Otero County Demographics

A map of Otero County's Population by Race

Otero County, Colorado has an estimated population of 18,321, a slight decrease from the 18,690 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 52.4% White, 42.0% Hispanic, 2.9% Multiracial, 1.1% Black, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 0.7% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Otero County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Otero has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Colorado overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Otero County, that probability was 54.2% in 2020 and 54.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Otero County is ranked the 27th most populous county in Colorado, out of 64 counties. Otero County was ranked the 27th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Otero County's White Population

9,597 residents of Otero County, or 52.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Otero County is considerably lower than in Colorado overall, where 64.8% of the population is White. Otero County ranks 59th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's White population has declined by an estimated 4.2%. White residents' share of Otero County's population has decreased from 53.6% to 52.4%.

Otero County is more White than neighboring Pueblo County (51% White). Otero County is less White than neighboring Crowley County (55.7% White), Bent County (53.7% White), Las Animas County (54.2% White), and Lincoln County (74.1% White).

Otero County's Black Population

197 residents of Otero County, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Otero County is slightly lower than in Colorado overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Otero County ranks 26th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Black population has grown by an estimated 47.0%. Black residents' share of Otero County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Otero County is less Black than neighboring Crowley County (6.6% Black), Bent County (3.2% Black), Las Animas County (1.6% Black), Pueblo County (1.9% Black), and Lincoln County (5.5% Black).

Otero County's Asian Population

137 residents of Otero County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Otero County is slightly lower than in Colorado overall, where 3.2% of the population is Asian. Otero County ranks 44th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 39.8%. Asian residents' share of Otero County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Otero County is more Asian than neighboring Lincoln County (0.1% Asian). Otero County is less Asian than neighboring Crowley County (0.8% Asian), Bent County (0.9% Asian), Las Animas County (1.3% Asian), and Pueblo County (0.8% Asian).

Otero County's Hispanic Population

7,695 residents of Otero County, or 42.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Otero County is significantly higher than in Colorado overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Otero County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Otero County's population has increased from 41.2% to 42.0%.

Otero County is more Hispanic than neighboring Crowley County (29% Hispanic), Bent County (32.5% Hispanic), Las Animas County (38.8% Hispanic), and Lincoln County (15.2% Hispanic). Otero County is less Hispanic than neighboring Pueblo County (42.1% Hispanic).

Otero County's Native American/Other Population

155 residents of Otero County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Otero County is comparable to the share in Colorado overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Otero County ranks 24th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 36.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Otero County's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.8%.

Otero County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Crowley County (3.9% Native American/Other), Bent County (1.2% Native American/Other), Las Animas County (1.3% Native American/Other), Pueblo County (1% Native American/Other), and Lincoln County (1.1% Native American/Other).

Otero County's Multiracial Population

540 residents of Otero County, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Otero County is comparable to the share in Colorado overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. Otero County ranks 58th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 8.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Otero County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.9%.

Otero County is less Multiracial than neighboring Crowley County (4% Multiracial), Bent County (8.4% Multiracial), Pueblo County (3.2% Multiracial), and Lincoln County (4% 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.