Chaves County, New Mexico Demographics 2026
Chaves County, New Mexico has a population of 64,217, the 10th most populous county in New Mexico. The median household income is $52,938 and the median home value is $156,400. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chaves County Quick Facts
How Chaves County Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,446 | 64,217 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $52,029 | $52,938 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $141,900 | $156,400 | +10.2% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Chaves County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roswell | 47,638 | $51,583 | 26.0% | $152,600 |
| Dexter | 1,128 | $43,846 | 41.3% | $97,500 |
| Hagerman | 849 | $64,674 | 14.4% | $109,600 |
| Midway | 541 | $44,258 | 20.7% | $178,400 |
| Lake Arthur | 478 | $76,429 | 7.5% | $116,100 |
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Population Overview
Chaves County is located in New Mexico with a total population of 64,217. It is the 10th most populous county out of 33 in New Mexico. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chaves County is 37.2 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chaves County is $52,938. This is 17% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $156,400. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 71.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chaves County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 58.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.1%.
Education
17.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Chaves County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against New Mexico and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chaves County, New Mexico?
Chaves County has a population of 64,217, making it the 10th most populous county in New Mexico.
What is the median income in Chaves County?
The median household income in Chaves County is $52,938 with a poverty rate of 24.3%.
How many cities are in Chaves County, New Mexico?
Chaves County contains 5 Census-designated places.