Chaves County, New Mexico
County in New Mexico, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chaves County is a county in New Mexico, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,157.[1] Its county seat is Roswell.[2] Chaves County was named for Colonel Jose Francisco Chaves, a military leader there during the Civil War and later in Navajo campaigns. The county was created by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature on February 25, 1889, out of land from Lincoln County.
Chaves County, New Mexico | |
|---|---|
Chaves County Courthouse in Roswell | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico | |
| Coordinates: 33°22′N 104°28′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Mexico |
| Founded | February 25, 1889 |
| Named after | José Francisco Chaves |
| Seat | Roswell |
| Largest city | Roswell |
| Area | |
• Total | 6,075 sq mi (15,730 km2) |
| • Land | 6,065 sq mi (15,710 km2) |
| • Water | 9.8 sq mi (25 km2) 0.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 65,157 |
| • Density | 11/sq mi (4.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st, 2nd, 3rd |
| Website | co |
Chaves County comprises the Roswell, New Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,075 square miles (15,730 km2), of which 6,065 square miles (15,710 km2) is land and 9.8 square miles (25 km2) (0.2%) is water.[3] It is the fourth-largest county in New Mexico by area.
Adjacent counties
- De Baca County - north
- Roosevelt County - northeast
- Lea County - east
- Eddy County - south
- Otero County - southwest
- Lincoln County - west
National protected areas
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 4,773 | — | |
| 1910 | 16,850 | 253.0% | |
| 1920 | 12,075 | −28.3% | |
| 1930 | 19,549 | 61.9% | |
| 1940 | 23,980 | 22.7% | |
| 1950 | 40,605 | 69.3% | |
| 1960 | 57,649 | 42.0% | |
| 1970 | 43,335 | −24.8% | |
| 1980 | 51,103 | 17.9% | |
| 1990 | 57,849 | 13.2% | |
| 2000 | 61,382 | 6.1% | |
| 2010 | 65,645 | 6.9% | |
| 2020 | 65,157 | −0.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 63,561 | [4] | −2.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7] 1990-2000[8] 2010[9] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 65,157. The median age was 36.1 years, with 26.4% of residents under the age of 18 and 15.9% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.4 males age 18 and over.[10]
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[11] | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 31,970 | 28,801 | 24,445 | 52.08% | 43.87% | 37.52% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,088 | 1,079 | 947 | 1.77% | 1.64% | 1.45% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 410 | 458 | 411 | 0.67% | 0.70% | 0.63% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 290 | 373 | 611 | 0.47% | 0.57% | 0.94% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 29 | 29 | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 55 | 120 | 258 | 0.09% | 0.18% | 0.40% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 652 | 646 | 1,359 | 1.06% | 0.98% | 2.09% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26,904 | 34,139 | 37,097 | 43.83% | 52.01% | 56.93% |
| Total | 61,382 | 65,645 | 65,157 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 56.2% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 1.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 20.6% from some other race, and 18.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 56.9% of the population.[14]
74.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 25.1% lived in rural areas.[15]
There were 23,521 households in the county, of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[10]
There were 26,658 housing units, of which 11.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.8% were owner-occupied and 32.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.[10]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 65,645 people, 23,691 households, and 16,646 families living in the county.[16] The population density was 10.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.2 inhabitants/km2). There were 26,697 housing units at an average density of 4.4 units per square mile (1.7 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 70.9% white, 2.0% black or African American, 1.2% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 21.9% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 52.0% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 10.1% were German, 9.3% were Irish, 8.5% were English, and 4.6% were American.[18]
Of the 23,691 households, 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were non-families, and 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.22. The median age was 34.7 years.[16]
The median income for a household in the county was $37,524 and the median income for a family was $43,464. Males had a median income of $37,573 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,504. About 15.9% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.[19]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[20] there were 61,382 people, 22,561 households, and 16,085 families living in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 25,647 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.95% White, 1.97% Black or African American, 1.13% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 21.25% from other races, and 3.12% from two or more races. 43.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 22,561 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,513, and the median income for a family was $32,532. Males had a median income of $26,896 versus $21,205 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,990. About 17.60% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.10% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Chaves County is a Republican stronghold. No Democratic presidential candidate has won Chaves County since Lyndon Johnson's landslide victory of 1964. Even in that election, Johnson took Chaves County by only 1.3 percent.[21]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 465 | 18.24% | 1,339 | 52.53% | 745 | 29.23% |
| 1916 | 862 | 25.90% | 2,275 | 68.36% | 191 | 5.74% |
| 1920 | 1,765 | 45.54% | 2,080 | 53.66% | 31 | 0.80% |
| 1924 | 1,519 | 39.40% | 2,168 | 56.24% | 168 | 4.36% |
| 1928 | 3,124 | 69.48% | 1,364 | 30.34% | 8 | 0.18% |
| 1932 | 1,830 | 28.95% | 4,257 | 67.34% | 235 | 3.72% |
| 1936 | 2,505 | 35.70% | 4,394 | 62.62% | 118 | 1.68% |
| 1940 | 2,981 | 40.84% | 4,304 | 58.97% | 14 | 0.19% |
| 1944 | 3,149 | 48.33% | 3,350 | 51.41% | 17 | 0.26% |
| 1948 | 3,123 | 40.43% | 4,569 | 59.15% | 33 | 0.43% |
| 1952 | 7,018 | 63.92% | 3,880 | 35.34% | 81 | 0.74% |
| 1956 | 7,538 | 63.37% | 4,270 | 35.89% | 88 | 0.74% |
| 1960 | 9,089 | 59.05% | 6,212 | 40.36% | 91 | 0.59% |
| 1964 | 8,419 | 49.20% | 8,650 | 50.55% | 43 | 0.25% |
| 1968 | 8,866 | 63.61% | 3,612 | 25.91% | 1,460 | 10.47% |
| 1972 | 11,493 | 70.87% | 4,296 | 26.49% | 427 | 2.63% |
| 1976 | 10,631 | 59.26% | 7,139 | 39.79% | 170 | 0.95% |
| 1980 | 12,502 | 67.24% | 5,350 | 28.77% | 742 | 3.99% |
| 1984 | 15,248 | 73.37% | 5,332 | 25.66% | 202 | 0.97% |
| 1988 | 13,367 | 65.84% | 6,730 | 33.15% | 206 | 1.01% |
| 1992 | 8,872 | 46.95% | 6,360 | 33.65% | 3,666 | 19.40% |
| 1996 | 9,991 | 53.95% | 7,014 | 37.87% | 1,514 | 8.18% |
| 2000 | 11,378 | 62.69% | 6,340 | 34.93% | 431 | 2.37% |
| 2004 | 14,773 | 68.06% | 6,726 | 30.99% | 206 | 0.95% |
| 2008 | 13,651 | 61.74% | 8,197 | 37.07% | 264 | 1.19% |
| 2012 | 13,088 | 64.50% | 6,604 | 32.54% | 600 | 2.96% |
| 2016 | 12,872 | 63.50% | 5,534 | 27.30% | 1,865 | 9.20% |
| 2020 | 15,656 | 69.76% | 6,381 | 28.43% | 406 | 1.81% |
| 2024 | 15,894 | 71.59% | 5,941 | 26.76% | 365 | 1.64% |
Communities
City
- Roswell (county seat)
Towns
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
- Dunken
- Elk
- Elkins
- Greenfield
- Mesa
Education
School districts include:[23]
- Artesia Public Schools
- Dexter Consolidated Schools
- Elida Municipal Schools
- Hagerman Municipal Schools
- Lake Arthur Municipal Schools
- Roswell Independent Schools
- Tatum Municipal Schools
Notable people
- Jacqueline Wonsetler (1918–1974), American meteorologist
