CEDSSummary Background People & Communities
Population Trends
Five counties share one regional economy, but their populations have changed in different ways. Explore where residents live and how each county has grown or declined.
- Population Scale
- Long-Term Change
- Local Service Needs
County Data Explorer
A Region in Motion
One Region
Start with the map to see where residents live across the five counties. Switch between the 2024 population estimate and percentage change since 2010; the comparison bars show each value on a shared scale. Lea had the largest estimated population in 2024 (75,151), while Lincoln had the smallest (20,025). Color identifies the county, and map area represents geography rather than population.
Compare the Five Counties
Sources and Map Notes
County boundaries are from the U.S. Census Bureau, January 1, 2024. This is a county comparison, not a map of neighborhoods, parcels, tribal jurisdiction, or hazard zones. County totals include residents of the Mescalero Apache Tribe within those boundaries.
U.S. Census Bureau: About County Boundaries ↗Reference Data
Population Counts by County
Use the exact values below to check the map and change chart. The table separates population size from the rate of change: a county can gain many residents while growing at a different pace than its neighbors.
| County | 2010 Census | 2020 Census | 2024 Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaves | 65,645 | 65,157 | 63,697 |
| Eddy | 53,829 | 62,314 | 61,436 |
| Lea | 64,727 | 74,455 | 75,151 |
| Lincoln | 20,497 | 20,269 | 20,025 |
| Otero | 63,797 | 67,839 | 69,711 |
The 2010 and 2020 figures are April 1 Census counts; the 2024 figures are July 1 estimates. County totals include residents within those boundaries. View the Census population estimates ↗