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Otero County, New Mexico

FIPS 35035

Juniper

Otero County is in the highest 15% nationally for FEMA risk score. It also sits in the highest 16% nationally for home price growth over the past year. And it sits in the lowest 25% nationally for median income.

Typical Home Valuemedian home value (ACS), re-priced to today on the FHFA index

$202,399

Lower than 60% of U.S. counties
Home Price Growth, Past Five Years

58%

Higher than 66% of U.S. counties
FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

84.7

Higher than 85% of U.S. counties

The boundary of Otero County.

The basics

Total Population

68,816

Median Age

36.4

Population Density

10.41

Home values & property tax

Median Property Tax

$902

Property Tax Rateyearly tax as a share of home value

0.55%

Cost of living & affordability

Home Price vs Incomeyears of income to buy a typical home

2.91×

Near the U.S. counties median
Median Income

$55,876

Lower than 75% of U.S. counties
Median Rent

$962

Higher than 65% of U.S. counties

Home prices & appreciation

Home Price Growth, Past Year

7.9%

Higher than 84% of U.S. counties
Pandemic Price Run-Up2019–20 low → 2022–23 peak

38%

2008 Crash: Peak-to-Trough Drophow far prices fell, 2007 → 2011

1.9%

Climate & weather

Summer Avg High (°F)

91.6

Winter Avg Low (°F)

31.7

Avg Temperature (°F)

61.4

Hot Days/yr (>90°F)

86.7

Freezing Days/yr (<32°F)

73.9

Annual Precipitation (in)

12.4

Annual Snowfall (in)

7.1

Flood & disaster risk

FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

84.7

Higher than 85% of U.S. counties

The full report

Six pillars — each with percentile benchmarks, 16-year trends, and per-metric detail.

  • People

  • Work & Money

  • Housing

  • Amenities

  • Climate

  • Environment & Risk

Otero County: frequently asked questions

What is the typical home value in Otero County?
The estimated median home value in Otero County today is $202,399, lower than 60% of U.S. counties.
How much is property tax in Otero County?
The median annual property tax in Otero County is $902, an effective rate of 0.55% of home value.
Is Otero County expensive to live in?
Homes in Otero County cost about 2.91× the median household income, near the U.S. counties median.
What is the average rent in Otero County?
The median gross rent in Otero County is $962 a month, higher than 65% of U.S. counties.
How much have home prices grown in Otero County?
Home prices in Otero County have moved 58% over the past five years (7.9% in the past year), per the FHFA House Price Index.
How many people live in Otero County?
Otero County has a population of 68,816, about 10.41 people per square mile, per the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The median age is 36.4.
What is the weather like in Otero County?
Otero County averages 61.4°F year-round, summer highs near 91.6°F, winter lows around 31.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It sees about 7.1 inches of snow a year.
Is Otero County at risk of flooding or natural disasters?
Otero County's FEMA National Risk Index score is 84.7 (higher than 85% of U.S. counties). Its greatest modeled natural hazard is inland flooding.

Sources: U.S. Census ACS, FEMA National Risk Index, FHFA House Price Index, OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), EPA. Explore the map →

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