Otero
New Mexico

What stands out

If you had to describe Otero County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is among the sunniest in America (2.8 on the USDA scale), rainfall is in the bottom 2% of American counties (10 inches a year), and the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 11% of American counties (0.4 per 1,000). Within New Mexico it ranks 3rd of 33 counties for winter sunshine.

Where you are

You live in Otero County, New Mexico. 67,850 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +170).

New Mexico taxes Social Security only above $100,000 of income for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers, exempts military retirement, and has a graduated income tax with a 5.9% top rate. Home prices are low outside Santa Fe, where they are among the highest in the Mountain West. The state's oil production in the Permian Basin funds a large share of the budget and a permanent fund.

Money

The typical household here brings in $50,833 a year, lower than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,017. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 72% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

New Mexico takes 3.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,980 a year.

Home

The median home costs $232K, cheaper than 51% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $753 a month. Property tax is 0.57% of home value, roughly $799 a year on that median home, lower than 80% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 55% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.6 years, shorter than 53% of American counties. There are 98 active physicians in the county, about 14.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 15.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.68 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 83% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 21 points. 49% of eligible voters turned out. Under New Mexico law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 74 and lows near 46, warmer than 68% of American counties. About 10 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 86 out of 100, riskier than 86% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 170 Mbps down, slower than 63% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 museums, 1 National Park Service site.