Roswell
RANK #917 / 996 NAT · #11 / 11 NM · POP 64,701
1YR FORECAST: -2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +11%
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.
Prices declining
Housing looks undervalued at 3.8x — home prices are low 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.
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 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Chaves County scores just 7/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #917 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.8% and median household income of $49,673 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Chaves County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $133,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $850/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Chaves County are hiring — job growth of +1.8% — but the population is close to flat (-0.5% YoY). Home values moved -3.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.76% 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.