Otero County, CO

County

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2020 Population

18,284

0.0109% 1-year growth

US Senator

Michael Bennet

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Hickenlooper

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

40.4

1.25% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

22.2%

6.2% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$43,075

12.9% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$101,000

6.43% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

7,109

1.12% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Otero County, CO had a population of 18.3k people with a median age of 40.4 and a median household income of $43,075. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Otero County, CO grew from 18,282 to 18,284, a 0.0109% increase and its median household income grew from $38,169 to $43,075, a 12.9% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Otero County, CO are White (Non-Hispanic) (52.4%), White (Hispanic) (33.5%), Other (Hispanic) (3.9%), Two+ (Hispanic) (3.69%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.96%).

None of the households in Otero County, CO 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.

97.6% of the residents in Otero County, CO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Otero County, CO are Otero Junior College (380 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Otero County, CO was $101,000, and the homeownership rate was 66.9%. Most people in Otero County, CO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.1 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 97.6% are citizens. As of 2020, 4.44% of Otero County, CO residents were born outside of the country (812 people).

In 2020, there were 1.57 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (9.59k people) in Otero County, CO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.12k White (Hispanic) and 713 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)
9.59k ± 220
White (Hispanic)
6.12k ± 343
Other (Hispanic)
713 ± 196

42.2%

Hispanic Population

7.71k people

42.2% of the people in Otero County, CO are hispanic (7.71k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.44%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

812 people

5.02%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

917 people

As of 2020, 4.44% of Otero County, CO residents (812 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, CO was 5.02%, 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

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 5.7

In 2020, the median age of all people in Otero County, CO was 40.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Otero County, CO are getting getting older. In 2019, 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
216,688 ± 11,209 people
India
20,857 ± 3,539 people
China
19,477 ± 3,421 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Colorado was Mexico, the natal country of 216,688 Colorado residents, followed by India with 20,857 and China with 19,477.

Citizenship

97.6%

2020 Citizenship

96.6%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.6% of Otero County, CO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Otero County, CO was 96.6%, 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
436 ± 101
Gulf War (1990s)
291 ± 140
Gulf War (2001-)
223 ± 91

Otero County, CO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.5 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 $43,075. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Otero County, CO was Census Tract 9685 with a value of $60,809, followed by Census Tract 9684 and Census Tract 9686, with respective values of $52,361 and $52,083.

Males in Colorado have an average income that is 1.3 times higher than the average income of females, which is $57,644. The income inequality in Colorado (measured using the Gini index) is 0.467, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Otero County, CO employs 7.11k people. The largest industries in Otero County, CO are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,228 people), Educational Services (794 people), and Manufacturing (639 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($82,553), Transportation & Warehousing ($54,950), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($53,446).

Wages

Median Household Income

$43,075

2020 value

± $3,977

12.9%

1 Year Growth

± 10.5%

Households in Otero County, CO have a median annual income of $43,075, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $38,169 in 2019, which represents a 12.9% 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 Sex in Common Jobs

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

$74,881

Average Male Salary in Colorado

± $1,620

$57,644

Average Female Salary in Colorado

± $1,321

In 2020, full-time male employees in Colorado made 1.3 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-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
$63,078 ± $5,813
White
$60,521 ± $1,078
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$55,928 ± $29,600

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Colorado workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.04 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.

0.467

2020 Wage GINI in Colorado

0.468

2019 Wage GINI in Colorado

In 2020, the income inequality in Colorado was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.264% decline from 2019 to 2020, 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 9684
Census Tract 9686

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Otero County, CO was Census Tract 9685 with a value of $60,809, followed by Census Tract 9684 and Census Tract 9686, with respective values of $52,361 and $52,083.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Males 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

22.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Otero County, CO (3.97k out of 17.9k 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 Males 55 - 64, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

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
3,098 ± 366
Hispanic
2,029 ± 312
Two Or More
357 ± 157

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

7.11k

2020 Value

± 605

1.12%

1 Year growth

± 11.2%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Otero County, CO grew at a rate of 1.12%, from 7.03k employees to 7.11k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Otero County, CO, are Management Occupations (743 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (741 people), and Production Occupations (660 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 (743 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (741 people), and Production Occupations (660 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Otero County, CO has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (7.03 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.26 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (2.2 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 ($69,879), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($60,727), and Construction & Extraction Occupations ($60,457).

Industries

Employment by Industries

7.11k

2020 Value

± 605

1.12%

1 Year growth

± 11.2%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Otero County, CO grew at a rate of 1.12%, from 7.03k employees to 7.11k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Otero County, CO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,228 people), Educational Services (794 people), and Manufacturing (639 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 (1,228 people), Educational Services (794 people), and Manufacturing (639 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Otero County, CO has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (5.63 times higher than expected), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (3.35 times), and Utilities (1.93 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Otero County, CO, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($82,553), Transportation & Warehousing ($54,950), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($53,446).

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

Mixed freight
$23.8B
Coal-n.e.c.
$20.7B
Machinery
$16.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Colorado product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $23.8B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($20.7B) and Machinery ($16.3B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Colorado.

$221B

2020 Value in Colorado

$434B

Projected 2050 Value in Colorado

96.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound Colorado trade was $221B. This is expected to increase 96.6% to $434B by 2050.

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

California
$10.3B
Texas
$10.2B
Wyoming
$9.13B

In 2020, the top outbound Colorado domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $10.3B, followed by Texas with $10.2B and Wyoming and $9.13B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Otero County, CO went to Donald J. Trump with 60.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.6%), followed by Other (1.33%). The most partisan county was Kiowa County, CO with 88% 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

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (60.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.6%)
Democratic Party
Other (1.33%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Otero County, CO went to Donald J. Trump with 60.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.6%), followed by Other (1.33%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Otero County, CO

60.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Colorado

Kiowa County, CO
88% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Cheyenne County, CO
87.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Washington County, CO
86.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Colorado was Kiowa County, CO with 88% 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 2020, universities in Otero County, CO awarded 380 degrees. The student population of Otero County, CO is skewed towards women, with 473 male students and 743 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Otero County, CO are White (200 and 53.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (125 and 33.7%), Black or African American (22 and 5.93%), and Two or More Races (7 and 1.89%).

The largest universities in Otero County, CO by number of degrees awarded are Otero Junior College (380 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Otero County, CO are Liberal Arts & Sciences (68 and 17.9%), Registered Nursing (63 and 16.6%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (40 and 10.5%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
68 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
63 degree-majorss awarded
Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities
30 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Otero County, CO was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 68 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

380 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Otero County, CO institution with the largest number of graduating students was Otero Junior College with 380 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

138

Degrees Awarded to Men

242

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 138 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Otero County, CO, which is 0.57 times less than the 242 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
200 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
125 degrees awarded
Black or African American
22 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Otero County, CO was White students. These 200 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 125 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Otero County, CO was $101,000 in 2020, which is 0.44 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $94,900 to $101,000, a 6.43% increase. The homeownership rate in Otero County, CO is 66.9%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Otero County, CO have an average commute time of 21.1 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

$101,000

2020 Median

± $7,758

$94,900

2019 Median

± $4,724

In 2020, the median property value in Otero County, CO grew to to $101,000 from the previous year's value of $94,900.

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.

$43,075

Median Household Income

± $3,977

7.76k

Number of Households

± 592

In 2020, the median household income of the 7.76k households in Otero County, CO grew to $43,075 from the previous year's value of $38,169.

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

66.9%

2020 Homeownership

63.9%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 66.9% of the housing units in Otero County, CO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 63.9%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Otero County, CO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Otero County, CO have a shorter commute time (21.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3.95% 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 2020

Drove Alone (77.3%)
Carpooled (12.8%)
Worked At Home (3.89%)

In 2020, 77.3% of workers in Otero County, CO drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.8%) and those who worked at home (3.89%).

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

91.4% of the population of Otero County, CO has health coverage, with 35% on employee plans, 30.2% on Medicaid, 13.8% on Medicare, 10.1% on non-group plans, and 2.31% 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

8.65%

Uninsured

35%

Employer Coverage

30.2%

Medicaid

13.8%

Medicare

10.1%

Non-Group

2.31%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Otero County, CO declined by 16.2% from 10.3% to 8.65%.

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.