CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Otero County

Colorado · 18,690 residents · 1,261.946 sq mi
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The short version

Otero County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,075. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $101,000. The poverty rate of 22.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the Colorado median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,690
−8%since 2000
from 20,311 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
15 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 16 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.1
+9%since 2000
from 37.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K19K19K20K21K1990201020202024Otero County
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,075
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,738 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,275
+54%since 2000
from $15,113 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.3%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade9%
US avg: 10%
Information8.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction6.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing1.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$101,000
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$687
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $372 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.2%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
35.8% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+3%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Otero County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic59.2%(12,014)
Black0.5%(111)
Hispanic / Latino37.6%(7,642)
Asian0.7%(134)
Other0%
Diversity Score61%(12,390)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic53.6%(10,013)
Black0.7%(134)
Hispanic / Latino41.2%(7,702)
Asian0.5%(98)
Other3.6%(682)
Diversity Score67.3%(12,586)
Segregation Score22.5%(4,208)
Diversity Score
67
+10%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
23
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.1%
+13.4 ptssince 2000
from 75.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+59%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 74.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 12.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.1%
−5.0 ptssince 2011
from 57.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.8%
−30.7 ptssince 2009
from 64.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.6%
−71.7 ptssince 2013
from 80.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Otero County

Cook County
Pop 18,232
Franklin County
Pop 17,725
Alamosa County
Pop 16,688
Berrien County
Pop 18,932
Places similar to Otero County
Head to head

Compare Otero County to nearby counties

OTERO COUNTY VS
Crowley County
Income$48,826+13%
Home value$116,200+15%
Population5,677−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Bent County
Income$50,179+16%
Home value$146,900+45%
Population5,716−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Las Animas County
Income$52,074+21%
Home value$237,600+135%
Population14,391−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Pueblo County
Income$64,010+49%
Home value$291,300+188%
Population169,277+857%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Otero County, Colorado?

Otero County, Colorado has about 18,690 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Otero County, Colorado?

The typical household in Otero County, Colorado earns about $43,075 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 $101,000, and the typical rent is about $687 a month.

How educated are people in Otero County, Colorado?

About 20.5% 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 22.2% of people in Otero County, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.

Has Otero County, Colorado grown since 1990?

Yes, Otero County, Colorado has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,495 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

7 census tracts
Census Tract 9686Census Tract 9683Census Tract 9681Census Tract 9682Census Tract 9685Census Tract 9680Census Tract 9684
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 81050ZIP 81067ZIP 81058ZIP 81077ZIP 81030
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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