Residential Information

Residential Information

A "Complete" Community

ENMU The community of Portales is a great place to live and work and provides a “complete” quality of life environment for individuals of all ages. As a charming University town, it is a gateway to industry, education, culture and recreation. It is located on the eastern plains of New Mexico, surrounded by many acres of productive agricultural land and natural resources. Agriculture is an important component of Portales’ economic base and an important aspect of the City and County’s culture and history. Dairy production is also a significant component of the agricultural industry and has the potential to become even more so in the future, evidenced by the recently constructed $200 million Southwest Cheese Plant operating midway between Portales and Clovis.

Portales City Library Portales is the county seat of Roosevelt County where a historic Courthouse Building sits in the middle of our town square. Approximately 62% of Roosevelt County’s population lives within the municipal boundary. The City owes its start to a man known as "Uncle" Josh Morrison. Just about a year before the railroad reached Portales, Uncle Josh set up a little store in a one-room frame building at Portales Springs. When the town began, Morrison moved to town, too, along with the building, and so began the first store in Portales. The town began growing up around the one-story structure and adopted the name Portales from the nearest landmark, Portales Springs, was given to the early site because caves resembled the "porches" of Spanish adobe house, and "porches" in Spanish is "Portales."

There are many cultural and educational activities throughout the year making Portales a desirable place to live and work. The ENMU College of Fine Arts provides musical and dramatic programs and is home to a local symphony orchestra. Other community events in Portales include the Annual Heritage Days Rodeo and Celebration, the New Mexico Agricultural Expo, the Peanut Valley Festival and the New Mexico 4-H Rodeo Finals. Portales is also home to the Blackwater Draw Museum and the Roosevelt County Museum.

Horses in Field Portales has a young population and growing “working age” population. The median age in Portales is 27 years old of which ENMU has a direct impact. The segment of the population that is growing most falls between the rages of 35 to 59 and is considered the main “working age” population. Portales is a growing community and expects to sustain growth for the foreseeable future resulting from its strength and growth in agricultural industries as well as the increased enrollment at ENMU.

ENMU The City, responsible of many municipal services and is committed to providing an excellent quality of life rich in education, recreational and cultural opportunities while providing ample health care, affordable housing and economic growth. As a leader in the community, the City is aggressively working toward accomplishing the many goals and objectives in our Comprehensive Plan while growing our community in a way that is supported by the Vision of the community.