Artesia is located in Eddy County , and in the Southeast New Mexico region. Artesia is on the crossing of hwy 285 and hwy 82. Just head north from Carlsbad between Alamogordo and Hobbs along Highway 82 on the banks of the Pecos River near Lake McMillan. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 10,973, an increase of 363 since 1990.