Lea County, New Mexico Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lea County is located in New Mexico with a total population of 73,154. It is the 7th most populous county out of 33 in New Mexico.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lea County is 32.5 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.2 years. With 29.8% of the population under 18, Lea County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lea County is $68,750. This is 11% higher than the state median of $62,125. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $176,000. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $232,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Lea County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Lea County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 61.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.8%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.

Education

15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 30.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.6%.