County · New Mexico
Otero County, New Mexico
Otero County, New Mexico. Otero County had 70,368 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than New Mexico (+0.4%). It holds 17 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 14 census-designated) and 21 census tracts. GEOID 35035.
Otero County is the county of the Alamogordo, NM micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
70,368
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 67,839 · ACS 2020-2024: 68,816
Median household income
$55,876
±$2,502 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $64,059
Median home value
$162,700
±$7,486 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $248,100
Median gross rent
$962
±$61 (90% margin)
New Mexico: $1,067
How many people live in Otero County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 67,839 residents in Otero County. The Census Bureau estimates 70,368 for July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than New Mexico (+0.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 68,816 over 6,613 square miles of land.
| Measure | Otero County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 68,816 | 2,120,246 | +2,679 |
| Households | 24,480±637 | 837,414 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.67±0.07 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 32,645±118 | 956,964 | +900 |
Otero County's population since 2000
From 62,298 in 2000 to 70,368 in 2025: up 13.0%. 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 17 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Alamogordo with 31,906 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Alamogordo | 30,898 | $55,952 |
|---|---|---|
| Chaparral | 16,551 | $46,017 |
| Holloman AFB | 3,810 | $52,465 |
| Tularosa | 2,553 | $52,375 |
| Boles AcresGEOID 3508440 | 1,788 | $52,788 |
| La Luz | 1,578 | $46,655 |
| Mescalero | 1,480 | $24,313 |
| High RollsGEOID 3532160 | 862 | $86,375 |
| CloudcroftGEOID 3516280 | 750 | $56,563 |
| TimberonGEOID 3577950 | 345 | not published |
| Twin ForksGEOID 3580470 | 228 | $76,042 |
| BentGEOID 3506760 | 150 | not published |
| MayhillGEOID 3547150 | 96 | not published |
| WeedGEOID 3583970 | 67 | not published |
| SacramentoGEOID 3565560 | 53 | not published |
| OrograndeGEOID 3554500 | 35 | not published |
| PinonGEOID 3557440 | 24 | not published |
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 36.4 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 17.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 45.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 39.6%. 9.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Otero County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.4±0.3 | 39.4 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.5%±0.2 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 39.6% | 48.4% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 45.5%±0.6 pts | 36.0% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 5.8%±0.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.7%±1.1 pts | 9.4% | −1.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.8%±1.6 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 14.6%±1.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 19.9%±1.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.1%±1.5 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.8%±1.4 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.7%±1.6 pts | 31.0% | +5.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6%±1.0 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.9%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 24,480 households earn less than $55,876 a year (±$2,502), against $64,059 in New Mexico. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,674 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,202 after inflation. 19.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Otero County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,876±$2,502 | $64,059 | +$4,202 |
| Mean household income | $74,572±$3,591 | $88,155 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,760±$1,270 | $36,218 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.3%±2.3 pts | 17.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.0%±5.1 pts | 24.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.6%±2.2 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0%±1.7 pts | 86.5% | – |
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 67.0% of Otero County's occupied homes and renters 33.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $162,700 by its owner (±$7,486). The median renter pays $962 a month including utilities, and 37.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Otero County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $162,700±$7,486 | $248,100 | +$24,370 |
| Median gross rent | $962±$61 | $1,067 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.5%±5.1 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,271±$58 | $1,564 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.0%±2.4 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 32,645±118 | 956,964 | +900 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.3%±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9%±3.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.8%±2.1 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 29.0%±1.9 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.2%±0.6 pts | 4.4% | – |
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 3 new housing units across Otero County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.0 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?
78.2% of Otero County's workers drive alone and 6.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.6%.
| Measure | Otero County | New Mexico | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0%±1.4 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.6%±1.6 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.2%±2.4 pts | 73.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.2%±2.1 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.8%±1.0 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.7%±1.5 pts | 12.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min±1.3 | 23.5 min | +2.6 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 21 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $28,036 (Tract 7.02) to $108,750 (Tract 4.03).
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 New Mexico's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 33 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 6th of 33 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th of 33 |
| Median household income | 13th of 32 |
| Median home value | 18th of 32 |
| Median gross rent | 11th of 31 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th of 33 |
| Median age | 25th of 33 |
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.