Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of 2000, the population was 62,298. Its county seat is Alamogordo. Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 17,165 km˛ (6,627 mi˛). 17,163 km˛ (6,626 mi˛) of it is land and 2 km˛ (1 mi˛) of it (0.01%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Doņa Ana County, New Mexico - west
- Sierra County, New Mexico - northwest
- Lincoln County, New Mexico - north
- Chaves County, New Mexico - east
- Eddy County, New Mexico - east
- Culberson County, Texas - southeast
- Hudspeth County, Texas - south
- El Paso County, Texas - southwest
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,298 people, 22,984 households, and 16,801 families residing in the county. The population density was 4/km˛ (9/mi˛). There were 29,272 housing units at an average density of 2/km˛ (4/mi˛). The racial makeup of the county was 73.71% White, 3.92% Black, 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 were Hispanic of any race.
There were 22,984 households out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the county the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,861, and the median income for a family was $34,781. Males had a median income of $27,657 versus $18,470 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,345. About 15.60% of families and 19.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- Alamogordo
- Boles Acres
- Cloudcroft
- Holloman AFB
- La Luz
- Mescalero
- Timberon
- Tularosa
Other places of interest
- Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation
- White Sands National Monument
- National Solar Observatory
Demographic information courtesy of Wikipedia
Local DWI Coordinator for Otero County
HR Prather
1000 New York Ave. Rm. 101
Alamagordo, NM 88310
505.443.2929 (w)
505.443.2941 (f)
HRPrather@co.otero.nm.us