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Otero County, New Mexico
Otero County Court House Alamogordo
Otero County courthouse in Alamogordo
Map of New Mexico highlighting Otero County
Location in the state of New Mexico
Map of the U.S
New Mexico's location in the U.S.
Founded January 30, 1899
Named for Miguel Antonio Otero
Seat Alamogordo
Largest city Alamogordo
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

6,628 sq mi (17,166 km²)
6,613 sq mi (17,128 km²)
14 sq mi (36 km²), 0.2%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

67,839
9.6/sq mi (4/km²)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website co.otero.nm.us

Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,839.[1] Its county seat is Alamogordo.[2] Its southern boundary is the Texas state line. It is named for Miguel Antonio Otero, the territorial governor when the county was created.[3]

Otero County includes the Alamogordo Micropolitan Statistical Area.[4]

History[]

The county declared a state of emergency in April 2019 when the federal inspection stations on U.S. Route 70 and U.S. Route 54 were left unstaffed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of the temporary closure of all six checkpoints in the El Paso Sector, which covers West Texas and New Mexico. The county was concerned about the possibility of illegal narcotics flowing north unchecked since the checkpoint agents had been shifted to the border to help process migrant asylum-seekers.[5] The inspection stations reopened August 5, 2019.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,628 square miles (17,170 km2), of which 6,613 square miles (17,130 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (0.2%) is water.[6] It is the third-largest county in New Mexico by area.

Adjacent counties[]

National protected areas[]

  • Lincoln National Forest (part)
  • White Sands National Park (part)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1910 7,069
1920 7,902 11.8%
1930 9,779 23.8%
1940 10,522 7.6%
1950 14,909 41.7%
1960 36,976 148.0%
1970 41,097 11.1%
1980 44,665 8.7%
1990 51,928 16.3%
2000 62,298 20.0%
2010 63,797 2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 62,298 people, 22,984 households, and 16,801 families living in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (4/km2). There were 29,272 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.71% White, 3.92% Black or African American, 5.80% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 11.67% from other races, and 3.60% from two or more races. 32.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,984 households, out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.50% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,861, and the median income for a family was $34,781. Males had a median income of $27,657 versus $18,470 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,345. About 15.60% of families and 19.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.90% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 census, there were 63,797 people, 24,464 households, and 16,641 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 9.6 inhabitants per square mile (3.7 /km2). There were 30,992 housing units at an average density of 4.7 per square mile (1.8 /km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 72.7% white, 6.7% American Indian, 3.5% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 11.5% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 34.5% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 13.4% were German, 8.1% were English, 8.0% were Irish, and 4.4% were American.[14]

Of the 24,464 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 36.5 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,615 and the median income for a family was $46,210. Males had a median income of $32,939 versus $25,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,255. About 15.2% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.0% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Education[]

School districts in the county include:[16]

  • Alamogordo Public Schools
  • Cloudcroft Municipal Schools
  • Gadsden Independent Schools
  • Tularosa Municipal Schools

While the southeast portion of the county is in the Alamogordo district, that district contracts education of residents there to the Dell City Independent School District of Dell City, Texas,[17] due to the distances involved, as the mileage to Alamogordo from the former Cienega School was 100 miles (160 km) while the distance to Dell City is 20 miles (32 km).[18]

Tribal schools affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE):

  • Mescalero Apache Schools

State-operated schools:

  • New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Schools operated by foreign governments:

  • Deutsche Schule Alamogordo (closed)

Tertiary:

  • New Mexico State University Alamogordo

Public libraries:

  • Alamogordo Public Library

Communities[]

City[]

  • Alamogordo (county seat)

Villages[]

  • Cloudcroft
  • Tularosa

Census-designated places[]

  • Bent
  • Boles Acres
  • Chaparral
  • High Rolls
  • Holloman AFB
  • La Luz
  • Mayhill
  • Mescalero
  • Orogrande
  • Piñon
  • Sacramento
  • Timberon
  • Twin Forks
  • Weed

Other communities[]

  • Hortonville
  • Mountain Park
  • Newman
  • Sunspot
  • Three Rivers

Other places[]

  • Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation
  • White Sands National Park
  • National Solar Observatory
  • Otero County Prison Facility

Coordinates: 32°37′N 105°44′W / 32.62, -105.73

Politics and government[]

Governance of the county is under a three-member county commission.[19]

In early 2021 Commissioner Couy Griffin,[20] a former street preacher[21] with a record of extreme political statements, was banned from entering the sizable Mescalero Apache Reservation in his own jurisdiction,[22] participated in the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6th. Griffin was charged with two federal crimes for his involvement.[23] On January 19th the other two commissioners called for his resignation.[22] They joined New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, who had also called on Griffin to resign for neglecting his duties, for using his office for personal gain, and for his role in the attack.[23]

United States presidential election results for Otero County, New Mexico[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 14,521 61.61% 8,485 36.00% 565 2.40%
2016 11,887 59.26% 6,124 30.53% 2,049 10.21%
2012 12,451 62.22% 6,829 34.12% 732 3.66%
2008 12,806 58.83% 8,610 39.56% 350 1.61%
2004 14,066 67.74% 6,433 30.98% 265 1.28%
2000 10,258 63.31% 5,465 33.73% 481 2.97%
1996 9,065 55.49% 5,938 36.35% 1,334 8.17%
1992 7,481 46.17% 5,377 33.19% 3,345 20.64%
1988 9,984 64.50% 5,284 34.14% 210 1.36%
1984 9,751 69.22% 4,167 29.58% 169 1.20%
1980 7,210 60.26% 4,111 34.36% 644 5.38%
1976 5,914 52.10% 5,333 46.98% 105 0.92%
1972 7,033 65.91% 2,981 27.94% 656 6.15%
1968 4,475 43.77% 3,978 38.91% 1,771 17.32%
1964 3,498 36.59% 6,035 63.13% 27 0.28%
1960 4,507 47.81% 4,916 52.15% 3 0.03%
1956 3,919 60.45% 2,558 39.46% 6 0.09%
1952 2,456 53.16% 2,162 46.80% 2 0.04%
1948 1,354 36.27% 2,361 63.25% 18 0.48%
1944 1,467 43.63% 1,892 56.28% 3 0.09%
1940 1,596 47.09% 1,788 52.76% 5 0.15%
1936 1,333 39.73% 1,989 59.28% 33 0.98%
1932 969 30.99% 2,091 66.87% 67 2.14%
1928 1,250 51.91% 1,148 47.67% 10 0.42%
1924 832 41.17% 886 43.84% 303 14.99%
1920 1,229 51.36% 1,095 45.76% 69 2.88%
1916 561 37.03% 824 54.39% 130 8.58%
1912 220 21.87% 420 41.75% 366 36.38%



See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Otero County, New Mexico

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35035.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Thompson, Mark. "Miguel Otero: Father, Son, and Grandson". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. http://newmexicohistory.org/people/miguel-otero-father-son-and-grandson. 
  4. ^ "Alamogordo, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area". US Census Bureau. December 2006. http://www2.census.gov/econ2007/Reference_materials/geography/maps/nm/metro/31000us10460m.pdf. 
  5. ^ Burnett, John (April 26, 2019). "New Mexico County Declares Local Emergency Over Abandoned Border Patrol Checkpoints". NPR News. https://www.npr.org/2019/04/26/717299664/new-mexico-county-declares-local-emergency-over-abandoned-border-patrol-checkpoi. 
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt. 
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nm190090.txt. 
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  12. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35035. 
  13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35035. 
  14. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35035. 
  15. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35035. 
  16. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Otero County, NM". U.S. Census Bureau. https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35035_otero/DC20SD_C35035.pdf. Retrieved 2021-07-27. 
  17. ^ "AGENDA Regular Board Meeting (Virtual Meeting) Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 6:00 pm". Alamogordo Public Schools. http://www.aps4kids.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_372378/File/Board%20of%20Education/July%2022%20REg%20MTG/2020-07-22%20Virtual%20Regular%20Board%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf. Retrieved 2021-07-28. "Dell City Purchase Requisition 20210058 - $34,063.12 for out of state tuition for students residing in the southeast corner of Otero County, NM that attend Dell City, TX ISD" 
  18. ^ "It all began here in a tent school in 1898". Alamogordo Daily News (Alamogordo, New Mexico): p. 4. 1975-08-15.  - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Government" Otero County website
  20. ^ "Couy Griffin". https://www.co.otero.nm.us/280/Couy-Griffin. 
  21. ^ Simonich, Milan (21 May 2020). "He's king of the cowboys and self-promotion". Santa Fe New Mexican. https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/local_columns/ringside_seat/hes-king-of-the-cowboys-and-self-promotion/article_7ff540d6-9916-11ea-a788-c3cafa46dc6a.html. 
  22. ^ a b "2 Otero County Commissioners call for resignation of Couy Griffin". https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/2-otero-county-commissioners-call-for-resignation-of-couy-griffin/. 
  23. ^ a b "FBI: Cowboys for Trump founder taken into custody in connection to Capitol riots". KOB. 17 January 2021. https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/fbi-cowboys-for-trump-founder-taken-into-custody-in-connection-to-capitol-riots/5981612/. 
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

Further reading[]

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Otero County, New Mexico. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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