Otero County Demographics

A map of Otero County's Population by Race

Otero County, New Mexico has an estimated population of 68,816, a slight increase from the 67,839 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.5% White, 39.6% Hispanic, 6.4% Native American/Other, 3.5% Black, 3.5% Multiracial, and 1.5% 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 less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is about as diverse as 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 Otero County, that probability was 63.6% in 2020 and 62.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Otero County is ranked the 9th most populous county in New Mexico, out of 33 counties. Otero County was ranked the 9th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Otero County's White Population

31,299 residents of Otero County, or 45.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Otero County is higher than in New Mexico overall, where 36% of the population is White. Otero County ranks 13th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of Otero County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 45.5%.

Otero County is more White than neighboring El Paso County (11% White), Doña Ana County (26.7% White), Hudspeth County (27.5% White), and Eddy County (42.9% White). Otero County is less White than neighboring Lincoln County (60.2% White).

Otero County's Black Population

2,419 residents of Otero County, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Otero County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Otero County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Black population has grown by an estimated 5.2%. Black residents' share of Otero County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Otero County is more Black than neighboring El Paso County (3% Black), Doña Ana County (1.4% Black), Lincoln County (0.8% Black), Hudspeth County (1.4% Black), and Eddy County (1.2% Black).

Otero County's Asian Population

1,005 residents of Otero County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Otero County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Otero County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Otero County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Otero County is more Asian than neighboring El Paso County (1.2% Asian), Doña Ana County (1.1% Asian), Lincoln County (0.5% Asian), Hudspeth County (0% Asian), and Eddy County (0.6% Asian).

Otero County's Hispanic Population

27,267 residents of Otero County, or 39.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Otero County is lower than in New Mexico overall, where 48.4% of the population is Hispanic. Otero County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Otero County's population has increased from 38.6% to 39.6%.

Otero County is more Hispanic than neighboring Lincoln County (33% Hispanic). Otero County is less Hispanic than neighboring El Paso County (82.7% Hispanic), Doña Ana County (67.9% Hispanic), Hudspeth County (66.7% Hispanic), and Eddy County (51.6% Hispanic).

Otero County's Native American/Other Population

4,402 residents of Otero County, or 6.4% 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 slightly lower than in New Mexico overall, where 9% of the population is Native American/Other. Otero County ranks 7th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 6.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Otero County's population has decreased from 6.9% to 6.4%.

Otero County is more Native American/Other than neighboring El Paso County (0.6% Native American/Other), Doña Ana County (0.9% Native American/Other), Lincoln County (3.3% Native American/Other), Hudspeth County (0% Native American/Other), and Eddy County (1.5% Native American/Other).

Otero County's Multiracial Population

2,424 residents of Otero County, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Otero County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Otero County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Otero County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Otero County's population has decreased from 4.1% to 3.5%.

Otero County is more Multiracial than neighboring El Paso County (1.5% Multiracial), Doña Ana County (2% Multiracial), Lincoln County (2.2% Multiracial), and Eddy County (2.3% Multiracial). Otero County is less Multiracial than neighboring Hudspeth County (4.4% 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.