View source for Roswell, New Mexico

{{For-multi|the 1947 debris recovery|Roswell incident|the TV series|Roswell, New Mexico (TV series){{!}}''Roswell, New Mexico'' (TV series)|other uses|Roswell}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Roswell, New Mexico
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
| image_skyline            = RoswellNM.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Skyline of Roswell, looking south along Main St.
| image_flag               = Flag of Roswell, New Mexico.svg
| image_seal               = Roswell NM logo.png
| image_map                = Chaves_County_New_Mexico_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Roswell_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Roswell in [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves County]], [[New Mexico]]
| pushpin_map              = USA
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief           = yes
| pushpin_label = Roswell
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[New Mexico]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Mexico|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves]]

| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[List of mayors of Roswell, New Mexico|Mayor]]
| leader_name              = [[Timothy Jennings]]
| leader_party             = [[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]
| leader_title1            = [[Councillor|Councilmember]]
| leader_name1             = <small>Ward 1: Cristina Arnold & Juan Oropesa<br>Ward 2: Juliana Halvorson & Will Cavin<br>Ward 3: Edward Heldenbrand & Matthew Chappell<br>Ward 4: Robert Corn & Darrell Johnson<br>Ward 5: Angela Moore & Carlos Marrujo</small>
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1871
| established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1        = February 25, 1889
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_35.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411011240/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_35.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 77.119
| area_land_km2            = 76.965
| area_water_km2           = 0.156
| area_total_sq_mi         = 29.776
| area_land_sq_mi          = 29.716
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.060
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 46669
| pop_est_as_of            = 2024
| pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total         = 48422
| population_density_km2   = 612.1
| population_density_sq_mi = 1585
| population_rank          = US: 856th<br>NM: [[List of municipalities in New Mexico|5th]]
| population_urban         = 48831
| population_metro         = 63561 (US: [[Micropolitan statistical area|146th]])
| timezone                 = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset               = –07:00
| timezone_DST             = [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = –06:00
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m              = 1102
| elevation_ft             = 3616
| coordinates              = {{Wikidatacoord|Q33561|region:US-NM_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 88201, 88202, 88203
| area_code                = [[Area code 575|575]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 35-64930
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2411003<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411003 }}</ref>
| blank2_name              = [[Sales tax]]
| blank2_info              = 7.9%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/new-mexico/cities/roswell.html |title=Roswell (NM) sales tax rate |access-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306180612/https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/new-mexico/cities/roswell.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.roswell-nm.gov/1248/City-of-Roswell|roswell-nm.gov}}
}}
 
'''Roswell''' ({{IPAc-en|'|r|ɒ|z|w|ɛ|l}} {{respell|RAHZ|well}}) is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Chaves County, New Mexico]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626142102/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The population was 48,422 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Roswell_city,_New_Mexico?g=160XX00US3564930 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=July 5, 2024}}</ref> making it the [[List of municipalities in New Mexico|fifth-most populous city]] in New Mexico. It is home to the [[New Mexico Military Institute]] (NMMI), founded in 1891. The city is also the location of an [[Eastern New Mexico University]] campus. [[Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge]] is located a few miles northeast of the city on the [[Pecos River]]. [[Bottomless Lakes State Park]] is located {{convert|12|mi}} east of Roswell on [[U.S. Route 380|US 380]]. Chaves County forms the entirety of the [[List of micropolitan areas in New Mexico|Roswell micropolitan area]].

The [[Roswell incident]] was named after the town, though the crash site of the alleged [[UFO]] was some {{convert|75|mi}} north of Roswell and closer to [[Corona, New Mexico|Corona]]. The investigation and debris recovery was handled by the local [[Roswell Army Air Field]]. On the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident, an annual UFO Festival was started. In the 1930s, Roswell was a site for much of [[Robert H. Goddard]]'s early [[rocket]]ry work. The Roswell Museum and Art Center maintains an exhibit that includes a recreation of Goddard's [[rocket engine]] development workshop, and [[Goddard High School (New Mexico)|Goddard High School]] is named after him.

Roswell's tourism industry is based on [[ufology]] museums and businesses, as well as [[extraterrestrial intelligence|alien]]-themed and [[spacecraft]]-themed iconography. The city also relies on New Mexico and [[Americana (culture)|Americana]] related tourism<ref name="Birnes 2010 p. 184">{{cite book |last=Birnes |first=W.J. |title=Aliens in America: A UFO Hunter's Guide to Extraterrestrial Hotpspots Across the U.S. |publisher=Adams Media |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4405-0872-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LuzsDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT184 |access-date=April 23, 2020 |page=184}}</ref><ref name="Niederman 2018 p. 485">{{cite book |last=Niederman |first=S. |title=Explorer's Guide New Mexico (Third Edition) (Explorer's Complete) |publisher=Countryman Press |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-68268-191-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hDp2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT485 |access-date=April 23, 2020 |page=485}}</ref> including the [[International UFO Museum and Research Center]]. Local [[American folk music|American folk]] and [[New Mexico music]] performances occur near Pioneer Plaza and in parks around the city. It is a center for [[acequia]]-like irrigated farming, dairying, and ranching; it is also the location of several manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum related facilities. Roswell has a history of [[Roswell, New Mexico, minor league baseball history|minor league baseball]]. This regional pride has resulted in Roswell receiving the [[All-America City Award]] multiple times, in 1978–79 and 2002.

==History==
[[image:Historical-museum.jpg|thumb|White family home, built in 1912, now a museum]]
[[File:Roswell New Mexico Flood.jpg|thumb|Roswell flood]]

The first settlers were a group of pioneers from [[Missouri]], who attempted to start a settlement {{convert|15|mi}} southwest of what is now Roswell in 1865, but were forced to abandon the site because of a lack of water. It was called Missouri Plaza. It also had many Hispanic people from [[Lincoln, New Mexico]]. [[John Chisum]] had his famous Jingle Bob Ranch about {{convert|5|mi|0}} from the center of Roswell, at South Spring Acres. At the time, it was the largest ranch in the United States.

Van C. Smith, a businessman from [[Omaha, Nebraska]], and his partner, Aaron Wilburn, constructed two [[adobe]] buildings in 1869 that began what is now Roswell. The two buildings became the settlement's general store, post office, and sleeping quarters for paying guests. In 1871, Smith filed a claim with the federal government for the land around the buildings, and on August 20, 1873, he became the town's first [[postmaster]]. Smith was the son of Roswell Smith, a prominent lawyer in [[Lafayette, Indiana]], and Annie Ellsworth, daughter of U.S. Patent Commissioner [[Henry Leavitt Ellsworth]]. He called the town Roswell, after his father's first name.

In 1877, Captain Joseph Calloway Lea and his family bought out Smith and Wilburn's claim and became the owners of most of the land of Roswell and the area surrounding it. The town was relatively quiet during the [[Lincoln County War]] (1877–1879). A major [[aquifer]] was discovered when merchant Nathan Jaffa had a well drilled in his back yard on Richardson Avenue in 1890, resulting in the area's first major growth and development spurt. The growth continued when the [[Southwestern Railroad (New Mexico)#Carlsbad Division|Pecos Valley Railroad]] arrived in 1892.<ref name="Myrick_1990">Myrick, David, ''New Mexico’s Railroads, A Historic Survey'', University of New Mexico Press 1990. {{ISBN|0-8263-1185-7 }}</ref>

During World War II, a [[prisoner-of-war camp]] was located in nearby [[Orchard Park, New Mexico|Orchard Park]]. The German prisoners of war were used to do major infrastructure work in Roswell, such as paving the banks of the [[North Spring River]]. Some [[Prisoner of war|POWs]] used rocks of different sizes to create the outline of an [[iron cross]] among the stones covering the north bank. Later, the iron cross was covered with a thin layer of concrete. In the 1980s, a crew cleaning the river bed cleared off the concrete and revealed the outline once more. The small park just south of the cross was then known as Iron Cross Park. On November 11, 1996, the park was renamed POW/MIA Park. The park displays a piece of the [[Berlin Wall]], presented to the city of Roswell by the [[German Air Force]].

Roswell was a location of military importance from 1941 to 1967. In 1967, the [[Walker Air Force Base]] was decommissioned. After the closure of the base, Roswell capitalized on its pleasant climate and reinvented itself as a [[retirement community]].

Roswell has benefited from interest in the alleged [[Roswell UFO incident|UFO incident of 1947]]. It was the report of an object that crashed in the general vicinity in June or July 1947, allegedly an [[extraterrestrial spacecraft]] and its [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] occupants. Since the late 1970s, the incident has been the subject of intense controversy and of a [[conspiracy theory]] regarding a classified program named "[[Project Mogul]]". Many [[Unidentified flying object|UFO]] proponents maintain that an alien craft was found and its occupants were captured, and that the military then engaged in a cover-up. In recent times, the business community has deliberately sought out tourists interested in UFOs, science fiction, and aliens.

Roswell hosted the [[Red Bull Stratos|record-breaking skydive]] by [[Felix Baumgartner]] on October 14, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Llorca |first=Juan |title=Felix Baumgartner Completes Record-Setting Jump |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/14/felix-baumgartner-jump-redbull-skydive_n_1965299.html |work=Huffington Post |access-date=October 17, 2012 |date=October 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017045003/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/14/felix-baumgartner-jump-redbull-skydive_n_1965299.html |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==
Roswell is located in the [[High Plains (United States)|High]] [[Great Plains]] of southeastern [[New Mexico]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.ct.044 |title=Encyclopedia of the Great Plains &#124; Roswell, New Mexico |access-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525161837/http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.ct.044 |url-status=live }}</ref> approximately {{cvt|7|mi|0|abbr=on}} west of the [[Pecos River]] and some {{cvt|40|mi|abbr=on}} east of highlands that rise to the [[Sierra Blanca (New Mexico)|Sierra Blanca]] range. U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 70 in New Mexico|70]], [[U.S. Route 285 (New Mexico)|285]] and [[U.S. Route 380 (New Mexico)|380]] intersect in the city. US 70 leads northeast {{cvt|111|mi|abbr=on}} to [[Clovis, New Mexico|Clovis]] and {{cvt|117|mi|abbr=on}} west to [[Alamogordo, New Mexico|Alamogordo]]; US 285 leads north {{cvt|192|mi|abbr=on}} to [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]] and south {{cvt|76|mi|abbr=on}} to [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]]; and US 380 leads east {{cvt|134|mi|abbr=on}} to [[Brownfield, Texas]], and west {{cvt|164|mi|abbr=on}} to [[Socorro, New Mexico|Socorro]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|29.776|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|29.716|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.060|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 0.18%, is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

===Climate===
Roswell is located in both the [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]] and the [[Chihuahuan Desert]] and has four very distinct seasons, giving it a [[cold semi-arid climate]] (''BSk'') according to the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Winters are cool, but usually sunny, and [[snowfall]] can occur. Spring is mild and usually warm, but can still be cold on occasion. Summers are very hot (as is common with the High Plains of [[New Mexico]] and [[Colorado]]) and averages around 30 days per year when the temperature rises above {{convert|100|F|C}}, which can be unpleasant. The North American [[monsoon]] occurs during the summer, and can bring torrential downpours, severe [[thunderstorms]] (with high winds and [[hail]]) and sometimes even [[tornadoes]]. The rain can provide a cooling relief from the scorching great plains heat. Fall is usually warm and pleasant, but can be cold late in the season. Snow is possible generally from late October to March.

The record low in Roswell is {{convert|-24|F|0}} on January 11, 1962, and February 8, 1933.<ref name = "NWS Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)"/> The record high is {{convert|114|F|0}} on June 27, 1994.<ref name = "NWS Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/USNM0267?climoMonth=6 |title=June Daily Averages for Roswell, NM ''Weather.com'' Retrieved June 12, 2012 |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311082128/http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/USNM0267?climoMonth=6 |archive-date=March 11, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|collapsed = Yes
|location = Roswell, New Mexico (Roswell Air Park), 1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1893–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 88
|Feb record high F = 91
|Mar record high F = 95
|Apr record high F = 102
|May record high F = 107
|Jun record high F = 114
|Jul record high F = 112
|Aug record high F = 111
|Sep record high F = 106
|Oct record high F = 99
|Nov record high F = 94
|Dec record high F = 84
|Jan avg record high F = 76.2
|Feb avg record high F = 80.4
|Mar avg record high F = 87.3
|Apr avg record high F = 93.1
|May avg record high F = 100.4
|Jun avg record high F =106.3
|Jul avg record high F =104.0
|Aug avg record high F =102.5
|Sep avg record high F = 98.1
|Oct avg record high F = 93.0
|Nov avg record high F = 82.2
|Dec avg record high F = 75.3
|year avg record high F=108.0
|Jan high F = 57.3
|Feb high F = 63.2
|Mar high F = 71.0
|Apr high F = 79.4
|May high F = 87.8
|Jun high F = 96.2
|Jul high F = 96.5
|Aug high F = 94.6
|Sep high F = 87.6
|Oct high F = 77.7
|Nov high F = 65.7
|Dec high F = 56.5
|year high F= 77.8
|Jan mean F = 42.7
|Feb mean F = 47.8
|Mar mean F = 55.2
|Apr mean F = 63.2
|May mean F = 72.3
|Jun mean F = 81.0
|Jul mean F = 83.2
|Aug mean F = 81.6
|Sep mean F = 74.4
|Oct mean F = 63.2
|Nov mean F = 51.0
|Dec mean F = 42.4
|year mean F =
|Jan low F = 28.1
|Feb low F = 32.5
|Mar low F = 39.4
|Apr low F = 47.0
|May low F = 56.7
|Jun low F = 65.7
|Jul low F = 69.9
|Aug low F = 68.6
|Sep low F = 61.2
|Oct low F = 48.8
|Nov low F = 36.3
|Dec low F = 28.1
|year low F= 48.5
|Jan avg record low F = 14.4
|Feb avg record low F = 17.3
|Mar avg record low F = 23.0
|Apr avg record low F = 31.4
|May avg record low F = 44.0
|Jun avg record low F = 55.9
|Jul avg record low F = 63.2
|Aug avg record low F = 61.3
|Sep avg record low F = 48.8
|Oct avg record low F = 32.4
|Nov avg record low F = 20.0
|Dec avg record low F = 12.0
|year avg record low F= 9.3
|Jan record low F = −24
|Feb record low F = −24
|Mar record low F = −5
|Apr record low F = 17
|May record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 40
|Jul record low F = 52
|Aug record low F = 48
|Sep record low F = 30
|Oct record low F = 14
|Nov record low F = −6
|Dec record low F = −10
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.36
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.35
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.54
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.57
|May precipitation inch = 1.14
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.28
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.82
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.68
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.55
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.33
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.45
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.56
|year precipitation inch=11.63
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.4
|Nov snow inch = 1.2
|Dec snow inch = 3.8
|Jan snow inch = 2.4
|Feb snow inch = 1.1
|Mar snow inch = 0.7
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|year snow inch=9.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.1
|Feb precipitation days = 2.8
|Mar precipitation days = 3.2
|Apr precipitation days = 2.5
|May precipitation days = 3.8
|Jun precipitation days = 4.6
|Jul precipitation days = 6.6
|Aug precipitation days = 7.1
|Sep precipitation days = 6.3
|Oct precipitation days = 5.0
|Nov precipitation days = 2.7
|Dec precipitation days = 3.6
|year precipitation days=
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.3
|Nov snow days = 0.5
|Dec snow days = 1.6
|Jan snow days = 1.5
|Feb snow days = 0.8
|Mar snow days = 0.4
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|year snow days= 
|Jan humidity = 56.8
|Feb humidity = 51.1
|Mar humidity = 39.7
|Apr humidity = 36.5
|May humidity = 39.6
|Jun humidity = 43.2
|Jul humidity = 49.1
|Aug humidity = 54.1
|Sep humidity = 57.6
|Oct humidity = 54.0
|Nov humidity = 52.7
|Dec humidity = 54.5
|year humidity= 49.1
| Jan dew point C = −5.6
| Feb dew point C = −4.5
| Mar dew point C = −3.9
| Apr dew point C = −1.2
| May dew point C = 3.9
| Jun dew point C = 9.8
| Jul dew point C = 13.8
| Aug dew point C = 14.3
| Sep dew point C = 11.4
| Oct dew point C = 4.9
| Nov dew point C = −1.9
| Dec dew point C = −5.8
|Jan sun = 217.1
|Feb sun = 223.0
|Mar sun = 280.8
|Apr sun = 307.6
|May sun = 342.9
|Jun sun = 344.7
|Jul sun = 327.9
|Aug sun = 300.9
|Sep sun = 262.7
|Oct sun = 269.6
|Nov sun = 214.5
|Dec sun = 210.3
|year sun=3302.0
|Jan percentsun = 68
|Feb percentsun = 72
|Mar percentsun = 76
|Apr percentsun = 79
|May percentsun = 80
|Jun percentsun = 80
|Jul percentsun = 75
|Aug percentsun = 73
|Sep percentsun = 71
|Oct percentsun = 77
|Nov percentsun = 68
|Dec percentsun = 68
|year percentsun= 74
|source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1973–1990, sun 1962–1982)<ref name = "NWS Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)">{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=abq |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=August 29, 2020 |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430063248/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=abq |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=NOAAtxt>{{Cite FTP |url=ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/1991-2020/products/station/USW00023009.normals.txt |server=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |url-status=dead |title=Station Name: NM ROSWELL IND AIR PK |access-date=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name=NOAAsun>{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72268.TXT |title=WMO Climate Normals for Roswell/Industrial Air Park, NM 1961–1990 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015073105/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72268.TXT |archive-date=2020-10-15 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref>
|source 2 = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 2049
|1910= 6172
|1920= 7033
|1930= 11173
|1940= 13482
|1950= 25738
|1960= 39593
|1970= 33908
|1980= 39676
|1990= 44654
|2000= 45293
|2010= 48366
|2020= 48422
|estyear=2023
|estimate=47109
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=July 5, 2024 |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 4, 2015 |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717060613/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Roswell, New Mexico – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small><ref>{{Cite web |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Roswell city, New Mexico |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Roswell%20city,%20New%20Mexico&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 5, 2024}}</ref>
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|16,996
|35.1%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|826
|1.7%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|327
|0.7%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|552
|1.1%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|21
|0.0%
|-
|[[Some Other Race]] (NH)
|191
|0.4%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|1,028
|2.1%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|28,481
|58.8%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''48,422'''
|'''100.0%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 48,422 people, 17,929 households, and 11,844 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Roswell%20city,%20New%20Mexico%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|1629.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 20,220 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 54.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.2% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 1.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 20.9% from some other races and 19.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 58.8% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How many people live in Roswell city, New Mexico |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/roswell-city-new-mexico/160-3564930/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |publisher=USA Today |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615054833/https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/roswell-city-new-mexico/160-3564930/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 26.0% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.6% were under 5 years of age, and 15.2% were 65 and older.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,298, and per capita income was $25,906 (2018–2022 in 2022 dollars). In 2022, 23.2% of the population were living below the poverty line.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 48,366 people, 17,654 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1619.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 19,743 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 69.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.5% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 1.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 22.1% from some other races and 3.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 53.4% of the population. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18, _% were under 5 years of age, and 15.6% were 65 and older.

==Economy==
[[Leprino Foods]], one of the world's largest [[mozzarella]] factories, is located here.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3301/is_6_102/ai_76704013 |title=Lots a Mozzarella in Roswell – Leprino Foods |work=BNET.com |year=2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929231649/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3301/is_6_102/ai_76704013 |archive-date=September 29, 2008}}</ref>

[[Transportation Manufacturing Corporation|TMC]], [[Nova Bus]], and then [[Millennium Transit Services]], manufactured the [[Rapid Transit Series|RTS]] city bus in Roswell until 2012.<ref>{{cite|title=History of the RTS |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321142045/http://www.millenniumtransit.com/history.html |website=Millennium Transit Services|date=October 2011}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[Image:International UFO Museum and Research Center Roswell New Mexico.jpg|thumb|[[International UFO Museum]]]]

Roswell's tourism industry is based on [[aerospace engineering]] and [[ufology]] museums and businesses, as well as [[extraterrestrial intelligence|alien]]-themed and [[spacecraft]]-themed iconography.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Siegler |first1=Kirk |last2=Baker |first2=Liz |date=June 5, 2021 |title=The Truth Is (Still) Out There In 'UFO Capital' Roswell, New Mexico |language=en |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/05/1003267794/the-truth-is-still-out-there-in-ufo-capital-roswell-new-mexico |access-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508034843/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/05/1003267794/the-truth-is-still-out-there-in-ufo-capital-roswell-new-mexico |url-status=live }}</ref> A yearly UFO festival has been held since 1995.<ref>{{cite news |title=5 Quirky Festivals to Visit in 2023 |url=https://www.aarp.org/travel/vacation-ideas/family/info-2023/quirky-festivals.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |work=AARP |language=english |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309164250/https://www.aarp.org/travel/vacation-ideas/family/info-2023/quirky-festivals.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Roswell Museum maintains an exhibit that includes a recreation of Goddard's [[rocket engine]] development workshop, as well as a planetarium and a collection of fine art.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2021 |title=New name announced for Roswell museum |url=https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/new-name-announced-for-roswell-museum/ |access-date=May 8, 2022 |website=KRQE NEWS 13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=November 17, 2021 |title=RMAC launches new brand, changes name |url=https://www.rdrnews.com/news/local/rmac-launches-new-brand-changes-name/article_65c4ca10-fb05-5596-881d-cb0ab8bf102f.html |access-date=May 8, 2022 |website=Roswell Daily Record |language=en |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508034843/https://www.rdrnews.com/news/local/rmac-launches-new-brand-changes-name/article_65c4ca10-fb05-5596-881d-cb0ab8bf102f.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Roswell Artist-in-Residence Compound|Roswell Artist-in-Residence]] program has an associated museum, the [[Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art]] which features more than 200 artists in the collection.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Horak |first=Steven |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uWCnDwAAQBAJ |title=Moon New Mexico |date=April 21, 2020 |publisher=Avalon Publishing |isbn=978-1-64049-762-7 |page=489 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Byers |first=Jim |date=October 14, 2018 |title=New Mexico: A Natural Playground |url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/512866842/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 8, 2022 |website=Newspapers.com |publisher=The Province |page=B14-B15 |language=en |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508010724/http://www.newspapers.com/image/512866842/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:Wool Bowl stadium in Roswell, New Mexico.jpg|thumb|Wool Bowl stadium opened in 1968 and hosts high school games]]
The [[Roswell Invaders]] play in the [[Pecos League]] of professional baseball clubs. The Invaders wear lime-green uniforms to represent the city's extraterrestrial connections. Home games are played at the [[Joe Bauman Ballpark]].

Previously, Roswell was home to the Roswell Giants (1923), Roswell Sunshiners (1937), [[Roswell Rockets]] (1949–1956), and [[Roswell Pirates]] (1959), who played in the [[West Texas League|Panhandle-Pecos Valley League]] (1923), [[West Texas-New Mexico League]] (1937), [[Longhorn League]] (1949–1955), [[Southwestern League]] (1956), and [[Sophomore League]] (1959).{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

[[Joe Bauman]] hit a minor-league record 72 home runs for the 1954 Roswell Rockets, and [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] inductee [[Willie Stargell]] played for the 1959 Roswell Pirates. Roswell was an affiliate of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |title=Register Team Encyclopedia |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403204323/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/t-rr14189/y-1954 |title=1954 Roswell Rockets Statistics on StatsCrew.com |website=www.statscrew.com |access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408030803/https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/t-rr14189/y-1954 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/roswell-s-joe-bauman-set-home-run-record-in-1954-307626052 |title=Roswell's Joe Bauman set home run record in 1954 |website=MiLB.com |access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408030754/https://www.milb.com/news/roswell-s-joe-bauman-set-home-run-record-in-1954-307626052 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Roswell will host the 2025 [[Reno Air Races]].<ref name="RARA">{{cite web |title=National Championship Air Races take off for Roswell, NM in 2025 |url=https://airrace.org/national-championship-air-races-take-off-for-roswell-nm-in-2025/ |website=[[National Championship Air Races]] |publisher=Reno Air Racing Association |access-date=May 26, 2025 |date=May 23, 2024}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:New Mexico Military Institute campus in Roswell, NM.jpg|thumb|The state-operated [[New Mexico Military Institute]] campus in Roswell]]

===Public schools===
* [[Roswell Independent School District]]
** [[Goddard High School (New Mexico)|Goddard High School]]
** [[Roswell High School (New Mexico)|Roswell High School]]
* Mountain View Middle School
* Mesa Middle School
* Sierra Middle School
* Berrendo Middle School

===Private schools===
* All Saints Catholic School, a pre-K through eighth-grade Catholic school
* [[Gateway Christian School]], a pre-K through high school parochial school
* Immanuel Lutheran School, a Junior Kindergarten through 9th grade classical school
* Saint Andrews Catholic School, a K-6 Catholic School

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Eastern New Mexico University]]-Roswell<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/ |title=Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell |publisher=Eastern New Mexico University |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308031545/http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/ |archive-date=March 8, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> is a branch of Eastern New Mexico University (headquartered in [[Portales, New Mexico|Portales]]). The Roswell campus offers several certificate and associate programs. Also, bachelor's and master's programs are available via ENMU's Instructional Television System.
* [[New Mexico Military Institute]] offers four-year high school and two-year associate college-degree programs.

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
====Airport====
* [[Roswell International Air Center]] is served by [[American Eagle (airline brand)|American Eagle]].

====Bus====
* Pecos Trails Transit
* [[Greyhound Lines]]

====Major highways====
* [[U.S. Route 70 in New Mexico|U.S. Route 70]]
* [[U.S. Route 285 in New Mexico|U.S. Route 285]]
* [[U.S. Route 380#New Mexico|U.S. Route 380]]

====Railroads====
* [[BNSF Railway]] freight services

==Notable people==
{{main category|People from Roswell, New Mexico}}
* [[Robert O. Anderson]], businessman and philanthropist
* [[Bobby Baldock]], U.S. federal appellate judge ([[Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals]])
* [[Tom Brookshier]], professional football player and sportscaster
* [[John Chisum]], pioneer, landowner, rancher
* [[Louise Holland Coe]], first woman elected to the [[New Mexico Senate]], first woman to run for [[U.S. Congress]], 1894–1985
* [[Max Coll]], 15-term New Mexico House Representative (1966–1970, 1980–2004), grandson of James F. Hinkle
* [[Ray Crawford (racing driver)|Ray Crawford]], combat pilot and auto racer
* [[John Denver]], singer and actor
* [[Pat Garrett]], sheriff, killer of [[Billy the Kid]]
* [[Robert H. Goddard]], rocket pioneer
* [[Susan Graham]], opera singer
* [[J.J. Hagerman]], businessman and railroad developer
* [[James F. Hinkle]], Mayor of Roswell (1904–06), New Mexico State Senator (1912–1916), Governor of New Mexico (1923–25)
* [[Nancy Lopez]], LPGA Hall of Fame golfer
* [[Jody McCrea]], actor
* [[Demi Moore]], actress
* [[Gerina Piller]], professional golfer
* [[Priscilla Presley]], actress and businesswoman
* [[Clinton A. Puckett]], 6th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Navy Cross recipient
* [[James P. Riseley]], Lieutenant General, USMC
* [[Austin St. John]], first Red Power Ranger

==See also==
* [[Llano Estacado]]
* [[Roswell (TV series)|''Roswell'' (TV series)]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
*''City Map, Roswell, New Mexico''. Roswell: Roswell Printing, 1976.

==External links==
* [https://www.roswell-nm.gov/1248/City-of-Roswell City of Roswell – Official Website]

{{Sister bar|auto=y|Roswell (New Mexico)}}
{{Chaves County, New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Roswell, New Mexico| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1869]]
[[Category:Cities in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Roswell incident]]
[[Category:Cities in Chaves County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:County seats in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of New Mexico]]
[[Category:1869 establishments in New Mexico Territory]]
[[Category:UFO culture in the United States]]