Artesia is a city in Eddy County, New Mexico, United States, centered at the intersection of U.S. Route 82 and U.S. Route 285; the two highways serve as the city's Main Street and First Street, respectively. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,301.HistoryThe town assumed its present name in 1903, after the discovery of an artesian aquifer in the area; artesian wells for agriculture flourished in the area until the aquifer became significantly depleted in the 1920s. The city was officially incorporated in 1905.Artesia was a candidate for ESPN's Titletown USA feature.GeographyArtesia is located in northern Eddy County at, at an elevation of. US 82 leads east to Lovington and west to Alamogordo, while US 285 leads north to Roswell and south to Carlsbad, the Eddy County seat.According to the United States Census Bureau, Artesia has a total area of 25.7sqkm, of which 0.05sqkm, or 0.21%, is covered by water.The Pecos River is about 4mi east of Artesia.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, 10,692 people, 4,080 households, and 2,896 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,341.3 people per square mile (518.0/km2). The 4,593 housing units averaged 576.2 per square mile (222.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.25% White, 1.54% Native American, 1.44% African American, 0.20% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 21.56% from other races, and 2.86% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 44.98% of the population.
