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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Lea County

New Mexico · 55,511 residents · 4,391.552 sq mi
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The short version

Lea County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $29,799. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $47,300. The poverty rate of 21.1% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 33.1
US median: 35.2
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 9%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

55,511
Unchangedsince 1990
from 55,765 in 1990
1990 – 2025
13 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 1990
from 13 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
33.1
+9%since 1990
from 30.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
54K59K65K71K76K1990201020202024Lea County
202474K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$29,799
−3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $23,352 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$14,184
+41%since 1990
from $10,025 in 1990
US average: $21,522
21.1%
−1.3 ptssince 1990
from 22.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$47,300
−9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $39,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$388
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $312 in 1990
US average: $602
72.6%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 71.5% in 1990
27.4% rent
1.6
−6%since 1990
from 1.7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lea County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic82.3%(45,922)
Black4.3%(2,425)
Hispanic / Latino29.4%(16,419)
Asian0.5%(298)
Diversity Score66.6%(37,130)
2000
White, non-Hispanic54%(29,977)
Black4.2%(2,340)
Hispanic / Latino39.6%(22,010)
Asian0.4%(198)
Diversity Score66.6%(36,980)
67
Unchangedsince 1990
from 67 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

11.6%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 11.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
67.1%
+3.3 ptssince 1990
from 63.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
4.2%
+0.3 ptssince 1990
from 3.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

13.7 min
−13%since 1990
from 15.8 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.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lea County, New Mexico?

Lea County, New Mexico has about 55,511 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Lea County, New Mexico?

The typical household in Lea County, New Mexico earns about $29,799 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lea County, New Mexico expensive?

In Lea County, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $47,300, and the typical rent is about $388 a month.

How educated are people in Lea County, New Mexico?

About 11.6% of adults age 25 and over in Lea County, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lea County, New Mexico?

About 21.1% of people in Lea County, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lea County, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Lea County, New Mexico has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 254 residents, a change of about -0 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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