Otero County, Colorado Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Otero County is located in Colorado with a total population of 18,460. It is the 27th most populous county out of 64 in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Otero County is 40.9 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 37.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Otero County is $54,897. This is 41% lower than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.6%. This is 152% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 4.5%. The median home value is $160,700. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $502,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Otero County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 66.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Otero County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 41.7%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (41.7% vs 22.2%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.

Education

18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 44.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.2%.