United States › Colorado › Otero County COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS
Otero County Colorado · 20,311 residents · 1,262 sq mi
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The short version
With 20,311 people, Otero County is a county in Colorado. Households here earn about 37% less than in Colorado as a whole. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Home values have risen by half since 1990, reaching $67,700. Renters pay $372 a month at the median. The poverty rate is 18.8%, above the 12.4% national rate.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 37.7
US median: 35.2
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 35.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K 19K 19K 20K 21K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Otero County Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $29,738
+24%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $18,178 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $9,573 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 23.9% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$67,700
+36%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $37,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$372
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $288 in 1990
US average: $602
from 66.9% in 1990
30.9% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 82.7%(16,699)
Hispanic / Latino 35.2%(7,102)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 59.2%(12,014)
Hispanic / Latino 37.6%(7,642)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 18 more ancestry groups with data from 13.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 69.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 4.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 17.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 24.4%(1,867)
Women 15+
Never married 19.8%(1,629)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 19.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 41.2% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 11.9% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 22.3% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 34.3% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 3.0% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 53.0% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 51.3% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 32.5%(301)
Gulf War (1990s) 27.2%(252)
Share of the 926 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
Places similar to Otero County Head to head
Compare Otero County to nearby counties OTERO COUNTY VS
Crowley County
Income $48,826 +64%
Home value $116,200 +72%
Population 5,677 −68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Bent County
Income $50,179 +69%
Home value $146,900 +117%
Population 5,716 −68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Las Animas County
Income $52,074 +75%
Home value $237,600 +251%
Population 14,391 −19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Pueblo County
Income $64,010 +115%
Home value $291,300 +330%
Population 169,277 +857%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Otero County, Colorado? Otero County, Colorado has about 20,311 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Otero County, Colorado? The typical household in Otero County, Colorado earns about $29,738 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Otero County, Colorado expensive? In Otero County, Colorado, the median home is worth about $67,700, and the typical rent is about $372 a month.
How educated are people in Otero County, Colorado? About 15.4% of adults age 25 and over in Otero County, Colorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Otero County, Colorado? About 18.8% of people in Otero County, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.
Has Otero County, Colorado grown since 1990? Yes, Otero County, Colorado has grown since 1990. The population has added about 126 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.
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