Lea County, New Mexico

Infobox U.S. County
county = Lea County
state = New Mexico




map size = 200
founded = March 17, 1917
seat = Lovington | largest city = Hobbs
area_total_sq_mi =4394
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.02%
census yr = 2000
pop = 55511
density_km2 =5
web = www.leacounty.net
|

Lea County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of 2000, the population was 55,511. Its county seat is LovingtonGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,394 square miles (11,380 km²), of which, 4,393 square miles (11,378 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.02%) is water.

Adjacent counties

* Roosevelt County, New Mexico - north
* Chaves County, New Mexico - west
* Eddy County, New Mexico - west
* Loving County, Texas - south
* Winkler County, Texas - southeast
* Andrews County, Texas - east
* Gaines County, Texas - east
* Yoakum County, Texas - east
* Cochran County, Texas - northeast

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 55,511 people, 19,699 households, and 14,715 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 23,405 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 67.13% White, 4.37% Black or African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 23.81% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. 39.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,699 households out of which 39.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.30% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county the population was spread out with 30.10% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,799, and the median income for a family was $34,665. Males had a median income of $32,005 versus $20,922 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,184. About 17.30% of families and 21.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.00% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

Presidential Voting

In the 2004 Presidential election, Lea County was the top New Mexico county, as far as percentage, for Republican George W. Bush. He beat John Kerry 79%-20%.

Localities

Cities

*Eunice
*Hobbs
*Jal
*Lovington

Town

*Tatum

Other localities

*Caprock
*Maljamar

References