Lea County Demographics

A map of Lea County's Population by Race

Lea County, New Mexico has an estimated population of 73,733, a less than 1% change from the 74,455 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.7% Hispanic, 31.0% White, 3.1% Black, 1.8% Multiracial, 0.7% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Lea County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Lea has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New Mexico overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Lea County, that probability was 52.8% in 2020 and 50.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Lea County is ranked the 7th most populous county in New Mexico, out of 33 counties. Lea County was ranked the 7th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Lea County's White Population

22,854 residents of Lea County, or 31.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Lea County is slightly lower than in New Mexico overall, where 36% of the population is White. Lea County ranks 25th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Lea County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.9%. White residents' share of Lea County's population has decreased from 31.9% to 31.0%.

Lea County is less White than neighboring Gaines County (56.4% White), Andrews County (38.8% White), Eddy County (42.9% White), and Loving County (93.9% White).

Lea County's Black Population

2,307 residents of Lea County, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Lea County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Lea County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Lea County's Black population has declined by an estimated 7.6%. Black residents' share of Lea County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.1%.

Lea County is more Black than neighboring Yoakum County (0.1% Black), Gaines County (2.1% Black), Andrews County (1.6% Black), Eddy County (1.2% Black), and Loving County (0% Black).

Lea County's Asian Population

491 residents of Lea County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Lea County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Lea County ranks 15th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Lea County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 22.8%. Asian residents' share of Lea County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Lea County is more Asian than neighboring Gaines County (0.6% Asian), Andrews County (0.3% Asian), and Eddy County (0.6% Asian). Lea County is less Asian than neighboring Yoakum County (0.9% Asian), and Loving County (6.1% Asian).

Lea County's Hispanic Population

46,266 residents of Lea County, or 62.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Lea County is considerably higher than in New Mexico overall, where 48.4% of the population is Hispanic. Lea County ranks 7th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Lea County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Lea County's population has increased from 60.7% to 62.7%.

Lea County is more Hispanic than neighboring Gaines County (40.3% Hispanic), Andrews County (57.5% Hispanic), Eddy County (51.6% Hispanic), and Loving County (0% Hispanic). Lea County is less Hispanic than neighboring Yoakum County (65.6% Hispanic).

Lea County's Native American/Other Population

465 residents of Lea County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Lea County is lower than in New Mexico overall, where 9% of the population is Native American/Other. Lea County ranks 28th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Lea County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 41.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Lea County's population has decreased from 1.1% to 0.6%.

Lea County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Yoakum County (0% Native American/Other), Gaines County (0.1% Native American/Other), Andrews County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Loving County (0% Native American/Other). Lea County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Eddy County (1.5% Native American/Other).

Lea County's Multiracial Population

1,350 residents of Lea County, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Lea County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Lea County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Lea County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 13.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Lea County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Lea County is more Multiracial than neighboring Gaines County (0.6% Multiracial), Andrews County (1.3% Multiracial), and Loving County (0% Multiracial). Lea County is less Multiracial than neighboring Yoakum County (2.3% Multiracial), and Eddy County (2.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.