County · Colorado
Otero County, Colorado
Otero County, Colorado. Otero County had 17,683 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.4% since 2020, while Colorado grew 4.1%. It holds 8 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 08089.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
17,683
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,690 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,321
Median household income
$54,037
±$5,856 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$168,900
±$10,846 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$839
±$89 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
How many people live in Otero County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,690 residents in Otero County. The Census Bureau estimates 17,683 for July 1, 2025, down 5.4% since 2020, while Colorado grew 4.1%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,321 over 1,262 square miles of land.
| Measure | Otero County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,321 | 5,862,189 | +39 |
| Households | 7,584±236 | 2,374,218 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.07 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,746±23 | 2,589,053 | −253 |
Otero County's population since 2000
From 20,311 in 2000 to 17,683 in 2025: down 12.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Otero County?
Otero County holds 8 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is La Junta with 6,864 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| La Junta | 7,322 | $52,315 |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Ford | 3,876 | $40,655 |
| Fowler | 1,253 | $44,048 |
| SwinkGEOID 0875970 | 604 | $44,219 |
| North La Junta | 482 | $47,941 |
| Manzanola | 341 | $36,010 |
| Cheraw | 237 | $52,857 |
| La Junta GardensGEOID 0842165 | 123 | $83,701 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Otero County?
The median resident of Otero County is 41.8 years old; 23.1% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 42.0%. 4.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Otero County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8±1.4 | 37.7 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 23.1%±0.2 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3%±0.4 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 42.0% | 22.5% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.4%±0.8 pts | 64.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | +0.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.8%±1.6 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.2%±2.5 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±1.5 pts | 7.5% | – |
| With a disability | 19.3%±2.0 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±2.1 pts | 7.7% | −3.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.7%±2.9 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.2%±2.0 pts | 45.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0%±1.5 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±1.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Otero County earn?
Half of Otero County's 7,584 households earn less than $54,037 a year (±$5,856), against $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 the median was $46,974 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,063 after inflation. 22.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Otero County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,037±$5,856 | $95,470 | +$7,063 |
| Mean household income | $68,476±$4,060 | $128,255 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,645±$1,532 | $52,636 | +$2,665 |
| People below the poverty line | 22.1%±3.5 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.3%±7.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.8%±4.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8%±2.7 pts | 93.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Otero County?
Owners occupy 68.9% of Otero County's occupied homes and renters 31.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,900 by its owner (±$10,846). The median renter pays $839 a month including utilities, and 33.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Otero County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $168,900±$10,846 | $539,400 | +$52,107 |
| Median gross rent | $839±$89 | $1,761 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.7%±7.3 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,370±$116 | $2,326 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.9%±3.5 pts | 66.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,746±23 | 2,589,053 | −253 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.3%±6.7 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.0%±3.3 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.6%±2.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.9%±3.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Otero County building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units across Otero County in 2025 (8 single-family), 0.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Otero County get to work?
78.3% of Otero County's workers drive alone and 6.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.7%.
| Measure | Otero County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.5%±2.1 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.7%±2.2 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.3%±4.0 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.7%±2.9 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Walked | 5.3%±2.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.1%±2.0 pts | 21.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min±3.1 | 25.2 min | +5.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Otero County's census tracts?
Otero County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,938 (Tract 9681) to $64,073 (Tract 9685).
| Tract 968008089968000 | 1,373±194 | $47,143 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 968108089968100 | 2,736±304 | $34,938 |
| Tract 968208089968200 | 2,650±378 | $62,442 |
| Tract 968308089968300 | 4,239±541 | $57,188 |
| Tract 968408089968400 | 915±187 | $55,000 |
| Tract 968508089968500 | 1,671±258 | $64,073 |
| Tract 968608089968600 | 4,737±464 | $53,906 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Otero County compare with Colorado's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 27th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 62nd of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 28th of 64 |
| Median household income | 52nd of 64 |
| Median home value | 58th of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 56th of 63 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 63 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 61st of 64 |
| Median age | 31st of 64 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Otero County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.