Founded March 17, 1917 Congressional district 2nd Website www.leacounty.net County seat Lovington | Largest city Hobbs Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6 Area 11,380 km² Population 68,062 (2013) | |
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Cities Hobbs, Lovington, Eunice, Jal, Tatum, Monument, New Mexico Colleges and Universities New Mexico Junior College, University of the Southwest Rivers Baker Spring, Monument Springs Points of interest Chaparral Park, Western Heritage Museum, Harry McAdams Park, Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fa, Hobbs - NM Sign Landmark | ||
Lea County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,727. Its county seat is Lovington. It is both west and north of the Texas state line.
Contents
- Map of Lea County NM USA
- Geography
- 2000 census
- 2010 census
- Airports
- Politics
- Cities
- Town
- Census designated place
- Unincorporated communities
- Notable people
- References
Map of Lea County, NM, USA
Lea County comprises the Hobbs, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,394 square miles (11,380 km2), of which 4,391 square miles (11,370 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.07%) is water. Lea County is located in the southeast corner of New Mexico and borders Texas to the south and east.
2000 census
As of the census 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.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 64,727 people, 22,236 households, and 16,260 families residing in the county. The population density was 14.7 inhabitants per square mile (5.7/km2). There were 24,919 housing units at an average density of 5.7 per square mile (2.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.0% white, 4.1% black or African American, 1.2% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 16.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 51.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 9.3% were German, 7.6% were Irish, 7.2% were English, and 6.3% were American.
Of the 22,236 households, 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.9% were non-families, and 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.30. The median age was 31.9 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,910 and the median income for a family was $48,980. Males had a median income of $44,714 versus $25,847 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,637. About 15.2% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Airports
The following public-use airports are located in the county:
Politics
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%. In 2008, the Republican candidate John McCain beat Democratic candidate Barack Obama by a wide but slightly smaller margin, 72% to 27%.
Cities
Town
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Notable people
Lea County had produced several National Rodeo Champions, perhaps starting with Jake McClure starting back in 1930. Later, Troy Fort. More recent Champions are from the Cooper family, Jimmie and Roy. This family is from Monument, southwest of Hobbs. All of these men have been National Champions.
Several golfers have made it to the PGA and most famous is Kathy Whitworth, an LPGA Hall of Famer. The men Golfers include Ronnie Black, Sean Murphy and Chris Blocker. Ronnie and Sean were from Lovington, Chris from Hobbs and Kathy from Jal.
Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears football linebacker (2000-2012), represented Lea County in the National Football League.