Otero County, New Mexico

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 17,165 km² (6,627 mi²). 17,163 km² (6,626 mi²) of it is land and 2 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.01% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 62,298 people, 22,984 households, and 16,801 families residing in the county. The population density is 4/km² (9/mi²). There are 29,272 housing units at an average density of 2/km² (4/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 73.71% White, 3.92% 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 are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 22,984 households out of which 37.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% are married couples living together, 11.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% are non-families. 23.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.66 and the average family size is 3.14.

In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $30,861, and the median income for a family is $34,781. Males have a median income of $27,657 versus $18,470 for females. The per capita income for the county is $14,345. 19.30% of the population and 15.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 27.90% are under the age of 18 and 12.80% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Alamogordo
• Boles Acres
• Cloudcroft
• Holloman AFB
• La Luz
• Mescalero
• Timberon
• Tularosa