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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Otero County

New Mexico · 62,298 residents · 6,612.562 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 $30,861. Population has grown 20% since 1990. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $68,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 33.8
US median: 35.2
Less educated
15% 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

Total population
62,298
+20%since 1990
from 51,928 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
9 / sq mi
+20%since 1990
from 8 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
33.8
+16%since 1990
from 29.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
50K55K60K65K71K1990201020202024Otero County
202469K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,861
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,624 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,345
+43%since 1990
from $10,053 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
19.3%
+2.5 ptssince 1990
from 16.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$68,700
−9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $57,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$441
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $355 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
66.9%
+4.5 ptssince 1990
from 62.4% in 1990
33.1% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−12%since 1990
from 2.5 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Otero County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic79.7%(41,379)
Black5.3%(2,751)
Hispanic / Latino23.5%(12,201)
Asian2%(1,042)
Diversity Score66.8%(34,679)
2000
White, non-Hispanic55.7%(34,728)
Black3.7%(2,285)
Hispanic / Latino32.2%(20,033)
Asian1.1%(685)
Diversity Score64.5%(40,184)
Diversity Score
65
−3%since 1990
from 67 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.4%
+0.5 ptssince 1990
from 15.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
81.0%
−0.5 ptssince 1990
from 81.6% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 6.2% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.4 min
−21%since 1990
from 18.3 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Otero County

Vermilion County
Pop 71,259
Troup County
Pop 72,844
Walker County
Pop 65,140
Walker County
Pop 70,250
Places similar to Otero County
Head to head

Compare Otero County to nearby counties

OTERO COUNTY VS
El Paso County
Income$59,806+94%
Home value$180,400+163%
Population877,858+1148%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Doña Ana County
Income$56,848+84%
Home value$220,800+221%
Population229,091+226%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Lincoln County
Income$53,303+73%
Home value$233,200+239%
Population19,844−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Hudspeth County
Income$48,600+57%
Home value$64,000−7%
Population3,433−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Otero County, New Mexico?

Otero County, New Mexico has about 62,298 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Otero County, New Mexico earns about $30,861 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Otero County, New Mexico expensive?

In Otero County, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $68,700, and the typical rent is about $441 a month.

How educated are people in Otero County, New Mexico?

About 15.4% of adults age 25 and over in Otero County, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 19.3% of people in Otero County, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Has Otero County, New Mexico grown since 1990?

Yes, Otero County, New Mexico has grown since 1990. The population has added about 10,370 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

21 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 9.03Census Tract 9.04Census Tract 4.01Census Tract 4.04Census Tract 6.04Census Tract 3.04Census Tract 9.01Census Tract 3.05Census Tract 9400Census Tract 7.01Census Tract 4.03Census Tract 3.06Census Tract 5.01Census Tract 3.03Census Tract 6.02Census Tract 6.03Census Tract 2Census Tract 1Census Tract 5.02Census Tract 7.02
17 ZIP codes
ZIP 88310ZIP 88081ZIP 88330ZIP 88352ZIP 88340ZIP 88317ZIP 88337ZIP 88325ZIP 88311ZIP 88350ZIP 88347ZIP 79837ZIP 88344ZIP 88354ZIP 88314ZIP 88342ZIP 88349
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →