Named for the artesian wells discovered here in the early 1900s, Artesia is a rural Eddy County city shaped by water, oil and art. Home to about 13,000 residents, Artesia is surrounded by the open landscape of the Chihuahuan Desert. “People move here for the warm climate, small-town feel and affordability,” says Stephanie Bertram, New Mexico resident and Associate Broker with eXp Realty. “It’s less than 100 miles from the Texas border, and a lot of residents move here from Texas for work.”
Artesia became an “oil patch town” in 1924, a reputation it still holds today as a city driven by the oil and gas industry; HollyFrontier’s Navajo Refinery is the city’s largest employer. Artesia’s Downtown Main Street has been designated a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District, its early 1900s storefronts painted with murals that tell the city's stories.
Named for the artesian wells discovered here in the early 1900s, Artesia is a rural Eddy County city shaped by water, oil and art.
Artesia became an “oil patch town” in 1924, a reputation it still holds today as a city driven by the oil and gas industry.
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Custom-built homes on the outskirts of town
Artesia's median home price is $266,000, compared to Carlsbad's $315,000 and Roswell's $208,000. Early- and mid-20th-century ranch-style homes are the most common here, set side-by-side on grid-style streets. Newer, custom-built estates are found just outside city limits near the Artesia Municipal Airport, set on large plots of land for keeping livestock. The older ranch-style homes typically cost between $200,000 and $300,000; larger custom-built homes range between $400,000 and about $600,000.
Early- and mid-20th-century ranch-style homes are the most common in Artesia, set side-by-side on grid-style streets.
Newer, custom-built estates are found just outside Artesia's city limits near the Artesia Municipal Airport.
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The city roots for Artesia High’s championship team
The Artesia Public School District is rated an overall B-plus by Niche. Its only high school is the B-rated Artesia High, where students who maintain a 3.0 GPA can earn college scholarships from the Chase Foundation to colleges and universities in New Mexico and West Texas. Artesia High football games are a city-wide event at the school’s football stadium, The Bulldog Bowl; the team has won the New Mexico State Championship 30 times since 1957.
New Mexico State University operates an Agricultural Science Center in the Artesian Conservancy District, 7 miles south of the city. The Science Center works to improve the overall agriculture and environment for all of southeastern New Mexico.
Artesia's only high school is the B-rated Artesia High, where students who maintain a 3.0 GPA can earn college scholarships from the Chase Foundation to colleges and universities in New Mexico and West Texas.
Artesia High football games are a city-wide event at the school’s football stadium, The Bulldog Bowl; the team has won the New Mexico State Championship 30 times since 1957.
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Art, parks and cooling off at the Aquatic Center
Jaycee Park is the largest of the city's nine parks, featuring playing fields, picnic areas and walking tracks, and hosting Artesia's annual 4th of July celebration. Locals can escape the desert heat at the Artesia Aquatic Center, which offers four pools, waterslides and a lazy river.
The Artesia Historical Museum preserves local history, while the Artesia Arts Council organizes workshops and events like Art in the Park, an annual art festival held in Jaycee. Main Street Artesia showcases public murals along its Heritage Walkway, and sculptures honoring the city’s ranching heritage are found throughout the city.
Jaycee Park is the largest of Artesia's nine parks, featuring playing fields, picnic areas and walking tracks.
Artesia locals can escape the desert heat at the Artesia Aquatic Center, which offers four pools, waterslides and a lazy river.
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Independent businesses surrounding Downtown Main Street
West of U.S. Route 285, Artesia’s food and shopping scene centers around Main Street (U.S. Route 82) in Downtown, where locally owned restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques fill historic storefronts. Mexican fast-casual spots are common, but Adobe Rose Restaurant stands out for upscale Southwestern dishes served in a historic adobe building on the edge of town. Instead of big shopping centers, the area is dotted with second-hand stores and practical chain grocers like Walmart and Dollar General. Main Street is also where the city holds the Red Dirt Black Gold Festival, which celebrates the people and industries of Southeast New Mexico.
Artesia’s food and shopping scene centers around Main Street in Downtown, where locally owned restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques fill historic storefronts.
Adobe Rose Restaurant stands out for upscale Southwestern dishes served in a historic adobe building on the edge of Artesia.
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Between Carlsbad and Roswell
Artesia is set at the intersection of US-285 and 82; the 285 leads 40 miles north to Roswell, and about 36 miles south to Carlsbad. There's no public transportation, so residents rely on their cars to get around. Artesia General Hospital is right in the city, and the nearest commercial airport, Roswell International Air Center (ROW), is 38 miles away.
Mitigating local pollution
According to the FBI's most recent data, the Artesia Police Department reports lower rates of violent and property crime than state and national figures. The police department’s Patrol Division is especially active, conducting preliminary investigations and identifying the community’s concerns.
Artesia has long struggled with pollution problems due to the local Navajo Refinery. This crude oil processing facility releases chemicals like benzene into the air and contributes to water contamination from industrial waste and toxic materials. In early 2025, the company agreed to a major settlement to reduce emissions and improve environmental safety by upgrading their equipment and implementing stricter pollution controls.
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Excellent investment opportunity** 4-Unit multifamily property featuring one 1-bedroom, two 2-bedroom and one 3-bedroom units. Large front porch. Split Units Added to B & C in 2024. New Roof in 2024. This property offers a strong combination of current income and long term value. Don't miss your chance to acquire a value-add asset in a steady rental market. Call Karen S Miller for Your viewing
Excellent investment opportunity** 4-Unit multifamily property featuring one 1-bedroom, two 2-bedroom and one 3-bedroom units. Large front porch. Split units added to all units in 2024. New roof in 2024. This property offers a strong combination of current income and long term value. Don't miss your chance to acquire a value-add asset in a steady rental market. Call Karen S Miller 575-703-6121
AWESOME! TOTALLY REMODELED INSIDE AND OUT IN MINT CONDITION 3 Bedroom Split Floor Plan 2 baths 1742sq ft home. Large covered front porch Welcomes you Home. Upgrades include fresh paint, new luxury vinal plank flooring thru out, new stainless steel appliances, granite counter in kitchen and baths , marble back splash, new mini splits, extra insulation, new light fixtures. The Large backyard and
20 acres of land located in Artesia New Mexico, Offering endless potential for Your Dream Home . Conveniently located with easy access to town while providing space and privacy. Call Karen S Miller 575-703-6121
Excellent investment opportunity** 4-Unit multifamily property featuring one 1-bedroom, two 2-bedroom and one 3-bedroom units. Large front porch. Split Units added to all units in 2024. New Roof in 2024. This property offers a strong combination of current income and long term value. Don't miss your chance to acquire a value-add asses in a steady rental market. Call Karen S Miller 575-703-6121
Mountain Top Ranch is located in Pinon, NM between the Lincoln National Forest and the Guadalupe National Forest. This ranch has 5,134+/- acres of deeded land located in southwestern corner of Chaves County. The natural wildlife on this ranch boasts of Elk, Mule Deer & Barbary Sheep, located in Unit 30. The ranch is well improved complete with an excellent water system with 8 miles of pipeline
Desert Willow Estates is a community designed to inspire authentic New Mexico living, creating space for the home of your dreams. Our goal is to provide home sites that flexibly meet the needs of our clients while maintaining the natural beauty of the desert. We determined the value of our home sites by evaluating comparator home sites, custom home site availability, lot size, utility
Welcome to The Palma - a modern 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom modular home in Artesia's newest community, Armory Heights. At 1,328 sq. ft., this thoughtfully designed home delivers quality and style throughout. The open layout features luxury vinyl plank flooring, vaulted ceilings, and a spacious kitchen with soft-close shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless appliances, and a center island. The
Are you looking for a nice parcel to build your dream home. This is it. Located south of Artesia in a nice area that once was farmland a family has divided up a parcel. This is a part of a property that has been divided into three parcels, this one being the middle parcel. Enough room to build a nice home and shop and or barn and room to roam. These parcels have a deed restriction to site built
Are you looking for land to build your shop or start your own company? This property consists of a total of 10 lots, with the first 3 designated for commercial use and the remaining 7 for residential use, which are platted for manufactured homes, offering the potential to create your own mobile home park. The city has just completed new sidewalks and driveways, water lines, and street Feel free
Desert Willow Estates is a community designed to inspire authentic New Mexico living, creating space for the home of your dreams. Our goal is to provide home sites that flexibly meet the needs of our clients while maintaining the natural beauty of the desert. We determined the value of our home sites by evaluating comparator home sites, custom home site availability, lot size, utility
Welcome to The Palma - a modern 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom modular home in Artesia's newest community, Armory Heights. At 1,328 sq. ft., this thoughtfully designed home delivers quality and style throughout. The open layout features luxury vinyl plank flooring, vaulted ceilings, and a spacious kitchen with soft-close shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless appliances, and a center island. The
EMLI at the Wells of Artesia represents a premier multifamily residential community situated at 1902 West Richey Avenue, Artesia, New Mexico 88210. This modern apartment complex is designed as the newest luxury-style development in the Artesia area, combining high-quality construction with thoughtful amenities to provide residents with an exceptional living environment.The
Your choice for Luxury Apartments in Artesia, NM. Canyonstone is a community made up of affordable and resort-style Apartments in Artesia, NM. Conveniently located on Richey Ave with easy access to great schools, shopping, and medical facilities. Please check our website! Canyonstone apartments boasts beautiful landscaping with many walking paths and a dog park. The spacious barbecue
Roselawn Manor is a 63 unit, two-story affordable apartment community in Artesia, New Mexico. When you arrive, you'll walk through our rose garden to the front porch and into the lobby. We accept HUD as we are an income restricted community.
Centrally located 3 bedrooms, 1 bath house with utility room for washer & dryer hookup and large backyard. 1 year minimum lease required. $1,500 per month rental rate, $1,400 security deposit. All must apply and be approved to lease. $20.00 per applicant/adult to apply. Get applications from listing office. Tenant responsible for all utility costs.
Fully Furnished Very Large 3 bedroom home with Office/living room, Dining room, Huge Family room with 75 inch TV, 2 full baths, huge privacy fenced backyard, covered patio, sprinkler system and four car garage with room for man cave. Includes bedding, linens, dishes and cookware. Per Diem rates with no credit card fees. Pet friendly. Call Selena Carson at . Please go to our website at to view
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