Otero County, New Mexico

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Otero County

| state = New Mexico

| seal =

| flag = Flag of Otero County, New Mexico.svg

| founded year = 1899

| named for = Miguel Antonio Otero

| founded date = January 30

| seat wl = Alamogordo

| largest city wl = Alamogordo

| area_total_sq_mi = 6628

| area_land_sq_mi = 6613

| area_water_sq_mi = 14

| area percentage = 0.2%

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 67839

| density_sq_mi = auto

| web = co.otero.nm.us

| ex image = Otero County Court House Alamogordo.jpg

| ex image cap = Otero County courthouse in Alamogordo

| district = 2nd

| time zone = Mountain

}}

Otero County ({{langx|es|Condado de Otero}}) is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,839.{{cite web|title=Otero County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Otero_County,_New_Mexico?g=050XX00US35035|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 3, 2023}} Its county seat is Alamogordo.{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}} Its southern boundary is the Texas state line. It is named for Miguel Antonio Otero, the territorial governor when the county was created.{{cite web|url=http://newmexicohistory.org/people/miguel-otero-father-son-and-grandson|last=Thompson|first=Mark|agency=New Mexico Office of the State Historian|title=Miguel Otero: Father, Son, and Grandson|access-date=September 13, 2018}}

Otero County includes the Alamogordo Micropolitan Statistical Area.

{{cite web |title=Alamogordo, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area |url=http://www2.census.gov/econ2007/Reference_materials/geography/maps/nm/metro/31000us10460m.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609135222/http://www2.census.gov/econ2007/Reference_materials/geography/maps/nm/metro/31000us10460m.pdf |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |url-status=live |date=December 2006 |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=September 9, 2009}}

History

The western part of Otero County was handed over to the United States Army as the US was preparing to enter World War II and eventually became part of White Sands Missile Range. This did not significantly hinder the growth of the county, whose population more than doubled in the 1950s.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/26/717299664/new-mexico-county-declares-local-emergency-over-abandoned-border-patrol-checkpoi|title=New Mexico County Declares Local Emergency Over Abandoned Border Patrol Checkpoints|last=Burnett|first=John|date=April 26, 2019|work=NPR News|access-date=April 27, 2019}} The inspection stations reopened August 5, 2019.

On Monday June 13, 2022, the county commissioners attracted nationwide attention by refusing to certify the results of the local 2022 primary election on June 7, 2022.

Morgan Lee [https://news.yahoo.com/building-anger-rural-mexico-erupts-181614155.html (18 June 2022) Building anger in rural New Mexico erupts in election crisis]
Otero County [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv9KECp4khg (13 June 2022) Otero County Special Meeting June 13, 2022 1:22:24] Commisioners District 1: Gerald Matherly; District 2: Couy Griffin; District 3: Vickie Marquardt; In response, the New Mexico Secretary of State filed a lawsuit and writ of mandamus against the commissioners for their refusal. By Friday June 17, 2022, two of the three commissioners agreed to certify the election results, which defused the crisis.
Fredreka Schouten [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/election-standoff-ends-in-new-mexico-county-after-false-fraud-claims-threw-primary-certification-into-question/ar-AAYB264 (17 Jun 2022) Election standoff ends in New Mexico county after false fraud claims threw primary certification into question].
Andrew Beale [https://sourcenm.com/2022/06/16/nm-supreme-court-steps-in-after-otero-county-refuses-to-certify-primary-result/ (16 Jun 2022) NM Supreme Court steps in after Otero County refuses to certify primary results].
Adrian Hedden Alamogordo Daily News [https://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/2022/06/16/otero-county-new-mexico-ordered-certify-2022-election-results-face-criminal-charges/65361397007/ (16 Jun 2022) New Mexico may open criminal investigation if Otero County doesn't certify election results].

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|6628|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|6613|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|14|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195546/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|archive-date=January 1, 2015}} It is the third-largest county in New Mexico by area.

=Adjacent counties=

Doña Ana County – west
Sierra County – northwest
Lincoln County – north
Chaves County – east
Eddy County – east
Culberson County, Texas – southeast
Hudspeth County, Texas – south
El Paso County, Texas – southwest

=National protected areas=

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

Demographics

{{US Census population

| 1900 = 4791

| 1910 = 7069

| 1920 = 7902

| 1930 = 9779

| 1940 = 10522

| 1950 = 14909

| 1960 = 36976

| 1970 = 41097

| 1980 = 44665

| 1990 = 51928

| 2000 = 62298

| 2010 = 63797

| 2020 = 67839

| estyear =

| estimate =

| estref =

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 2, 2015}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nm190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}} 2010{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35035.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 30, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606230237/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35035.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}

}}

=2000 census=

As of the 2000 census,{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} there were 62,298 people, 22,984 households, and 16,801 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 29,272 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 71.73% 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.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35035

|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033148/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35035

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|9.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 30,992 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4.7|/sqmi}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35035

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213233540/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35035

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The racial makeup of the county was 70.7% 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. In terms of ancestry, 13.4% were German, 8.1% were English, 8.0% were Irish, and 4.4% were American.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35035

|title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032401/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35035

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

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.

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.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35035

|title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 24, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213035116/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35035

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Education

School districts in the county include:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35035_otero/DC20SD_C35035.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503041353/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35035_otero/DC20SD_C35035.pdf |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Otero County, NM|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 27, 2021}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35035_otero/DC20SD_C35035_SD2MS.txt Text list]

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,{{cite web|url=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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728044225/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 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |url-status=live|title=AGENDA Regular Board Meeting (Virtual Meeting) Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 6:00 pm|publisher=Alamogordo Public Schools|accessdate=July 28, 2021|quote=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}} due to the distances involved, as the mileage to Alamogordo from the former Cienega School was {{convert|100|mi|km}} while the distance to Dell City is {{convert|20|mi|km}}.{{cite news|title=It all began here in a tent school in 1898|newspaper=Alamogordo Daily News|place=Alamogordo, New Mexico|date=August 15, 1975|page=4}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6369400/education-in-aamogordofri-aug-1975/ Clipping of whole article], and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104186815/ focus on the Dell City part], from Newspapers.com.

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=

=Census-designated places=

=Unincorporated communities=

Other places

{{coord|32.62|-105.73|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NM_source:UScensus1990}}

Politics and government

Otero County is a Republican stronghold, having last voted for a Democratic candidate in 1964. Governance of the county is under a three-member county commission.{{Cite web|url=http://co.otero.nm.us/27/Government|title=Government | Otero County, NM|website=co.otero.nm.us}}

{{PresHead|place=Otero County, New Mexico|whig=no|source1={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 1, 2018}}}}{{PresRow|2024|Republican|15,117|8,582|543|New Mexico}}

Otero County, New Mexico

History

Geography

=Adjacent counties=

=National protected areas=

Demographics

=2000 census=

=2010 census=

Education

Communities

=City=

=Villages=

=Census-designated places=

=Unincorporated communities=

Other places

Politics and government

See also

References

Further reading