County population in 2014: 18,488 (66% urban, 34% rural); it was 20,311 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 2,905 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 2,114 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 5,483 Renter-occupied apartments: 2,710 (it was 2,437 in 2000)
% of renters here:
31%
State:
34%
Land area: 1263 sq. mi.
Water area: 6.9 sq. mi.
Population density: 15 people per square mile (low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Otero County: 81.3 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (34.3%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (12.3%), Educational, health and social services (11.0%), Retail trade (10.7%), Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (10.5%).
Estimated median household income in 2015: $34,059 ($29,738 in 1999)
This county:
$34,059
Colorado:
$63,909
Median contract rent in 2015 for apartments: $486 (lower quartile is $361, upper quartile is $655)
This county:
$486
State:
$987
Estimated median house or condo value in 2015: $105,251 (it was $67,700 in 2000)
Otero:
$105,251
Colorado:
$283,800
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $68,404 - $174,796 Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $952 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $362
Institutionalized population: 201
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $527 (0.5%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $431 (0.4%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 24.3%
(14.8% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 38.9% for Black residents, 35.9% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 51.8% for American Indian residents, 49.7% for other race residents, 62.8% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 22.1%
Otero County:
22.1%
Colorado:
11.5%
(13.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 31.6% for Black residents, 31.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 45.8% for American Indian residents, 35.2% for other race residents, 55.9% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2015: 39 years old
(Males: 39 years old, Females: 40 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 48 years old, Black residents: 45 years old, American Indian residents: 39 years old, Asian residents: 56 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 32 years old, Other race residents: 48 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Otero County is $414 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $503 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $697 a month.
Current college students: 963 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 75.7% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15.4%
Number of foreign born residents: 990 (19% naturalized citizens)
Otero County:
4.9%
Whole state:
8.6%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 221
1990 to 1994: 258
1985 to 1989: 119
1980 to 1984: 61
1975 to 1979: 66
1970 to 1974: 107
1970 to 1974: 52
1965 to 1969: 106
Note: State values scaled to Otero County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 18.0 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 84.0%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 6,928
One, attached: 141
Two: 277
3 or 4: 145
5 to 9: 225
10 to 19: 132
20 or more: 269
Mobile homes: 696
Housing units in Otero County with a mortgage: 2,405 (280 second mortgage, 131 home equity loan, 2 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,898
Here:
55.9% with mortgage
State:
79.2% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Otero County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Catholic
10,415
3
Evangelical Protestant
2,037
32
Mainline Protestant
1,941
14
Other
592
3
Black Protestant
4
1
None
3,842
-
Otero County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 4
Otero County:
2.13 / 10,000 pop.
State:
1.50 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:
0.53 / 10,000 pop.
Colorado:
0.15 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 15
Otero County:
7.99 / 10,000 pop.
Colorado:
3.13 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 23
This county:
12.24 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.99 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Otero County:
7.0%
Colorado:
5.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Otero County:
23.3%
State:
18.4%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
10.6%
State:
9.6%
Agriculture in Otero County:
Average size of farms: 1120 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $217,194 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $351.62 The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 89.04% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $216,831 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 6.05% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 97.31% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $94,102 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 90.37% Average age of principal farm operators: 52 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 12.31 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.05% Corn for grain: 4088 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 2531 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 273 harvested acres Vegetables: 1,977 harvested acres Land in orchards: 12 acres
Earthquake activity:
Otero County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly below Colorado state average. It is 47% greater than the overall U.S. average.
On 8/10/2005 at 22:08:22, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 95.8 miles away from Otero County center On 1/3/2007 at 14:34:38, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, 4.4 MW, 4.4 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 92.7 miles away from the county center On 9/5/2001 at 10:52:07, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 78.5 miles away from the county center On 3/22/2004 at 12:09:56, a magnitude 4.4 (4.4 MB, 4.4 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 102.1 miles away from the county center On 10/18/1984 at 15:30:23, a magnitude 5.5 (5.4 MB, 5.1 MS, 5.5 ML) earthquake occurred 318.5 miles away from Otero County center On 8/1/2004 at 06:50:47, a magnitude 4.4 (4.4 MB, 4.3 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 110.3 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Colorado Snow, Incident Period: December 28, 2006 to December 31, 2006, Emergency Declared EM-3271: January 07, 2007, FEMA Id: 3271, Natural disaster type: Snow
Colorado Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3224: September 05, 2005, FEMA Id: 3224, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Colorado Wildfires, Incident Period: April 23, 2002 to August 06, 2002, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1421: June 19, 2002, FEMA Id: 1421, Natural disaster type: Fire
Colorado Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides, Incident Period: April 29, 1999 to May 19, 1999, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1276: May 17, 1999, FEMA Id: 1276, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
Colorado Flooding, Incident Period: July 28, 1997 to August 12, 1997, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1186: August 01, 1997, FEMA Id: 1186, Natural disaster type: Flood
Colorado Drought, Incident Period: January 29, 1977, Emergency Declared EM-3025: January 29, 1977, FEMA Id: 3025, Natural disaster type: Drought
Colorado TORNADOES, SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, Incident Period: June 19, 1965, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-200: June 19, 1965, FEMA Id: 200, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
The number of natural disasters in Otero County (7) is smaller than the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 4 Emergencies Declared: 3
Law enforcement workers including supervisors (7%)
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (7%)
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (6%)
Office and administrative support occupations (24%)
Sales and related occupations (14%)
Management occupations (12%)
Education, training, and library occupations (7%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (7%)
Personal care and service occupations (7%)
Healthcare support occupations (6%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (81%)
Germany (5%)
Pakistan (3%)
India (2%)
Ireland (1%)
Korea (1%)
Trinidad and Tobago (1%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Otero County (%):
German (15%)
United States or American (9%)
English (7%)
Irish (7%)
Italian (3%)
Scottish (2%)
Scotch-Irish (2%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 6,114 (75%)
Carpooled: 1,167 (14%)
Bus or trolley bus: 40 (0%)
Taxi: 7 (0%)
Motorcycle: 5 (0%)
Bicycle: 22 (0%)
Walked: 439 (5%)
Other means: 19 (0%)
Worked at home: 392 (5%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Otero County, Colorado in 2000:
264 people in nursing homes
155 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
65 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
24 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
23 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
19 people in homes for the mentally retarded
8 people in homes for the mentally ill
6 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
4 people in other group homes
People in group quarters in Otero County, Colorado in 2010:
207 people in college/university student housing
163 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
38 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
25 people in group homes intended for adults
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $40,501.
5.77% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($30,763 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.77%
Colorado average:
9.68%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.65% relocated from other counties in Colorado ($19,407 average AGI)
2.11% relocated from other states ($11,356 average AGI)
Otero County:
2.11%
Colorado average:
4.25%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
6.17% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($26,431 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.17%
Colorado average:
9.12%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.05% relocated to other counties in Colorado ($18,794 average AGI)
2.12% relocated to other states ($7,637 average AGI)
Otero County:
2.12%
Colorado average:
3.65%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 14.6 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 14.6
Births per 1000 population in Otero County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.9 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.8 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 12.6
Deaths per 1000 population in Otero County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 5.8 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 7.3
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Otero County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 18.3% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 10.1%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Otero County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Otero County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 4,110 (3,377 aged, 733 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 787 (18%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Otero County, Colorado in 1999 - 2014:
3,439 married couples with children.
1,413 single-parent households (331 men, 1,082 women).
78.1% of residents of Otero County speak English at home.
20.8% of residents speak Spanish at home (61% speak English very well, 20% speak English well, 12% speak English not well, 7% don't speak English at all).
0.9% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (60% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 21% speak English not well).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (38% speak English very well, 62% speak English well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (100% speak English very well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $164,491,000 ($8,390 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $2,488,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $61,181,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $34,023,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $4,228,000 Federal grants: $55,454,000 Federal procurement contracts: $2,101,000 ($17,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $7,502,000 ($275,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $3,972,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $8,134,000 Federal Government insurance: $16,247,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,550
Here:
80 per 1000 residents
State:
76 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 1,171
Here:
60 per 1000 residents
State:
32 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +196
Here:
+10 per 1000 residents
State:
+24 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -1,370
Here:
-70 per 1000 residents
State:
+10 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Otero County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 3.39 millions of gallons per day (68% from ground, 32% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
5.9
State:
6.5
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.2
State:
3.9
Year house built
2014 or later: 0
2010 to 2013: 54
2000 to 2009: 411
1990 to 1999: 895
1980 to 1989: 662
1970 to 1979: 1,152
1960 to 1969: 1,173
1950 to 1959: 917
1940 to 1949: 953
1939 or earlier: 2,650
Note: State values scaled to Otero population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Otero County, Colorado
Note: State values scaled to Otero County population
no vehicle: 231
1 vehicle: 1,435
2 vehicles: 2,303
3 vehicles: 1,009
4 vehicles: 302
5+ vehicles: 203
no vehicle: 450
1 vehicle: 1,106
2 vehicles: 707
3 vehicles: 139
4 vehicles: 31
5+ vehicles: 4
57% of Otero County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 62% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 58% lived in Colorado.
Otero County:
56.9%
State average:
45.7%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 13,320
Northeast: 238
Midwest: 2,472
South: 1,453
West: 1,764
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $63,700
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Otero County
Click here to upload your Otero County photos (outside city limits)
40.0 years
36.0 years
(49.0%)
(51.0%)
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