CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Otero County

New Mexico · 67,839 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 $45,032. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $120,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% 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
67,839
+9%since 2000
from 62,298 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
10 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 9 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.0
+9%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
50K55K60K65K71K1990201020202024Otero County
202469K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,032
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,861 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,777
+73%since 2000
from $14,345 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.8%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 19.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Retail trade1.7%
US avg: 10%
Manufacturing1.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$120,800
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$811
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $441 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 66.9% in 2000
32.6% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+21%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Otero County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic55.7%(34,728)
Black3.7%(2,285)
Hispanic / Latino32.2%(20,033)
Asian1.1%(685)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.5%(40,184)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic45.6%(30,931)
Black3.4%(2,299)
Hispanic / Latino38.6%(26,152)
Asian1.5%(1,001)
Other9.1%(6,172)
Diversity Score77.4%(52,541)
Segregation Score38.7%(26,284)
Diversity Score
77
+20%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
39
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.8%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 81.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.3%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
+43%since 2000
from 14.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.1%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 57.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.4%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
48.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
9.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.2%
−71.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+33%
Home value$180,400+49%
Population877,858+1148%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Doña Ana County
Income$56,848+26%
Home value$220,800+83%
Population229,091+226%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Lincoln County
Income$53,303+18%
Home value$233,200+93%
Population19,844−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTERO COUNTY VS
Hudspeth County
Income$48,600+8%
Home value$64,000−47%
Population3,433−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Otero County, New Mexico?

Otero County, New Mexico has about 67,839 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Otero County, New Mexico earns about $45,032 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 $120,800, and the typical rent is about $811 a month.

How educated are people in Otero County, New Mexico?

About 18.9% 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 19.1% 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 15,911 residents, a change of about 31 percent over that period.

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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

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