Otero County, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otero County
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Otero County Courthouse in La Junta
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Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
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 Colorado's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| Founded | March 25, 1889 |
| Named for | Miguel Antonio Otero |
| Seat | La Junta |
| Largest city | La Junta |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,270 sq mi (3,300 km2) |
| • Land | 1,262 sq mi (3,270 km2) |
| • Water | 7.7 sq mi (20 km2) 0.6%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,690 |
| • Density | 15/sq mi (6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,690. The county seat is La Junta. The county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,270 square miles (3,300 km2), of which 1,262 square miles (3,270 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (0.6%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Crowley County - north
- Kiowa County - northeast
- Bent County - east
- Las Animas County - south
- Pueblo County - west
Major highways
U.S. Highway 50
U.S. Highway 350
State Highway 10
State Highway 71
State Highway 109
State Highway 167
State Highway 207
State Highway 266
National protected areas
Trails and byways
- American Discovery Trail
- Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 4,192 | — | |
| 1900 | 11,522 | 174.9% | |
| 1910 | 20,201 | 75.3% | |
| 1920 | 22,623 | 12.0% | |
| 1930 | 24,390 | 7.8% | |
| 1940 | 23,571 | −3.4% | |
| 1950 | 25,275 | 7.2% | |
| 1960 | 24,128 | −4.5% | |
| 1970 | 23,523 | −2.5% | |
| 1980 | 22,567 | −4.1% | |
| 1990 | 20,185 | −10.6% | |
| 2000 | 20,311 | 0.6% | |
| 2010 | 18,831 | −7.3% | |
| 2020 | 18,690 | −0.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 18,136 | −3.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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At the 2000 census there were 20,311 people, 7,920 households, and 5,472 families living in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). There were 8,813 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.02% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 1.43% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 15.06% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. 37.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 7,920 households 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 12.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.
The age distribution was 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median household income was $29,738 and the median family income was $35,906. Males had a median income of $26,996 versus $21,001 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,113. About 14.20% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Towns
Census-designated places
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Otero (Colorado) para niños
