Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell: A city in Chaves County, New Mexico.
About
Roswell is a city located in the county of Chaves in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its population at the 2010 census was 48,366 and a population density of 624 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 47,596 inhabitants.
The city was created 157 years ago in 1868.
Roswell sits in the southeastern quarter of New Mexico. The town was established in 1877 following construction of the Santa Fe Railroad through the valley. Early settlers were drawn by potential for ranching and commerce.
Roswell later gained fame in 1947 when a mysterious object crashed nearby in what became known as the Roswell UFO Incident. Though often dismissed, this event put Roswell on the map.
Major Areas and Attractions
Some key areas and sites around Roswell include:
- Downtown Roswell - The historic heart of the city featuring classic brick architecture, shops, and restaurants.
- International UFO Museum - Major museum dedicated to the 1947 incident and ufology.
- Roswell Museum and Art Center - Showcases exhibits on regional history, art galleries, and a planetarium.
- Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Wetland area with hiking trails and abundant bird watching.
Things to Do in Roswell
Top activities and attractions to enjoy:
- Learning all about the alleged UFO crash at the International UFO Museum and Research Center.
- Exploring downtown's shops, cafes, and historic Chaves County Courthouse.
- Discovering the sciences at the Roswell Museum and Art Center's Planetarium.
- Spotting birds and wildlife at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
- Attending the annual Roswell UFO Festival celebrating the city's extraterrestrial connections.
Roswell offers a unique blend of Old West history, modern amenities, and its infamous association with potential alien activity. There's something for everyone, especially sci-fi lovers!
Quick Facts about Roswell
| Population | 47,596 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | New Mexico (United States) |
| County | Chaves County |
| Twitter username | RoswellNM_Govt |
| Postal code | 88201–88203 |
| Phone Area Codes | 575 |
| Area | 77.48 km2 |
| Latitude & Longitude | 33.3944,-104.5249 |
| Altitude | 3,573 feet / 1089 meters |
| Capital city | Roswell is capital of Chaves County |
| Establishment | January 01, 1869 (157 years ago) |
| Time Zone | Mountain Time Zone |
| Local time | 14:06:09 (15th April 2026) |
| Density | 614 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | -1.62% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 47℉ Partly Cloudy 7-days weather |
Geography
Roswell is located at 33°23'40"N 104°31'30"W (33.3943700, -104.5249100).
Roswell map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
Weather
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
7-Day ForecastDemographics
According to census records, the population of Roswell decreased by 1.62% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 48,366 | - | census |
| 2011 | 48,442 | 0.16% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 48,426 | -0.03% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 48,594 | 0.35% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 48,438 | -0.32% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 48,443 | 0.01% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 48,283 | -0.33% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 47,938 | -0.72% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 47,532 | -0.85% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 47,551 | 0.04% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 47,596 | 0.09% | estimation process |
Services and Civic Places in Roswell
1UFO Festival
426 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201 View details
Phone: +15756246700 | Website available
2Roswell City Hall
425 N Richardson Ave, Roswell, NM 88201 View details
Phone: +15756376200 | Website available
3Roswell City Office
500 S Richardson Ave, Roswell, NM 88203 View details
Phone: +15756230504 | Website available
4USDA Rural Development
1011 S Atkinson Ave, Roswell, NM 88203, United States View details
Phone: +15756228746 | Website available
People born in Roswell (48)
People born in Roswell, including singer, songwriter, activist, and humanitarian John Denver, racecar driver Ray Crawford, spiritualist J. Z. Knight, .
More notable people
- George Young (American former track and field athlete and college coach) he was born in 24/07/1937
- Bill Smith (American poker player) he was born in 14/03/1934
- Joe Skeen (American politician (1927-2003)) he was born in 30/06/1927
- Austin St. John (American actor) he was born in 17/09/1974
- Susan Graham (singer) she was born in 23/07/1960
- Tom Brookshier (American football player and coach (1931-2010)) he was born in 16/12/1931
- Liz Parker (fictional character and the protagonist of the Roswell High book series and Roswell T.V. series) she was born in 01/01/1983
- Daniel R. Foley (American politician)
- David Gilman (American luger and canoeist) he was born in 06/12/1954
- DonTrell Moore (American football player) he was born in 25/09/1982
- Doris Hill (actress (1905-1976)) she was born in 21/03/1905
- Juan Guerrero Burciaga (United States federal judge) he was born in 17/08/1929
- Kim Douglas Wiggins (artist) he was born in 08/04/1959
- Kyle Valenti (Fictional character of the Roswell franchise) he was born in 01/01/1984
- Lefty Scott (American baseball player) he was born in 15/07/1915
- Maria DeLuca (Fictional character of the Roswell franchise) she was born in 01/01/1983
- Michael Levitt (television producer) he was born in 13/03/1968
- Peter Guttman (American photographer)
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to Roswell, NM. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 187912 | New Mexico Military Institute | Roswell (NM) | 88201-5173 |
Closest post offices linked to Roswell.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Roswell 2 Post Office | Roswell (NM) | 88201 |
Other places with the same name (3)
- Roswell, Georgia A city in Fulton County, Georgia. with a population of 95,434 people.
- Roswell, Ohio city in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States of America with a population of 212 people.
- Roswell, South Dakota town in South Dakota, United States of America with a population of 69 people.
Other cities in Chaves County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Chaves County , NM.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Dexter | 1,244 | Town in Chaves County, New Mexico, United States |
| Hagerman | 1,226 | City in Gooding County, Idaho, United States |
| Lake Arthur | 422 | Human settlement in Chaves County, New Mexico, United States of America |
Distance to Other Cities
Roswell distances to largest New Mexico cities