Population63,364 (2025 est.)
A Valley Center With Railway Connections
Chaves County, New MexicoRoswell anchors Chaves County in the Pecos Valley, with a local history that includes an early store, railway development and the establishment of the New Mexico Military Institute. These community milestones offer a grounded introduction to the county beyond any single popular association with the city. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 63,364 residents in Chaves County, New Mexico, on July 1, 2025.
Chaves County at a Glance
Population63,364 (2025 est.)
County SeatRoswell
Largest CityRoswell
Established1889 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water6,075 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Chaves County
Roswell's historical account identifies an early store established in 1869, followed by the New Mexico Military Institute in 1891 and railway arrival in 1893. The county's name honors José Francisco Chaves. Together, these details connect commerce, education and transportation in the development of the county seat. The Pecos Valley provides the wider geographic setting, while the sequence of local institutions shows how Roswell became more than a stop on a route through the region.
Use Roswell's own history as a starting point for exploring Chaves County. The early commercial center, military institute and railway story offer different themes for a visit or research project. Check each institution's current visitor arrangements rather than assuming campus or building access. A wider county perspective keeps the Pecos Valley in view and gives room to the everyday civic and economic history that developed alongside the city's better-known public image.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Roswell anchors Chaves County in the Pecos Valley, with a local history that includes an early store, railway development and the establishment of the New Mexico Military Institute.
The Local Story
Roswell's historical account identifies an early store established in 1869, followed by the New Mexico Military Institute in 1891 and railway arrival in 1893.
Explore The County
Use Roswell's own history as a starting point for exploring Chaves County. The early commercial center, military institute and railway story offer different themes for a visit or research project.
Discover the local foundations beneath a familiar city name.
A Closer Look
Chaves County
Places and perspectives from Chaves County
Chaves County headlines via Google News
New audio-visual equipment for two county government building areas - nm.news
New audio-visual equipment for two county government building areas nm.news
Read the Story Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Chaves County
Stories from every corner of Chaves County.
New audio-visual equipment for two county government building areas - nm.news
New audio-visual equipment for two county government building areas nm.news
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Flash Flood Warning in Chaves County, NM, Remains Until 5 AM MDT Amid Heavy Rain - Forth.News
Flash Flood Warning in Chaves County, NM, Remains Until 5 AM MDT Amid Heavy Rain Forth.News
Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read
Albuquerque NWS Issues Flash Flood Warning for Chaves County Amid Heavy Rainfall - Forth.News
Albuquerque NWS Issues Flash Flood Warning for Chaves County Amid Heavy Rainfall Forth.News
Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read
Severe Flash Flood Warning Issued for Northeastern Chaves County, NM, Until Midnight - Forth.News
Severe Flash Flood Warning Issued for Northeastern Chaves County, NM, Until Midnight Forth.News
Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read
Severe Flash Flood Warning Issued for Chaves and Lincoln Counties Until 11:30 PM MDT - Forth.News
Severe Flash Flood Warning Issued for Chaves and Lincoln Counties Until 11:30 PM MDT Forth.News
Sep 24, 2026 • 2 min read
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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.
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.
Penasco Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-08. 12 DUNKIN RD, HOPE, NM 88250. 575-746-3585.
Dexter Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 400 WEST 1ST, DEXTER, NM 88230. 575-734-5420.
Hagerman Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 406 NORTH CAMBRIDGE AVE, HAGERMAN, NM 88232. 575-752-3254.
Lake Arthur Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 700 BROADWAY, LAKE ARTHUR, NM 88253. 575-365-2000.
Berrendo Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 505 WEST PINE LODGE RD, ROSWELL, NM 88201. 575-627-2875.
Dexter High – High; grades 09-12. 100 NORTH LINCOLN, DEXTER, NM 88230. 575-734-5420.
Dexter Middle – Middle; grades 06-08. 100 NORTH LINCOLN, DEXTER, NM 88230. 575-734-5420.
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.
Eastern New Mexico Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 405 W Country Club Road, Roswell, NM 88201. 575-624-8722.
Lovelace Regional Hospital – Roswell – Acute Care Hospitals. 117 East 19Th Street, Roswell, NM 88201. 575-625-3345.
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.
Roswell Public Library – 301 N. Pennsylvania Ave, Roswell, NM 88201. 575-622-7101.
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 Chaves County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Chaves County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
63,364 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
6,075.081 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.
Roswell's historical account identifies an early store established in 1869, followed by the New Mexico Military Institute in 1891 and railway arrival in 1893. The county's name honors José Francisco Chaves. Together, these details connect commerce, education and transportation in the development of the county seat. The Pecos Valley provides the wider geographic setting, while the sequence of local institutions shows how Roswell became more than a stop on a route through the region.
Use Roswell's own history as a starting point for exploring Chaves County. The early commercial center, military institute and railway story offer different themes for a visit or research project. Check each institution's current visitor arrangements rather than assuming campus or building access. A wider county perspective keeps the Pecos Valley in view and gives room to the everyday civic and economic history that developed alongside the city's better-known public image.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 6,067.177 square miles of land and 7.904 square miles of water in Chaves 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, Chaves County had an estimated 65,154 residents on July 1, 2020, and 63,364 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population decreased by 1,790 residents, or about 2.7%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Roswell is the county seat listed for Chaves County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
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 Chaves CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Chaves County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Chaves County