Otero County, NM

County

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2020 Population

66,804

1.01% 1-year growth

US Senator

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Party

US Senator

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

36.2

1.12% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

19.1%

13.6% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$45,032

7.25% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$120,800

7.47% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

23,413

0.33% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Otero County, NM had a population of 66.8k people with a median age of 36.2 and a median household income of $45,032. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Otero County, NM grew from 66,137 to 66,804, a 1.01% increase and its median household income grew from $41,988 to $45,032, a 7.25% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Otero County, NM are White (Non-Hispanic) (47.8%), White (Hispanic) (27.1%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (6.16%), Two+ (Hispanic) (5.49%), and Other (Hispanic) (4.96%).

None of the households in Otero County, NM reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.1% of the residents in Otero County, NM are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Otero County, NM are Olympian Academy of Cosmetology-Alamogordo Campus (332 degrees awarded in 2020) and New Mexico State University-Alamogordo (213 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Otero County, NM was $120,800, and the homeownership rate was 65.9%.

Most people in Otero County, NM drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Otero County, NM was 2 cars per household.

Otero County, NM borders Chaves County, NM, Doña Ana County, NM, Eddy County, NM, Lincoln County, NM, Sierra County, NM, Culberson County, TX, El Paso County, TX, and Hudspeth County, TX.

Population & Diversity

Otero County, NM is home to a population of 66.8k people, from which 94.1% are citizens. As of 2020, 9.84% of Otero County, NM residents were born outside of the country (6.57k people).

In 2020, there were 1.76 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (31.9k people) in Otero County, NM than any other race or ethnicity. There were 18.1k White (Hispanic) and 4.11k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.1%

2020 Citizenship

92.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 94.1% of Otero County, NM residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Otero County, NM was 92.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Otero County, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Otero County, NM

White (Non-Hispanic)
31.9k ± 258
White (Hispanic)
18.1k ± 1.07k
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
4.11k ± 131

38.7%

Hispanic Population

25.9k people

38.7% of the people in Otero County, NM are hispanic (25.9k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Otero County, NM as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for New Mexico.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
131,978 ± 8,634 people
Philippines
5,612 ± 1,837 people
Germany
4,972 ± 1,729 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New Mexico was Mexico, the natal country of 131,978 New Mexico residents, followed by Philippines with 5,612 and Germany with 4,972.

Foreign-Born Population

9.84%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.57k people

11.3%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

7.49k people

As of 2020, 9.84% of Otero County, NM residents (6.57k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Otero County, NM was 11.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Otero County, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
2,697 ± 494
Vietnam
2,180 ± 325
Gulf War (1990s)
1,152 ± 247

Otero County, NM has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.24 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Otero County, NM employs 23.4k people. The largest industries in Otero County, NM are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,372 people), Retail Trade (2,945 people), and Public Administration (2,846 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($68,393), Public Administration ($46,263), and Manufacturing ($43,375).

Males in New Mexico have an average income that is 1.29 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,133. The income inequality in New Mexico (measured using the Gini index) is 0.461, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

23.4k

2020 Value

± 1,387

0.33%

1 Year growth

± 8.08%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Otero County, NM grew at a rate of 0.33%, from 23.3k employees to 23.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Otero County, NM, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,528 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,461 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,181 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Otero County, NM.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in New Mexico (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

23.4k

2020 Value

± 1,387

0.33%

1 Year growth

± 8.08%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Otero County, NM grew at a rate of 0.33%, from 23.3k employees to 23.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Otero County, NM, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,372 people), Retail Trade (2,945 people), and Public Administration (2,846 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Otero County, NM, though some of these residents may live in Otero County, NM and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$33,417

Median earning men ± $3,773

$21,971

Median earning women ± $1,141

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Public Administration ($54,709), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($54,526), and Information ($49,338).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Information ($34,503), Public Administration ($34,440), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($33,945).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in New Mexico. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in New Mexico.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

377
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
229
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
215
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$204k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$88.2k
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and Accommodation & Food Services
$74.5k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from New Mexico to other states, or from other states to New Mexico.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound New Mexico product (by dollars) was Electronics with $14.6B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($8.89B) and Crude petroleum ($8.24B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound New Mexico products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for New Mexico.

$68.4B

2020 Value in New Mexico

$117B

Projected 2050 Value in New Mexico

71.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound New Mexico trade was $68.4B. This is expected to increase 71.8% to $117B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound New Mexico trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from New Mexico to other states, or from other states to New Mexico.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$19.7B
Arizona
$5.99B
Louisiana
$3.03B

In 2020, the top outbound New Mexico domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $19.7B, followed by Arizona with $5.99B and Louisiana and $3.03B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that New Mexico shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Otero County, NM went to Donald J. Trump with 61.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.64%).

Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are the senators currently representing the state of New Mexico. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

New Mexico is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (61.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (36%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.64%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Otero County, NM went to Donald J. Trump with 61.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.64%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Otero County, NM for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senators Elections

US Senators from New Mexico

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

Martin Heinrich

Senator from New Mexico

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ben Ray Luján

Senator from New Mexico

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are the senators currently representing New Mexico.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in New Mexico over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from New Mexico

New Mexico is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for New Mexico have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Otero County, NM awarded 545 degrees. The student population of Otero County, NM in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 467 male students and 1,190 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Otero County, NM are Hispanic or Latino (241 and 44.5%), followed by White (169 and 31.2%), Black or African American (83 and 15.3%), and Unknown (16 and 2.96%).

The largest universities in Otero County, NM by number of degrees awarded are Olympian Academy of Cosmetology-Alamogordo Campus (332 and 60.9%) and New Mexico State University-Alamogordo (213 and 39.1%).

The most popular majors in Otero County, NM are General Cosmetology (164 and 30.1%), Phlebotamy Technician (100 and 18.3%), and Nail Specialist & Manicurist (60 and 11%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2020 there were 1,657 students enrolled in Otero County, NM, 28.2% men and 71.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 636 records, of which 67.8% were women and 32.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Cosmetology
164 degree-majors awarded
Barbering
45 degree-majors awarded
Hair Styling & Design
7 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Otero County, NM was General Cosmetology with 164 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Otero County, NM according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Olympian Academy of Cosmetology-Alamogordo Campus
332 degrees awarded
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
213 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Olympian Academy of Cosmetology-Alamogordo Campus with 332 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2020, 93 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Otero County, NM, which is 0.206 times less than the 452 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 241 degrees mean that there were 1.43 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 169 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,232) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Public, 2-year ($192) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Public, 2-year ($1,240) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

Measure

In 2020, 0.928% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.791% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (443k), Some college (406k), and Secondary Education (260k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Otero County, NM was $120,800 in 2020, which is 0.526 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $112,400 to $120,800, a 7.47% increase. The homeownership rate in Otero County, NM is 65.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Otero County, NM have an average commute time of 20.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Otero County, NM is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Otero County, NM is $45,032. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Otero County, NM was Census Tract 3.04 with a value of $64,740, followed by Census Tract 9.01 and Census Tract 3.06, with respective values of $56,607 and $54,883.

In 2021, 12.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Otero County, NM. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 1.46%.

Housing

Property

$120,800

Median Property Value 2020

±$4,976

$15,237

Median Property Taxes

±$868

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Otero County, NM the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Otero County, NM compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

65.9%

Homeownership

2020

68.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 65.9% of the housing units in Otero County, NM were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 64.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Otero County, NM compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 3.04
Census Tract 9.01
Census Tract 3.06

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Otero County, NM was Census Tract 3.04 with a value of $64,740, followed by Census Tract 9.01 and Census Tract 3.06, with respective values of $56,607 and $54,883.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Otero County, NM colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$45,032

Median Household Income

± $2,105

23.1k

Number of Households

± 1,183

In 2020, the median household income of the 23.1k households in Otero County, NM grew to $45,032 from the previous year's value of $41,988.

The following chart displays the households in Otero County, NM distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Otero County, NM is from New Mexico.

0.461

2020 Wage GINI in New Mexico

0.462

2019 Wage GINI in New Mexico

In 2020, the income inequality in New Mexico was 0.461 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.2% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New Mexico was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in New Mexico in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in New Mexico across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (81.5%)
Carpooled (9.73%)
Worked At Home (4.13%)

In 2020, 81.5% of workers in Otero County, NM drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.73%) and those who worked at home (4.13%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Otero County, NM have a shorter commute time (20.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 1.97% of the workforce in Otero County, NM have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Otero County, NM compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Otero County, NM distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Otero County, NM have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2021, 12.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Otero County, NM. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 1.46%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

19.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Otero County, NM (12.1k out of 63.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Otero County, NM is White, followed by Hispanic and Native American.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2021, 27.7% of the children was living in poverty in Otero County, NM. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 8.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2021, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 355 in Otero County, NM. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 23.1 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

90.8% of the population of Otero County, NM has health coverage, with 23.4% on employee plans, 30.8% on Medicaid, 10.4% on Medicare, 15.3% on non-group plans, and 11% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in New Mexico was $7,214 in 2014. This is a 5.16% increase from the previous year ($6,860).

Primary care physicians in Otero County, NM see 2385 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.45% increase from the previous year (2351 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1875 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 357 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for New Mexico. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in New Mexico, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,385 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Otero County, NM

Primary care physicians in Otero County, NM see an average of 2,385 patients per year. This represents a 1.45% increase from the previous year (2,351 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Otero County, NM in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of New Mexico across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.5% under 18 years, 20.7% between 18 and 34 years, 34.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.19%

Uninsured

23.4%

Employer Coverage

30.8%

Medicaid

10.4%

Medicare

15.3%

Non-Group

11%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Otero County, NM grew by 8.34% from 8.48% to 9.19%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Otero County, NM changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 56.7 in Otero County, NM.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Otero County, NM.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2021, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 31.3% in Otero County, NM.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Otero County, NM.

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