Lea County, NM

County

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    2024 Population
    73,733
    US Senator
    Martin Heinrich
    Democratic Party
    US Senator
    Ben Ray Luján
    Democratic Party
    2024 Poverty Rate
    18.7%
    0.203% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $68,015
    1.07% 1-year decline
    2024 Median Property Value
    $184,000
    4.55% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    31,081
    0.909% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Lea County, NM reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    85.7% of the residents in Lea County, NM are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Lea County, NM are New Mexico Junior College (386 degrees awarded in 2024) and University of the Southwest (298 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Lea County, NM was $184,000, and the homeownership rate was 71.2%.

    Most people in Lea County, NM drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Lea County, NM was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesNew MexicoHobbs, NM

    Population & Diversity

    Lea County, NM is home to a population of 73.7k people, from which 85.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 18.3% of Lea County, NM residents were born outside of the country (13.5k people).

    In 2024, there were 1.15 times more Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents (26.3k people) in Lea County, NM than any other race or ethnicity. There were 22.9k White (Non-Hispanic) and 10k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    85.7%
    2024 Citizenship
    86.2%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 85.7% of Lea County, NM residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Lea County, NM was 86.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lea County, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lea County, NM
    1. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      26.3k ± 1.98k
    2. White (Non-Hispanic)
      22.9k ± 183
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      10k ± 1.27k
    62.7%
    Hispanic Population
    46.3k people

    In 2024, there were 1.15 times more Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents (26.3k people) in Lea County, NM than any other race or ethnicity. There were 22.9k White (Non-Hispanic) and 10k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    62.7% of the people in Lea County, NM are hispanic (46.3k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Lea County, NM as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for New Mexico.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      126,568 ± 8,470 people
    2. Philippines
      6,950 ± 2,043 people
    3. Germany
      4,158 ± 1,582 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New Mexico was Mexico, the natal country of 126,568 New Mexico residents, followed by Philippines with 6,950 and Germany with 4,158.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    18.3%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    13.5k people
    17.9%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    13.1k people

    As of 2024, 18.3% of Lea County, NM residents (13.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lea County, NM was 17.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lea County, NM compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      588 ± 164
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      364 ± 153
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      342 ± 137

    Lea County, NM has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.62 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Lea County, NM.

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    Health

    85.1% of the population of Lea County, NM has health coverage, with 35.7% on employee plans, 32.2% on Medicaid, 8.18% on Medicare, 8.49% on non-group plans, and 0.536% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Lea County, NM see 3,318 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (3,318 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2898 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 767 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.1% were men and 48.9% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    3,318 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Lea County, NM

    Primary care physicians in Lea County, NM see an average of 3,318 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (3,318 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Lea County, NM in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 31.9% under 18 years, 22.6% between 18 and 34 years, 34.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.4% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.1% were men and 48.9% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    14.9%
    Uninsured
    35.7%
    Employer Coverage
    32.2%
    Medicaid
    8.18%
    Medicare
    8.49%
    Non-Group
    0.536%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lea County, NM grew by 3.78% from 14.3% to 14.9%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lea County, NM changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.38 in Lea County, NM.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lea County, NM.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.5% in Lea County, NM.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lea County, NM.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 13.3% in Lea County, NM.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lea County, NM.

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    Economy

    The economy of Lea County, NM employs 31.1k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Lea County, NM were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (4,387 people), Educational Services (3,464 people), and Construction (3,006 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($112,287), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($74,938), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($74,018).

    Employment

    Occupations

    31.1k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,707
    0.909%
    1 Year growth
    ± 7.67%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lea County, NM grew at a rate of 0.909%, from 30.8k employees to 31.1k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lea County, NM, are Construction & Extraction Occupations (3,923 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,347 people), and Management Occupations (3,218 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lea County, NM.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in New Mexico (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    31.1k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,707
    0.909%
    1 Year growth
    ± 7.67%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lea County, NM grew at a rate of 0.909%, from 30.8k employees to 31.1k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lea County, NM, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (4,387 people), Educational Services (3,464 people), and Construction (3,006 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lea County, NM, though some of these residents may live in Lea County, NM and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $54,357
    Median earning men ± $5,591
    $33,585
    Median earning women ± $2,709

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Manufacturing ($76,853), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($76,042), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,300).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($66,771), Wholesale Trade ($60,179), and Public Administration ($57,566).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.
    Y-Axis
    2.72%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 860k people employed in New Mexico. This represents a 2.72% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in New Mexico.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 124
      Transportation and Warehousing
    2. 91
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    3. 82
      Retail Trade

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $424k
      Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
    2. $150k
      Construction
    3. $149k
      Transportation and Warehousing

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in New Mexico went to Kamala Harris with 51.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (45.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.03%).

    Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are the senators currently representing the state of New Mexico. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    New Mexico is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Lea County, NM. Showing the available data for New Mexico.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Kamala Harris (51.9%)
      Democratic Party
    2. Donald J. Trump (45.9%)
      Republican Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.03%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in New Mexico went to Kamala Harris with 51.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (45.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.03%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in New Mexico for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from New Mexico

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for New Mexico.
    Martin Heinrich
    Senator from New Mexico1
    Assumed office on January 3, 2013
    Ben Ray Luján
    Senator from New Mexico2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2021

    Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are the senators currently representing New Mexico.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in New Mexico over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Lea County, NM awarded 684 degrees. The student population of Lea County, NM in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,148 male students and 2,217 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Lea County, NM are Hispanic or Latino (303 and 44.4%), White (258 and 37.8%), Black or African American (71 and 10.4%), and Unknown (22 and 3.23%).

    The largest universities in Lea County, NM by number of degrees awarded are New Mexico Junior College (386 and 56.4%) and University of the Southwest (298 and 43.6%).

    The most popular majors in Lea County, NM are General Studies (200 and 29.2%), Criminal Justice - Safety Studies (64 and 9.36%), and School Counseling & Guidance Services (46 and 6.73%).

    The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $16,470.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2019 in Lea County, NM, the percentage of applicants admitted was 45.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 69.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 3,365 (34.1% men and 65.9% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 3,365 students enrolled in Lea County, NM, 34.1% men and 65.9% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 1,723 records, of which 67% were women and 33% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. General Studies
      185 degrees awarded
    2. Registered Nursing
      27 degrees awarded
    3. Automobile Mechanics Technology
      10 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Lea County, NM was General Studies with 185 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Lea County, NM according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. New Mexico Junior College
      386 degrees awarded
    2. University of the Southwest
      298 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was New Mexico Junior College with 386 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 251 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lea County, NM, which is 0.58 times less than the 433 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 303 degrees mean that there were 1.17 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 258 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($16,470) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($480) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,680) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Lea County, NM was $184,000 in 2024, which is 0.553 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $176,000 to $184,000, a 4.55% increase. The homeownership rate in Lea County, NM is 71.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Lea County, NM have an average commute time of 24.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lea County, NM is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 14.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lea County, NM. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.283%.

    Housing

    Property

    $184,000
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$8,831
    $17,559
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$1,120

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lea County, NM the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lea County, NM compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    71.2%
    Homeownership
    2024
    68.2%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 71.2% of the housing units in Lea County, NM were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.5%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lea County, NM compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $68,015
    Median Household Income
    ± $5,605
    24.7k
    Number of Households
    ± 1,494

    In 2024, the median household income of the 24.7k households in Lea County, NM declined from $68,015 from the previous year's value of $68,750.

    The following chart displays the households in Lea County, NM distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Lea County, NM is from New Mexico.
    0.46
    2024 Wage GINI in New Mexico
    0.462
    2023 Wage GINI in New Mexico

    In 2024, the income inequality in New Mexico was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.506% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New Mexico was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in New Mexico in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in New Mexico across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (75.6%)
    2. Carpooled (18%)
    3. Worked At Home (3.68%)

    In 2024, 75.6% of workers in Lea County, NM drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (18%) and those who worked at home (3.68%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    24.4 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Lea County, NM have a shorter commute time (24.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 8.52% of the workforce in Lea County, NM have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Lea County, NM compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Lea County, NM distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lea County, NM have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 14.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lea County, NM. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.283%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    18.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lea County, NM (13.4k out of 71.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males < 5.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lea County, NM is Hispanic, followed by White and Two Or More.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 20% of the children was living in poverty in Lea County, NM. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.2%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 439 in Lea County, NM. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 31.8% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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