Population18,615 (2025 est.)
A Railway Town With A Springside Name
Roosevelt County, New MexicoPortales anchors Roosevelt County, with a name connected to rock formations near old springs and a development story tied to the railway. Its history moves from the arrival of rail service through county formation and city incorporation, giving the community several distinct early milestones. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 18,615 residents in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, on July 1, 2025.
Roosevelt County at a Glance
Population18,615 (2025 est.)
County SeatPortales
Largest CityPortales
Established1903 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water2,453 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Roosevelt County
The railway connection between Roswell and Amarillo reached the Portales area in 1898. Roosevelt County followed in 1903, with Portales as its seat, and the city incorporated in 1909 after a period that included damaging fires. Local history connects the Portales name with cave-like openings in caliche formations near the old springs. The town's beginnings therefore combine a geographic naming story with the practical changes brought by transportation, government and rebuilding.
Use Portales as the starting point for the county's civic and railway history. The meaning of its name adds a geographic thread, but historical springs or rock formations should not be assumed to be public visitor sites. Current local information can identify appropriate destinations and interpretation. A visit or research project becomes more focused when the railway era, county-seat role and later incorporation are treated as related but separate stages of community development.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Portales anchors Roosevelt County, with a name connected to rock formations near old springs and a development story tied to the railway.
The Local Story
Roosevelt County followed in 1903, with Portales as its seat, and the city incorporated in 1909 after a period that included damaging fires.
Explore The County
The meaning of its name adds a geographic thread, but historical springs or rock formations should not be assumed to be public visitor sites.
Discover the local landscape behind a town's enduring name.
A Closer Look
Roosevelt County
Places and perspectives from Roosevelt County
Roosevelt County headlines via Google News
Ørsted starts construction on 200-MW Blackwater Solar project in New Mexico - Energies Media
Ørsted starts construction on 200-MW Blackwater Solar project in New Mexico Energies Media
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Roosevelt County
Stories from every corner of Roosevelt County.
Ørsted starts construction on 200-MW Blackwater Solar project in New Mexico - Energies Media
Ørsted starts construction on 200-MW Blackwater Solar project in New Mexico Energies Media
Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Ørsted Launches 200 MW Blackwater Solar Project in New Mexico - energynews.pro
Ørsted Launches 200 MW Blackwater Solar Project in New Mexico energynews.pro
Sep 30, 2026 • 2 min read
Ørsted Starts 200 MW Blackwater Solar Farm in New Mexico - News and Statistics - IndexBox
Ørsted Starts 200 MW Blackwater Solar Farm in New Mexico - News and Statistics IndexBox
Sep 30, 2026 • 2 min read
Ørsted solar project to also help restore New Mexico wetlands - Solar Power World
Ørsted solar project to also help restore New Mexico wetlands Solar Power World
Sep 30, 2026 • 2 min read
Heavy rain causing flooding, road closures throughout eastern New Mexico, Texas Panhandle - KFDA | NewsChannel 10
Heavy rain causing flooding, road closures throughout eastern New Mexico, Texas Panhandle KFDA | NewsChannel 10
Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read
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County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Dora Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-06. 100 SCHOOL ST, DORA, NM 88115. 575-477-2216.
Elida Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-06. 103 NORTH CHURCH, ELIDA, NM 88116. 575-274-6211.
Floyd Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-04. 1564 NM 267, FLOYD, NM 88118. 575-478-2211.
Brown Early Childhood Center – Elementary; grades PK-KG. 520 WEST 5TH ST, PORTALES, NM 88130. 575-356-7075.
Dora High – High; grades 07-12. 100 SCHOOL ST, DORA, NM 88115. 575-477-2216.
Floyd Middle – Middle; grades 05-08. 1564 NM 267, FLOYD, NM 88118. 575-478-2211.
Elida High – High; grades 07-12. 101 NORTH CHURCH, ELIDA, NM 88116. 575-274-6211.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Roosevelt General Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 42121 Us Highway 70, Portales, NM 88130. 575-356-3412.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Portales Public Library – 218 S. Ave. B, Portales, NM 88130. 575-356-3940.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
New Mexico — How to Title a Vehicle
New Mexico — Renew a Vehicle Registration
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Roosevelt County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Roosevelt County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
18,615 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,453.263 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official New Mexico resources: Maps & Locations; How to Title a Vehicle; Renew a Vehicle Registration. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
The railway connection between Roswell and Amarillo reached the Portales area in 1898. Roosevelt County followed in 1903, with Portales as its seat, and the city incorporated in 1909 after a period that included damaging fires. Local history connects the Portales name with cave-like openings in caliche formations near the old springs. The town's beginnings therefore combine a geographic naming story with the practical changes brought by transportation, government and rebuilding.
Use Portales as the starting point for the county's civic and railway history. The meaning of its name adds a geographic thread, but historical springs or rock formations should not be assumed to be public visitor sites. Current local information can identify appropriate destinations and interpretation. A visit or research project becomes more focused when the railway era, county-seat role and later incorporation are treated as related but separate stages of community development.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 2,446.051 square miles of land and 7.212 square miles of water in Roosevelt County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Roosevelt County had an estimated 19,153 residents on July 1, 2020, and 18,615 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population decreased by 538 residents, or about 2.8%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Portales is the county seat listed for Roosevelt County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Roosevelt CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Roosevelt County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Roosevelt County