Otero County, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otero County
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Otero County courthouse in Alamogordo
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Location within the U.S. state of New Mexico
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 New Mexico's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Mexico |
| Founded | January 30, 1899 |
| Seat | Alamogordo |
| Largest city | Alamogordo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6,628 sq mi (17,170 km2) |
| • Land | 6,613 sq mi (17,130 km2) |
| • Water | 14 sq mi (40 km2) 0.2%% |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 63,797 |
| • Density | 9.6/sq mi (3.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,797. Its county seat is Alamogordo. Its southern boundary is the Texas state line.
Otero County comprises the Alamogordo, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,628 square miles (17,170 km2), of which 6,613 square miles (17,130 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (0.2%) is water. It is the third-largest county in New Mexico by area.
Adjacent counties
- Doña Ana County – west
- Sierra County – northwest
- Lincoln County – north
- Chaves County – east
- Eddy County – east
- Culberson County, Texas – southeast
- Hudspeth County, Texas – south
- El Paso County, Texas – southwest
National protected areas
- Lincoln National Forest (part)
- White Sands National Monument (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 7,069 | — | |
| 1920 | 7,902 | 11.8% | |
| 1930 | 9,779 | 23.8% | |
| 1940 | 10,522 | 7.6% | |
| 1950 | 14,909 | 41.7% | |
| 1960 | 36,976 | 148.0% | |
| 1970 | 41,097 | 11.1% | |
| 1980 | 44,665 | 8.7% | |
| 1990 | 51,928 | 16.3% | |
| 2000 | 62,298 | 20.0% | |
| 2010 | 63,797 | 2.4% | |
| Est. 2015 | 64,362 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 |
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2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,298 people, 22,984 households, and 16,801 families residing in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 29,272 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 73.71% White, 3.92% Black or African American, 5.80% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 11.67% from other races, and 3.60% from two or more races. 32.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 22,984 households out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county, the population was spread out with 29.50% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,861, and the median income for a family was $34,781. Males had a median income of $27,657 versus $18,470 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,345. About 15.60% of families and 19.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 63,797 people, 24,464 households, and 16,641 families residing in the county. The population density was 9.6 inhabitants per square mile (3.7/km2). There were 30,992 housing units at an average density of 4.7 per square mile (1.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.7% white, 6.7% American Indian, 3.5% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 11.5% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 34.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 13.4% were German, 8.1% were English, 8.0% were Irish, and 4.4% were American.
Of the 24,464 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 36.5 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,615 and the median income for a family was $46,210. Males had a median income of $32,939 versus $25,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,255. About 15.2% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
City
- Alamogordo (county seat)
Villages
Census-designated places
Other communities
- Hortonville
- Mountain Park
- Newman
- Sunspot
- Three Rivers
Other places
