Roswell, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Roswell, New Mexico had a total population of 47,638, the 5th largest city in New Mexico, with a median household income of $51,583, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Roswell is the 5th largest city in New Mexico with a population of 47,638.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Roswell Quick Facts
How Roswell 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 | 47,823 | 47,638 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $50,294 | $51,583 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $139,200 | $152,600 | +9.6% |
How Roswell Compares
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+)
Roswell Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Chaves County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Roswell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 46,314 | $68,784 | $233,000 | 26.2% | 17.4% |
| Clovis | 37,942 | $54,820 | $169,400 | 23.5% | 21.7% |
| Hobbs | 40,252 | $64,021 | $191,300 | 17.3% | 19.7% |
| South Valley | 37,120 | $58,224 | $224,300 | 15.1% | 18.5% |
| Alamogordo | 31,307 | $55,952 | $172,900 | 25.5% | 16.6% |
Population Overview
Roswell is a mid-sized community located in New Mexico, within Chaves County. The total population is 47,638. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Roswell is 37.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Roswell is $51,583. This is 19% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.0%. This is 46% 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 $152,600. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $248,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 68.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Roswell is Hispanic or Latino, making up 60.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.6%.
Education
18.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Roswell, New Mexico is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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, New Mexico?
Roswell, New Mexico has a population of 47,638 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Roswell, NM?
The median household income in Roswell is $51,583, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Roswell, NM?
The poverty rate in Roswell is 26.0%. This means approximately 11,950 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Roswell, New Mexico?
Roswell's population is 33.6% White, 1.8% Black, 60.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Roswell, NM?
The median home value in Roswell is $152,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Roswell, New Mexico?
18.6% of adults (25+) in Roswell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.