Chaves County

Chaves County was named for Colonel Jose Francisco Chaves, a military leader and rancher here during the U.S. Civil War and later in Navajo campaigns.

The County was created by Territorial Legislature on February 25, 1889 out of land from Lincoln County. The County Seat is Roswell, the city in the county. The County has a total area of 6,075 square miles and is the fourth-largest county in New Mexico by area. The population is approximately 65,282. Chaves County is a republican stronghold meaning no democratic candidate has won office in Chaves County since Lyndon Johnson’s victory in 1964.