Otero County, Colorado Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 27th-largest in Colorado
The population of Otero County, Colorado is 18,460 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 27th-largest county in Colorado. The median household income is $54,897, the median home value is $160,700, and the median age is 40.9.
The population of Otero County has declined 4.6% since 2010 (18,857 → 17,991), a -0.34% annualized rate.
18,460
Population
-0.34%
Annual growth
15
People / sq mi
$54,897
Median Income
$160,700
Median Home Value
Otero County covers 1,262 sq mi of land at 14.6 people per square mile.
About Otero County, CO
The poverty rate is what most separates Otero County from the typical county: 15.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 18,460 residents, Otero County is a county in Colorado. It ranks #27 among counties in Colorado by population.
Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $54,897, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 15.6%, above the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $160,700, with typical rent around $796.
Roughly 18.8% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the lower side here, at 5.6%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 21 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Otero County: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Otero County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Otero County had a population of 18,857 in 2010 and 17,991 in 2024, a -4.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,857 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.33%.
17,991
Population (2024)
18,857
Population (2010)
18,857
Peak (2010)
-0.33%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,857 |
| 2011 | 18,837 |
| 2012 | 18,631 |
| 2013 | 18,449 |
| 2014 | 18,334 |
| 2015 | 18,182 |
| 2016 | 18,279 |
| 2017 | 18,344 |
| 2018 | 18,354 |
| 2019 | 18,243 |
| 2020 | 18,664 |
| 2021 | 18,530 |
| 2022 | 18,272 |
| 2023 | 18,148 |
| 2024 | 17,991 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 71.0% |
| Black or African American | 1.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
40.9
Median Age
50.3%
Female
49.7%
Male
21.0%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.0% · Seniors (65+): 21.0%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $54,897$-37,573 vs state |
| Mean household income | $68,583 |
| Per-capita income | $28,634 |
| Poverty rate | 15.6%+9.7% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6% |
| Employment-to-population | 54.0% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Otero County is professional & business services, accounting for 30.0% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
4.0%
Carpool
78.0%
Public transit
5.6%
Work from home
21.3 min
Avg commute
Housing
$160,700$-341,500 vs state
Median home value
$796
Median rent
68.9%
Homeownership rate
8,725
Total housing units
87.6%
Occupied
12.4%
Vacant
31.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
92.9%
With health insurance
90.1%
With broadband internet
27.6%
Foreign-born
8.7%
Veterans (18+)
17.6%
With a disability
85.9%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
89.2%
High School+
18.8%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Colorado
Other counties in Colorado
Part of Colorado
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Otero County, Colorado has a population of 18,460 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 27th-largest county in Colorado. Population density is 15 people per square mile.
The population of Otero County has declined 4.6% since 2010 (18,857 → 17,991), a -0.34% annualized rate.
The median household income in Otero County, Colorado is $54,897, with mean (average) household income of $68,583 and per-capita income of $28,634. 15.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Otero County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (71.0%), Hispanic or Latino (4.1%), Black or African American (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Otero County, Colorado is 40.9 years. Residents are 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
The median home value in Otero County is $160,700 and median monthly rent is $796. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 8,725 total housing units, 12.4% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Otero County, Colorado is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 30.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.6%.
Denver is among the largest cities associated with Otero County, Colorado, with a population of 713,734.
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Statewide data for Colorado
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Colorado
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.