Lea County Demographics

A map of Lea County's Population by Race

Lea County, New Mexico had a population of 74,455 in 2020. It was 31.9% White, 3.4% Black, 0.9% Asian, 60.7% Hispanic, 1.1% Native American/Other, and 2.1% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Lea County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Lea County is the 7th most populous county of the 33 counties in New Mexico.

Lea County's White Population

23,775 residents of Lea County identify as White, or 31.9%. This makes the White share of the population of Lea County roughly similar to the White share of the population of New Mexico (36.5% White). Of the 33 counties in New Mexico, Lea County is ranked #25 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Lea County is less White than neighboring Yoakum County (32.3% White), Gaines County (58.1% White), Andrews County (39.8% White), Eddy County (43.6% White), and Loving County (87.5% White).

Lea County's Black Population

2,497 residents of Lea County identify as Black, or 3.4%. This makes the Black share of the population of Lea County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of New Mexico (1.8% Black). Of the 33 counties in New Mexico, Lea County is ranked #3 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Lea County is more Black than neighboring Yoakum County (0.7% Black), Gaines County (1.1% Black), Andrews County (1% Black), Eddy County (1.3% Black), and Loving County (0% Black).

Lea County's Asian Population

636 residents of Lea County identify as Asian, or 0.9%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Lea County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of New Mexico (1.7% Asian). Of the 33 counties in New Mexico, Lea County is ranked #15 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Lea County is more Asian than neighboring Yoakum County (0.6% Asian), Gaines County (0.3% Asian), Andrews County (0.5% Asian), and Loving County (0% Asian).

Lea County's Hispanic Population

45,193 residents of Lea County identify as Hispanic, or 60.7%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Lea County larger than the Hispanic share of the population of New Mexico (47.7% Hispanic). Of the 33 counties in New Mexico, Lea County is ranked #7 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Lea County is more Hispanic than neighboring Gaines County (38.9% Hispanic), Andrews County (55.9% Hispanic), Eddy County (50.2% Hispanic), and Loving County (1.6% Hispanic). Lea County is less Hispanic than neighboring Yoakum County (64.6% Hispanic).

Lea County's Native American/Other Population

792 residents of Lea County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.1%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Lea County slightly less than the Native American/Other share of the population of New Mexico (9.5% Native American/Other). Of the 33 counties in New Mexico, Lea County is ranked #28 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Lea County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Yoakum County (0.5% Native American/Other), Gaines County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Andrews County (0.8% Native American/Other). Lea County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Eddy County (1.5% Native American/Other), and Loving County (3.1% Native American/Other).

Lea County's Multiracial Population

1,562 residents of Lea County identify as Multiracial, or 2.1%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Lea County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of New Mexico (2.8% Multiracial). Of the 33 counties in New Mexico, Lea County is ranked #23 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Lea County is more Multiracial than neighboring Yoakum County (1.3% Multiracial), Gaines County (1.1% Multiracial), and Andrews County (2% Multiracial). Lea County is less Multiracial than neighboring Eddy County (2.5% Multiracial), and Loving County (7.8% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.