RANK #92 / 1001 NAT · #4 / 11 NM · POP 64,217
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
Chaves County, New Mexico, is widely recognized for Roswell, its county seat, which draws visitors globally due to the alleged 1947 UFO incident. Beyond the extraterrestrial lore, the county, located in southeastern New Mexico, offers a blend of desert landscapes and the Pecos River valley. It is approximately three hours southeast of Albuquerque. Commutes within the main city of Roswell are generally manageable, and the community maintains a small-town feel despite its notable reputation. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge providing habitat for migratory birds and diverse aquatic life, and Bottomless Lakes State Park offering opportunities for hiking, swimming, and kayaking amidst unique sinkhole lakes.
Life in Chaves County is characterized by a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on community values, appealing to families and retirees. The public school districts in Chaves County, including Roswell Independent Schools, Dexter Consolidated Schools, Hagerman Municipal Schools, and Lake Arthur Municipal Schools, are noted for their quality. The local economy is supported by diverse sectors such as agriculture, dairying, ranching, and manufacturing. Recent economic developments indicate growth in areas like retail trade, construction, and oil and gas extraction, with ongoing investments in data centers and energy.
Chaves County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -1.2% YoY, population -0.4%, wages +2.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Housing looks overvalued at 9.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Zenith Volts Corp. Data Center Campus
Zenith Volts Corp.
|
$6,000M | Approved |
|
Chaves Battery/Storage Portfolio (3 projects)
Undisclosed
|
$509M | Planned |
|
Coyote Willow Energy Park (Solar & Battery Storage)
Undisclosed (NextEra Energy Resources is a major developer in the area)
|
$375M | Planned |
|
Roswell and Chaves County Solar Energy Centers
NextEra Energy Resources and Xcel Energy
|
$140M | Operating |
|
Chaves County Solar II
Chaves County Solar II, LLC
|
$30M | Built |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Chaves County ranks #92 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 91/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.7% and a median household income of $52,938 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Chaves County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $156,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $867/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Chaves County are both close to flat — population -0.4% YoY and jobs +0.7%. Home values shifted -1.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.58% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Chaves County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.