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Roswell city, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026

5th Largest5th most populous city in New Mexico

As of 2026, Roswell city, New Mexico has a total population of 47,823, the 5th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $50,294, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.2%.

Key Takeaways

Roswell city Quick Facts

Population 47,823
Median Household Income $50,294
Median Home Value $139,200
Poverty Rate 24.2%
Unemployment Rate 5.9%
Median Age 36.8 years
Homeownership Rate 66.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 19.6%
High School Graduation Rate 81.0%
Diversity Index 51/100
Population 47,823 5th of 492
Median Income $50,294 average
Poverty Rate 24.2% 95% higher national
Median Home Value $139,200 below average

How Roswell city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.9% Unemployment Rate State: 6.0% | National: 5.2%
55.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.4%
Renter 33.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

51out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 61 | National average: 60

Education

Roswell city Rankings in New Mexico

#5 Population of 492
#205 Median Income of 492
#212 Education of 492
#221 Home Value of 492

Cities Similar to Roswell city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Farmington city46,339$63,745$225,40022.8%19.7%
Clovis city38,153$54,029$160,00021.3%22.3%
South Valley CDP36,605$51,062$205,20014.7%19.2%
Hobbs city39,887$65,691$180,70016.6%20.5%
Alamogordo city31,063$52,515$163,60025.2%17.7%

Population Overview

Roswell city is a mid-sized community located in New Mexico. The total population is 47,823. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 492 cities and towns in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Roswell city is 36.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Roswell city is $50,294. This is 19% lower than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.2%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. 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 5.9%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $139,200. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Roswell city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Roswell city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 61.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.6%.

Education

19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Roswell city, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 492 Census-designated places in New Mexico. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all New Mexico city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Roswell city, New Mexico?

Roswell city, New Mexico has a population of 47,823 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Roswell city is $50,294, which is 36% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Roswell city, NM?

The poverty rate in Roswell city is 24.2%. This means approximately 11,137 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Roswell city, New Mexico?

Roswell city's population is 33.6% White, 1.7% Black, 61.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.

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

The median home value in Roswell city is $139,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.

How educated is Roswell city, New Mexico?

19.6% of adults (25+) in Roswell city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.