1st Advantage MortgageIn Otero County, Colorado, the typical household earns $54,037 a year and the typical rent is $839. For a Otero County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Colorado license.
On this page
- Who lives in Otero County
- The Otero County job picture
- Income in Otero County compared with Colorado
- Otero County against other Colorado counties
- Where Otero County households live
- Otero County communities by population
- The counties around Otero County
- What a median Otero County budget can carry
- Otero County households compared
- Before borrowing in Otero County
- Lender oversight for Otero County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Otero County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Otero County
Roughly 18,321 residents live in Otero County, Colorado, 27th by population among the state's 64 counties and county equivalents. Otero County spans 1,262 square miles; with 18,321 people, that is 14.5 per square mile. Otero County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. La Junta is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 7,140 people (39% of the county total).
The Otero County job picture
Education and health care (35%), retail trade (9%) and public administration (9%) lead Otero County's job mix. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward education and health care (35% against 22%). Averaged over the five survey years, 6.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 55% of Otero County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 12% need 45 or more. No car: 7.6% of Otero County households.
| Industry | Share of Otero County workers | vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 34.7% | +12.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -1.2 pts |
| Public administration | 8.8% | +4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.5% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | -1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Otero County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Otero County compared with Colorado
The median household income in Otero County is $54,037; statewide it is $95,470, so Otero County runs 43% below Colorado as a whole.
| Band | Otero County | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.8% | +17.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +6.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -9.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.5% | -14.5 pts |
34% under $35,000 and 23% at $100,000 or more: that is the Otero County income split. Otero County counts about 4,048 residents below the poverty line, 22.1% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.424 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Otero County median.
Otero County against other Colorado counties
Where Otero County lands at the extremes of Colorado's county rankings:
- Otero County ranks 3rd highest of 64 Colorado counties for the poverty rate: 22.1%, against 9.4% statewide. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 18% in Otero County. Only 3 of 64 Colorado counties are lower. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- On households without a vehicle, Otero County sits near the top of Colorado at 7.6%, 4th highest of 64. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.
Where Otero County households live
Half of Otero County renters pay more than $839 a month and half pay less; the Colorado midpoint is $1,761. About 5 in 10 Otero County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,900, about 3.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 69% of homes. Against the median U.S. county, Otero County rent is 4% below.
| Cost | Otero County | Colorado figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $839/mo | $1,761/mo | 52% lower |
| Median home value | $168,900 | $539,400 | 69% lower |
| Owners | 69% | 66% | +2.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 53% | -6.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 30% | +2.3 pts |
| Mobile homes | 9.6% | 3.5% | +6.1 pts |
Otero County communities by population
8 Census places fall mainly inside Otero County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 13,509 residents, leaving about 26% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $11,660, La Junta over Rocky Ford. Rent is cheapest in La Junta ($642) and steepest in North La Junta ($1,139). La Junta and every other Otero County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Junta | city | 7,140 | $52,315 | $642 | 12 mi |
| Rocky Ford | city | 3,815 | $40,655 | $775 | 11 mi |
| Fowler | town | 936 | $44,048 | $761 | 24 mi |
| North La Junta | CDP | 535 | $47,941 | $1,139 | 13 mi |
| Swink | town | 422 | $44,219 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Manzanola | town | 361 | $36,010 | $774 | 17 mi |
| Cheraw | town | 188 | $52,857 | $1,021 | 19 mi |
| La Junta Gardens | CDP | 112 | $83,701 | n/a | 12 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
The counties around Otero County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Otero County's, from 29 to 69 miles away. Richest neighbor: Pueblo County, $64,010. Poorest: Crowley County, $48,826. Otero County: $54,037.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otero County | - | $54,037 | $839/mo | 69% |
| Crowley County, CO | 29 mi | $48,826 | $984/mo | 69% |
| Bent County, CO | 35 mi | $50,179 | $1,162/mo | 65% |
| Las Animas County, CO | 43 mi | $52,074 | $891/mo | 69% |
| Pueblo County, CO | 46 mi | $64,010 | $1,111/mo | 69% |
| Kiowa County, CO | 63 mi | $58,618 | $800/mo | 69% |
| Huerfano County, CO | 69 mi | $52,526 | $838/mo | 75% |
What a median Otero County budget can carry
DTI math using Otero County medians ($54,037 income, $839 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,503 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $839, takes 19% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $782 a month
- $1,097: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Homeowners in Otero County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Otero County households compared
In Otero County, 18% of adults have at least a four-year degree (46% in Colorado). Health coverage gaps: 6.6% of Otero County residents are uninsured.
| People and households | Otero County | Compared with Colorado | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.2% | -27.5 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Work from home | 6.1% | -14.9 pts | -2.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 22.1% | +12.7 pts | +8.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | +4.2 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 41.8 | +4.1 yrs | +0.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 7.6% | +2.4 pts | +2.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | +2.1 pts | +2.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | -1.1 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Commute length | Otero County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.5% |
Before borrowing in Otero County
Otero County-specific points to check:
- 22% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent at $839. With 46% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Lender oversight for Otero County
The Colorado Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Colorado license. The Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code handles consumer-credit questions as well. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Colorado guide.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Otero County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Otero County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Otero County
The Colorado guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Otero County?
$54,037 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $95,470 for Colorado. It ranks 52nd of 64 in the state.
What do renters pay in Otero County?
$839 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Otero County?
By population: La Junta, Rocky Ford, Fowler, North La Junta, Swink. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Will a Otero County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Colorado as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Otero County?
Look it up with the Colorado Division of Banking, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.