Otero County, CO

County

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2019 Population

18,282

0.235% 1-year decline

US Senator

Michael Bennet

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Hickenlooper

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

39.9

0.746% 1-year decrease

2019 Poverty Rate

23.7%

4.32% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$38,169

11.8% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$94,900

3.26% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

7,030

0.529% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Otero County, CO had a population of 18.3k people with a median age of 39.9 and a median household income of $38,169. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Otero County, CO declined from 18,325 to 18,282, a −0.235% decrease and its median household income grew from $34,136 to $38,169, a 11.8% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Otero County, CO are White (Non-Hispanic) (53.1%), White (Hispanic) (37%), Other (Hispanic) (2.95%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.01%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (1.06%). 0% of the households in Otero County, CO speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

96.6% of the residents in Otero County, CO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Otero County, CO are Otero Junior College (418 degrees awarded in 2019).

In 2019, the median property value in Otero County, CO was $94,900, and the homeownership rate was 63.9%. Most people in Otero County, CO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Otero County, CO was 2 cars per household.

Otero County, CO borders Bent County, CO, Crowley County, CO, Kiowa County, CO, Las Animas County, CO, and Pueblo County, CO.

United States Colorado

Diversity

Otero County, CO is home to a population of 18.3k people, from which 96.6% are citizens. As of 2019, 5.02% of Otero County, CO residents were born outside of the country (917 people).

In 2019, there were 1.43 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (9.71k people) in Otero County, CO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.77k White (Hispanic) and 540 Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Otero County, CO

White (Non-Hispanic)
9.71k ± 190
White (Hispanic)
6.77k ± 222
Other (Hispanic)
540 ± 214

41.9%

Hispanic Population

7.66k people

41.9% of the people in Otero County, CO are hispanic (7.66k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.02%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

917 people

5.69%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

1.04k people

As of 2019, 5.02% of Otero County, CO residents (917 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Otero County, CO was 5.69%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.7

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.6

In 2019, the median age of all people in Otero County, CO was 39.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 39. But people in Otero County, CO are getting getting younger. In 2018, the average age of all Otero County, CO residents was 40.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
223,913 ± 11,383 people
India
21,817 ± 3,619 people
China
18,194 ± 3,306 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Colorado was Mexico, the natal country of 223,913 Colorado residents, followed by India with 21,817 and China with 18,194.

Citizenship

96.6%

2019 Citizenship

96%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 96.6% of Otero County, CO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Otero County, CO was 96%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
586 ± 114
Gulf War (1990s)
209 ± 85
Gulf War (2001-)
97 ± 54

Otero County, CO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.8 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Colorado. 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 Colorado, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Colorado (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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

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 Colorado. 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 Colorado.

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Community Mobility

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

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

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Economy

Median household income in Otero County, CO is $38,169. In 2019, the tract with the highest median household income in Otero County, CO was Census Tract 9685 with a value of $51,136, followed by Census Tract 9683 and Census Tract 9680, with respective values of $44,972 and $42,550.

Males in Colorado have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $55,618. The income inequality in Colorado (measured using the Gini index) is 0.468, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Otero County, CO employs 7.03k people. The largest industries in Otero County, CO are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,105 people), Educational Services (721 people), and Public Administration (650 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($61,533), Transportation & Warehousing ($52,817), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,000).

Wages

Median Household Income

$38,169

2019 value

± $2,833

11.8%

1 Year Growth

± 10.1%

Households in Otero County, CO have a median annual income of $38,169, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $34,136 in 2018, which represents a 11.8% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Otero County, CO compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$73,146

Average Male Salary in Colorado

± $1,595

$55,618

Average Female Salary in Colorado

± $1,298

In 2019, full-time male employees in Colorado made 1.32 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Colorado by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Colorado

Asian
$60,017 ± $5,643
White
$58,456 ± $1,040
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$55,471 ± $28,746

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Colorado workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.03 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Colorado.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Colorado by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Otero County, CO is from Colorado.

0.468

2019 Wage GINI in Colorado

0.468

2018 Wage GINI in Colorado

In 2019, the income inequality in Colorado was 0.468 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0332% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Colorado was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Colorado in comparison to the national average.

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

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9685
Census Tract 9683
Census Tract 9680

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Otero County, CO was Census Tract 9685 with a value of $51,136, followed by Census Tract 9683 and Census Tract 9680, with respective values of $44,972 and $42,550.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

23.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Otero County, CO (4.23k out of 17.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females 55 - 64.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
3,433 ± 361
Hispanic
2,218 ± 318
Two Or More
384 ± 138

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Otero County, CO is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

7.03k

2019 Value

± 529

0.529%

1 Year growth

± 10.6%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Otero County, CO grew at a rate of 0.529%, from 6.99k employees to 7.03k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Otero County, CO, are Management Occupations (803 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (634 people), and Production Occupations (543 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Otero County, CO.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Otero County, CO, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (803 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (634 people), and Production Occupations (543 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Otero County, CO has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (6.01 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.64 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (1.67 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Otero County, CO, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($67,059), Legal Occupations ($62,000), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($53,646).

Industries

Employment by Industries

7.03k

2019 Value

± 529

0.529%

1 Year growth

± 10.6%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Otero County, CO grew at a rate of 0.529%, from 6.99k employees to 7.03k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Otero County, CO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,105 people), Educational Services (721 people), and Public Administration (650 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Otero County, CO, though some of these residents may live in Otero County, CO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Otero County, CO, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,105 people), Educational Services (721 people), and Public Administration (650 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Otero County, CO has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (6.03 times higher than expected), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (2.45 times), and Public Administration (2 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Otero County, CO, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($61,533), Transportation & Warehousing ($52,817), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,000).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Colorado product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $23.5B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($22.6B) and Electronics ($17.6B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Colorado.

$213B

2018 Value in Colorado

$360B

Projected 2045 Value in Colorado

68.9% growth

In 2018, total outbound Colorado trade was $213B. This is expected to increase 68.9% to $360B by 2045.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Wyoming
$11.6B
California
$9.48B
Texas
$8.88B

In 2018, the top outbound Colorado domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Wyoming with $11.6B, followed by California with $9.48B and Texas and $8.88B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Otero County, CO went to Donald J. Trump with 58.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (34.8%), followed by Other (6.87%). The most partisan county was Kiowa County, CO with 85.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are the senators currently representing the state of Colorado. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Colorado is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.3%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (34.8%)
Democratic Party
Other (6.87%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Colorado went to Donald J. Trump with 58.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (34.8%), followed by Other (6.87%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Colorado for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Colorado.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Otero County, CO

58.3% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Colorado

Kiowa County, CO
85.1% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Washington County, CO
84.1% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Cheyenne County, CO
83.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Colorado was Kiowa County, CO with 85.1% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Colorado colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Colorado

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

Michael Bennet

Senator from Colorado

Assumed office on January 21, 2009
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Ken Salazar, who had become Secretary of the Interior.

John Hickenlooper

Senator from Colorado

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are the senators currently representing Colorado.

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 Colorado over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Colorado

Colorado is currently represented by 7 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 Colorado have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Otero County, CO awarded 418 degrees. The student population of Otero County, CO is skewed towards women, with 524 male students and 755 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Otero County, CO are White (226 and 55.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (141 and 34.7%), Unknown (13 and 3.2%), and Two or More Races (10 and 2.46%).

The largest universities in Otero County, CO by number of degrees awarded are Otero Junior College (418 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Otero County, CO are Liberal Arts & Sciences (88 and 21.1%), Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (40 and 9.57%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (39 and 9.33%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
88 degree-majorss awarded
Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities
40 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
37 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Otero County, CO was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 88 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Otero County, CO according to their major.

Universities

Otero Junior College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

418 degrees awarded

In 2019, the Otero County, CO institution with the largest number of graduating students was Otero Junior College with 418 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

177

Degrees Awarded to Men

241

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 177 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Otero County, CO, which is 0.734 times less than the 241 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Otero County, CO by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
226 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
141 degrees awarded
Unknown
13 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Otero County, CO was White students. These 226 degrees mean that there were 1.6 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 141 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Otero County, CO was $94,900 in 2019, which is 0.395 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $91,900 to $94,900, a 3.26% increase. The homeownership rate in Otero County, CO is 63.9%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Otero County, CO have an average commute time of 15.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Otero County, CO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$94,900

2019 Median

± $4,724

$91,900

2018 Median

± $6,155

In 2019, the median property value in Otero County, CO grew to to $94,900 from the previous year's value of $91,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Otero County, CO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Otero County, CO the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

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

$38,169

Median Household Income

± $2,833

7.72k

Number of Households

± 522

In 2019, the median household income of the 7.72k households in Otero County, CO grew to $38,169 from the previous year's value of $34,136.

The following chart displays the households in Otero County, CO 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 < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Otero County, CO distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Otero County, CO the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

63.9%

2019 Homeownership

62.2%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 63.9% of the housing units in Otero County, CO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.2%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Otero County, CO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

15.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Otero County, CO have a shorter commute time (15.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.83% of the workforce in Otero County, CO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (77.6%)
Carpooled (11.1%)
Worked At Home (4.22%)

In 2019, 77.6% of workers in Otero County, CO drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.1%) and those who worked at home (4.22%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

89.7% of the population of Otero County, CO has health coverage, with 33.6% on employee plans, 30.7% on Medicaid, 13.7% on Medicare, 9.56% on non-group plans, and 2.18% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Colorado was $6,804 in 2014. This is a 5.13% increase from the previous year ($6,472).

Primary care physicians in Otero County, CO see 1843 patients per year on average, which represents a 20.7% increase from the previous year (1527 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3046 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 237 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Costilla County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (17.9%). Additionally, Logan County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (36%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,843 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Otero County, CO

Primary care physicians in Otero County, CO see an average of 1,843 patients per year. This represents a 20.7% increase from the previous year (1,527 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$6,804

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Colorado

$4,623

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,143

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,287

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Colorado (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.13%, from $6,472 to $6,804.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

10.3%

Uninsured

33.6%

Employer Coverage

30.7%

Medicaid

13.7%

Medicare

9.56%

Non-Group

2.18%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Otero County, CO grew by 7.53% from 9.6% to 10.3%.

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