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Coordinates: 37°54′N 103°43′W / 37.90°N 103.71°W / 37.90; -103.71
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{{short description|County in Colorado, United States}}
{{distinguish|Otero County, New Mexico}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Otero County
| county = Otero County
| state = Colorado
| state = Colorado
| seal =
| seal =
| founded year = 1889
| founded year = 1889
| founded date = March 25
| founded date = March 25
| seat wl = La Junta
| seat wl = La Junta
| largest city wl = La Junta
| largest city wl = La Junta
| area_total_sq_mi = 1270
| area_total_sq_mi = 1270
| area_land_sq_mi = 1262
| area_land_sq_mi = 1262
| area_water_sq_mi = 7.7
| area_water_sq_mi = 7.7
| area percentage = 0.6%
| area percentage = 0.6%
| census estimate yr = 2018
| census yr = 2020
| pop = 18432
| pop = 18690
| density_sq_mi = 15
| density_sq_mi = 15
| time zone = Mountain
| time zone = Mountain
| ex image = Otero County, CO, Courthouse IMG_5683.JPG
| ex image = Otero County Courthouse (Colorado).JPG
| ex image size = 250
| ex image size = 250
| ex image cap = Otero County Courthouse in La Junta, Colorado
| ex image cap = Otero County Courthouse in La Junta
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| web = https://oterocounty.colorado.gov
| web = www.oterogov.com/
| named for = [[Miguel Antonio Otero (I)|Miguel Antonio Otero]]
| named for = [[Miguel Antonio Otero (I)|Miguel Antonio Otero]]
| district = 4th
| district = 3rd
}}
}}


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[[Image:Cattle Feedlot near Rocky Ford, CO IMG 5651.JPG|200px|right|thumb|[[Cattle]] feedlot in Otero County west of [[Rocky Ford, Colorado|Rocky Ford]]]]
[[Image:Cattle Feedlot near Rocky Ford, CO IMG 5651.JPG|200px|right|thumb|[[Cattle]] feedlot in Otero County west of [[Rocky Ford, Colorado|Rocky Ford]]]]


'''Otero County''' is one of the [[Colorado counties|64 counties]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Colorado]]. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the population was 18,831.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08/08089.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=February 11, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606233937/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08/08089.html|archivedate=June 6, 2011}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|accessdate=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was named for [[Miguel Antonio Otero (I)|Miguel Antonio Otero]], one of the founders of the town of [[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]] and a member of a prominent [[Hispanic]] family.
'''Otero County''' is a county located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Colorado]]. As of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]], the population was 18,690.<ref name="2020Census">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/oterocountycolorado/PST045219|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 5, 2021}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]].<ref name="GR6">{{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}}</ref> The county was named for [[Miguel Antonio Otero (I)|Miguel Antonio Otero]], one of the founders of the town of [[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]] and a member of a prominent [[Hispanic]] family.


==Geography==
==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1270|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1262|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.7|sqmi}} (0.6%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1270|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1262|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.7|sqmi}} (0.6%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>


===Adjacent counties===
===Adjacent counties===
Line 39: Line 42:
*[[Las Animas County, Colorado|Las Animas County]] - south
*[[Las Animas County, Colorado|Las Animas County]] - south
*[[Pueblo County, Colorado|Pueblo County]] - west
*[[Pueblo County, Colorado|Pueblo County]] - west

===Major highways===
* [[File:US 50.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 50 (Colorado)|U.S. Highway 50]]
* [[File:US 350.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 350 (Colorado)|U.S. Highway 350]]
* [[File:Colorado 10.svg|20px]] [[Colorado State Highway 10|State Highway 10]]
* [[File:Colorado 71.svg|20px]] [[Colorado State Highway 71|State Highway 71]]
* [[File:Colorado 109.svg|20px]] [[Colorado State Highway 109|State Highway 109]]
* [[File:Colorado 167.svg|20px]] [[Colorado State Highway 167|State Highway 167]]
* [[File:Colorado 207.svg|20px]] [[Colorado State Highway 207|State Highway 207]]
* [[File:Colorado 266.svg|20px]] [[Colorado State Highway 266|State Highway 266]]


===National protected areas===
===National protected areas===
Line 64: Line 77:
|2000= 20311
|2000= 20311
|2010= 18831
|2010= 18831
|2020= 18690
|estyear=2018
|estyear=2023
|estimate=18432
|estimate=18136
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 31, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 10, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|accessdate=June 10, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/co190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 10, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 10, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2015<ref name="QF" />
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/co190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{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=June 10, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="2020Census" />
}}
}}


As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-05-14|title=American FactFinder}}</ref> of 2000, there were 20,311 people, 7,920 households, and 5,472 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 16 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 8,813 housing units at an average density of 7 per square&nbsp;mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.02% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.76% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.43% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 15.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.96% from two or more races. 37.62% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 20,311 people, 7,920 households, and 5,472 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|16|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 8,813 housing units at an average density of {{convert|7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the county was 79.02% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 1.43% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 15.06% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. 37.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
Of the 7,920 households 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 12.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.


The age distribution was 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
There were 7,920 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.


The median household income was $29,738 and the median family income was $35,906. Males had a median income of $26,996 versus $21,001 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,113. About 14.20% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,738, and the median income for a family was $35,906. Males had a median income of $26,996 versus $21,001 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $15,113. About 14.20% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.


==Politics==
==Politics==
Otero is a strongly Republican county, although less so than the counties of the Colorado High Plains. It was last won for the Democratic Party by [[Bill Clinton]] in 1996. Before that, Otero tended to be a Republican-leaning county at the Presidential level, although it did vote for Wilson twice, FDR in 1932 and 1936, Truman in 1948 and Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
Otero is a strongly Republican county, although less so than the counties of the Colorado High Plains. It was last won for the Democratic Party by [[Bill Clinton]] in 1996. Before that, Otero tended to be a Republican-leaning county at the Presidential level, although it did vote for Wilson twice, FDR in 1932 and 1936, Truman in 1948 and Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
{{PresHead|place=Otero County, Colorado|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 26, 2017}}</ref>}}
{{Hidden begin
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|5,756|3,605|215|Colorado}}
|title = Presidential elections results
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,928|2,943|581|Colorado}}
}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,382|3,647|163|Colorado}}
{| class="wikitable" class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:95%;"
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,393|3,547|125|Colorado}}
|+ '''Otero County vote<br /> by party in presidential elections'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref>
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,947|3,164|69|Colorado}}
|-
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,082|2,963|267|Colorado}}
! Year
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,356|3,386|695|Colorado}}
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,120|3,485|1,708|Colorado}}
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,265|3,910|124|Colorado}}
! Others
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,373|3,005|237|Colorado}}
|-
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,801|3,294|706|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 2016|2016]]'''
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,597|4,118|205|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.3%''' ''4,928''
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,016|2,929|205|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.8% ''2,943''
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,690|3,891|864|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.9% ''581''
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,605|5,999|32|Colorado}}
|-
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|6,015|4,199|15|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 2012|2012]]'''
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|5,964|3,722|7|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.5%''' ''4,382''
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|6,552|3,721|34|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.5% ''3,647''
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|4,311|8,640|81|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.0% ''163''
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|5,002|3,791|23|Colorado}}
|-
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|5,459|4,567|62|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 2008|2008]]'''
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,859|5,775|138|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.5%''' ''4,393''
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,974|5,107|206|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.0% ''3,547''
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,788|1,876|66|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.6% ''125''
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,694|1,938|1,298|Colorado}}
|-
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,846|2,727|303|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 2004|2004]]'''
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,678|3,963|283|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.5%''' ''4,947''
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,293|2,885|1,986|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.7% ''3,164''
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|3,232|3,542|494|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.8% ''69''
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,975|2,225|311|Colorado}}
|-
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,913|2,266|196|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 2000|2000]]'''
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|524|2,167|48|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.8%''' ''4,082''
{{PresFoot|1892|Populist|324|0|1,453|Colorado}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.5% ''2,963''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.7% ''267''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1996|1996]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.1% ''3,356''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''45.5%''' ''3,386''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.3% ''695''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1992|1992]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.5% ''3,120''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''41.9%''' ''3,485''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|20.6% ''1,708''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1988|1988]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.4%''' ''4,265''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|47.1% ''3,910''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.5% ''124''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1984|1984]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.4%''' ''5,373''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.9% ''3,005''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.8% ''237''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1980|1980]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.6%''' ''4,801''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.4% ''3,294''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|8.0% ''706''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1976|1976]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.5%''' ''4,597''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|46.2% ''4,118''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.3% ''205''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1972|1972]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''65.8%''' ''6,016''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|32.0% ''2,929''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.2% ''205''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1968|1968]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.7%''' ''4,690''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.2% ''3,891''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.1% ''864''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1964|1964]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.4% ''3,605''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.3%''' ''5,999''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''32''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1960|1960]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.8%''' ''6,015''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.1% ''4,199''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.2% ''15''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in Colorado, 1956|1956]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.5%''' ''5,964''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.4% ''3,722''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.1% ''7''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1952 United States presidential election|1952]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''63.6%''' ''6,552''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.1% ''3,721''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''34''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1948 United States presidential election|1948]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.1% ''4,311''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''66.3%''' ''8,640''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.6% ''81''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1944 United States presidential election|1944]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''56.7%''' ''5,002''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.0% ''3,791''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''23''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1940 United States presidential election|1940]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.1%''' ''5,459''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.3% ''4,567''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.6% ''62''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1936 United States presidential election|1936]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|39.5% ''3,859''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''59.1%''' ''5,775''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.4% ''138''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1932 United States presidential election|1932]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.8% ''3,974''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.0%''' ''5,107''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.2% ''206''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1928 United States presidential election|1928]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''74.9%''' ''5,788''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.3% ''1,876''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.9% ''66''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1924 United States presidential election|1924]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.2%''' ''4,694''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.4% ''1,938''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|16.4% ''1,298''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1920 United States presidential election|1920]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.9%''' ''3,846''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|39.7% ''2,727''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|4.4% ''303''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1916 United States presidential election|1916]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.7% ''2,678''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''57.2%''' ''3,963''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|4.1% ''283''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1912 United States presidential election|1912]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|21.0% ''1,293''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''46.8%''' ''2,885''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|32.2% ''1,986''
|}
{{Hidden end}}


==Communities==
==Communities==
===City===
===Cities===
*[[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]]
*[[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]]
*[[Rocky Ford, Colorado|Rocky Ford]]
*[[Rocky Ford, Colorado|Rocky Ford]]
Line 244: Line 144:
*[[La Junta Gardens, Colorado|La Junta Gardens]]
*[[La Junta Gardens, Colorado|La Junta Gardens]]
*[[North La Junta, Colorado|North La Junta]]
*[[North La Junta, Colorado|North La Junta]]
{{clear}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|Geography|North America|<!--Northern America-->|United States|Colorado}}
{{portal|Government|History|United States|Colorado}}
*[[Bibliography of Colorado]]
*[[Geography of Colorado]]
*[[History of Colorado]]
**[[G.W. Swink]], pioneer county commissioner
**[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Otero County, Colorado]]
*[[Index of Colorado-related articles]]
*[[Index of Colorado-related articles]]
*[[List of Colorado-related lists]]
*[[G.W. Swink]], pioneer county commissioner
*[[List of counties in Colorado]]
**[[List of counties in Colorado]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Otero County, Colorado]]
*[[Outline of Colorado]]
*[[Outline of Colorado]]
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.oterogov.com/ Otero County Homepage]
*[https://oterocounty.colorado.gov/ Otero County Homepage]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070625075048/http://www.ccionline.org/counties/otero.html Otero County Government]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070205102713/http://www.stanwyck.com/cogenweb/cocounties.html Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070205102713/http://www.stanwyck.com/cogenweb/cocounties.html Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck]
*[http://www.coloradohistory.org/ Colorado Historical Society]


{{Geographic Location
{{Geographic Location
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{{Otero County, Colorado}}
{{Otero County, Colorado}}
{{Colorado}}
{{Colorado}}
{{authority control}}

{{coord|37.90|-103.71|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-CO_source:UScensus1990}}
{{coord|37.90|-103.71|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-CO_source:UScensus1990}}


[[Category:Otero County, Colorado| ]]
[[Category:Colorado counties]]
[[Category:Colorado counties]]
[[Category:Otero County, Colorado| ]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Colorado]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Colorado]]
[[Category:Eastern Plains]]
[[Category:Eastern Plains]]

Latest revision as of 04:18, 10 June 2024

Not to be confused with Otero County, New Mexico.

Otero County
County
Otero County Courthouse in La Junta
Otero County Courthouse in La Junta
Map of Colorado highlighting Otero County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Map of the United States highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°54′N 103°43′W / 37.9°N 103.71°W / 37.9; -103.71
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedMarch 25, 1889
Named forMiguel Antonio Otero
SeatLa Junta
Largest cityLa Junta
Area
 • Total1,270 sq mi (3,300 km2)
 • Land1,262 sq mi (3,270 km2)
 • Water7.7 sq mi (20 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,690
 • Density15/sq mi (6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websiteoterocounty.colorado.gov
Otero Museum and Fine Arts League in La Junta
Cattle feedlot in Otero County west of Rocky Ford

Otero County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,690.[1] The county seat is La Junta.[2] The county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family.

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,270 square miles (3,300 km2), of which 1,262 square miles (3,270 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (0.6%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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Trails and byways

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Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18904,192—
190011,522174.9%
191020,20175.3%
192022,62312.0%
193024,3907.8%
194023,571−3.4%
195025,2757.2%
196024,128−4.5%
197023,523−2.5%
198022,567−4.1%
199020,185−10.6%
200020,3110.6%
201018,831−7.3%
202018,690−0.7%
2023 (est.)18,136[4]−3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]

At the 2000 census there were 20,311 people, 7,920 households, and 5,472 families living in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). There were 8,813 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.02% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 1.43% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 15.06% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. 37.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[9] Of the 7,920 households 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 12.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median household income was $29,738 and the median family income was $35,906. Males had a median income of $26,996 versus $21,001 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,113. About 14.20% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

[edit]

Otero is a strongly Republican county, although less so than the counties of the Colorado High Plains. It was last won for the Democratic Party by Bill Clinton in 1996. Before that, Otero tended to be a Republican-leaning county at the Presidential level, although it did vote for Wilson twice, FDR in 1932 and 1936, Truman in 1948 and Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

United States presidential election results for Otero County, Colorado[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,756 60.11% 3,605 37.65% 215 2.25%
2016 4,928 58.31% 2,943 34.82% 581 6.87%
2012 4,382 53.49% 3,647 44.52% 163 1.99%
2008 4,393 54.47% 3,547 43.98% 125 1.55%
2004 4,947 60.48% 3,164 38.68% 69 0.84%
2000 4,082 55.83% 2,963 40.52% 267 3.65%
1996 3,356 45.13% 3,386 45.53% 695 9.35%
1992 3,120 37.53% 3,485 41.92% 1,708 20.55%
1988 4,265 51.39% 3,910 47.11% 124 1.49%
1984 5,373 62.37% 3,005 34.88% 237 2.75%
1980 4,801 54.55% 3,294 37.43% 706 8.02%
1976 4,597 51.54% 4,118 46.17% 205 2.30%
1972 6,016 65.75% 2,929 32.01% 205 2.24%
1968 4,690 49.66% 3,891 41.20% 864 9.15%
1964 3,605 37.41% 5,999 62.26% 32 0.33%
1960 6,015 58.80% 4,199 41.05% 15 0.15%
1956 5,964 61.53% 3,722 38.40% 7 0.07%
1952 6,552 63.57% 3,721 36.10% 34 0.33%
1948 4,311 33.08% 8,640 66.30% 81 0.62%
1944 5,002 56.74% 3,791 43.00% 23 0.26%
1940 5,459 54.11% 4,567 45.27% 62 0.61%
1936 3,859 39.49% 5,775 59.10% 138 1.41%
1932 3,974 42.79% 5,107 54.99% 206 2.22%
1928 5,788 74.88% 1,876 24.27% 66 0.85%
1924 4,694 59.19% 1,938 24.44% 1,298 16.37%
1920 3,846 55.93% 2,727 39.66% 303 4.41%
1916 2,678 38.68% 3,963 57.24% 283 4.09%
1912 1,293 20.98% 2,885 46.80% 1,986 32.22%
1908 3,232 44.47% 3,542 48.73% 494 6.80%
1904 2,975 53.98% 2,225 40.37% 311 5.64%
1900 1,913 43.73% 2,266 51.79% 196 4.48%
1896 524 19.13% 2,167 79.12% 48 1.75%
1892 324 18.23% 0 0.00% 1,453 81.77%

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

[edit]

Census-designated places

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
[edit]

37°54′N 103°43′W / 37.90°N 103.71°W / 37.90; -103.71

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