,357±674 | $35,385 |
| Tract 735005000700 | 4,870±613 | $52,273 |
| Tract 835005000800 | 5,561±746 | $68,887 |
| Tract 935005000900 | 3,502±626 | $66,683 |
| Tract 10.0135005001001 | 6,086±754 | $80,536 |
| Tract 10.0235005001002 | 3,967±498 | $75,119 |
| Tract 11.0135005001101 | 5,320±740 | $44,549 |
| Tract 11.0235005001102 | 3,628±536 | $69,811 |
| Tract 1235005001200 | 1,333±326 | $75,294 |
| Tract 1335005001300 | 3,327±446 | $37,694 |
| Tract 1435005001400 | 2,671±411 | $68,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Chaves County compare with New Mexico's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 33 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 33 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th of 33 |
| Median household income | 18th of 32 |
| Median home value | 20th of 32 |
| Median gross rent | 18th of 31 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 33 |
| Median age | 24th of 33 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Chaves County 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' school search.