Editing Lea County, New Mexico

{{Short description|County in New Mexico, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Lea County
 | state                = New Mexico
 | founded year         = 1917
 | founded date         = March 17

 | seat wl              = Lovington
 | largest city wl      = Hobbs
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 4394
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 4391
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 3.3
 | area percentage      = 0.07%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 74455
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = www.leacounty.net
 | ex image             = Lea County New Mexico Court House.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Lea County Courthouse]] in Lovington
 | flag                 = Flag of Lea County, New Mexico.svg
 | district             = 2nd
 | time zone            = Mountain
}}

'''Lea County''' ({{IPAc-en|l|iː}}, {{Respell|LEE}}) is a [[List of counties in New Mexico|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Mexico]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 74,455.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lea County, New Mexico|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Lea_County,_New_Mexico?g=050XX00US35025|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref>

Its [[county seat]] is [[Lovington, New Mexico|Lovington]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> It is both west and north of the [[Texas]] state line. Lea County comprises the Hobbs, NM [[micropolitan statistical area]].

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|4394|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|4391|sqmi|abbr=on}} are land and {{convert|3.3|sqmi|abbr=on}} (0.07%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195546/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_35.txt|archive-date=January 1, 2015}}</ref> Lea County is located in the southeast corner of New Mexico and borders Texas to the south and east.

The [[Permian Basin (North America)|Permian Basin]], {{convert|250|mi|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|350|mi|abbr=on}} long, underlies Lea County and adjacent Eddy County, as well as a large portion of West Texas. It produces 500,000 barrels of crude a day, and this number was expected to double in 2019. The shale in this basin lies {{convert|3,000|-|15,000|ft|abbr=on}} below the surface, below a salt bed and a groundwater aquifer.<ref name=ind>{{cite news|publisher=Gallup Independent |date=December 29, 2018| agency=Searchlight New Mexico |title=Oil: Black gold or prime polluter?: Oil leases bring jobs, strains, to southeast New Mexico |author=John L. Smith | page=1 }}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Roosevelt County, New Mexico|Roosevelt County]] – north
* [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves County]] – northwest
* [[Eddy County, New Mexico|Eddy County]] – 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
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 3545
|1930= 6144
|1940= 21154
|1950= 30717
|1960= 53429
|1970= 49554
|1980= 55993
|1990= 55765
|2000= 55511
|2010= 64727
|2020= 74455
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 2, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nm190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35025.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 29, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606230042/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35/35025.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>  55,511 people, 19,699 households, and 14,715 families were living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. The 23,405 housing units averaged {{convert|5|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 67.13% White, 4.37% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 23.85% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. About 39.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 19,699 households, 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 not families. About 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 age distribution was 30.10% under 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 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 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|2010 census]], 64,727&nbsp;people, 22,236&nbsp;households, and 16,260&nbsp;families were living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35025
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020238/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US35025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|14.7|PD/sqmi}}. The 24,919 housing units averaged {{convert|5.7|/sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35025
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192205/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US35025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 75.0% White, 4.1%  African American, 1.2% Native American, 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.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 9.3% were [[Germans|German]], 7.6% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 7.2% were [[English people|English]], and 6.3% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35025
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024301/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US35025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 22,236&nbsp;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 not 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.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $43,910 and 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.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35025
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 24, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023902/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US35025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Transportation==

===Airports===
These public-use airports are located in the county:<ref>[http://www.tollfreeairline.com/newmexico/lea.htm Public and Private Airports, Lea County, New Mexico]</ref>
* [[Lea County Regional Airport]] (HOB) – Hobbs
* [[Lea County-Jal Airport]] (E26) – Jal
* [[Lea County-Zip Franklin Memorial Airport]] (E06) – Lovington
* [[Tatum Airport]] (18T) – Tatum

==Politics==
Lea County, like most of the High Plains, eastern New Mexico and west-central Texas, is heavily Republican. It has repeatedly claimed the status of the most Republican county in New Mexico in Presidential elections. 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%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/county/#val=NMP00p2|title=County Results – Election Center 2008 – Elections & Politics from CNN.com|website=www.cnn.com|language=en|access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref> In 2024, [[Donald Trump]] won over 80% of the county's vote, while [[Kamala Harris]] only received 18.5%, the worst showing for a Democrat in the county's history. It was Trump's strongest county in New Mexico in the 2024 election. No Democrat has received more than 30% of the county's vote since Bill Clinton in 1996.

However, Lea County was a Democratic stronghold prior to 1968, voting Republican only once in Herbert Hoover's 1928 landslide.

{{PresHead|place=Lea County, New Mexico|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,997|3,930|282|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|16,531|4,061|326|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|12,495|3,930|1,287|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|12,548|4,080|387|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|13,347|5,108|190|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|14,430|3,646|105|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|10,157|3,855|244|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|7,661|5,393|1,612|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|7,921|5,047|3,343|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|11,309|5,879|115|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|14,569|4,558|230|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|10,727|5,006|452|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|8,773|6,533|135|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|12,478|3,429|424|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|7,415|4,751|3,216|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|7,033|8,862|53|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|7,548|7,806|120|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|5,661|6,140|78|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|4,738|5,204|29|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,273|4,708|44|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,227|2,938|3|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,286|4,295|11|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|549|3,905|37|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|271|2,371|114|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|537|474|3|New Mexico}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|138|552|46|New Mexico}}
{{PresFoot|1920|Democratic|255|733|23|New Mexico}}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Eunice, New Mexico|Eunice]]
* [[Hobbs, New Mexico|Hobbs]]
* [[Jal, New Mexico|Jal]]
* [[Lovington, New Mexico|Lovington]] (County Seat)

===Town===
* [[Tatum, New Mexico|Tatum]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Monument, New Mexico|Monument]]
* [[Nadine, New Mexico|Nadine]]
* [[North Hobbs, New Mexico|North Hobbs]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
* [[Bennett, New Mexico|Bennett]]
*[[Caprock, New Mexico|Caprock]]
* [[Crossroads, New Mexico|Crossroads]]
* [[Knowles, New Mexico|Knowles]]
* [[Maljamar, New Mexico|Maljamar]]
* [[McDonald, New Mexico|McDonald]]

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35025_lea/DC20SD_C35025.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730224421/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35025_lea/DC20SD_C35025.pdf |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lea County, NM|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 14, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35025_lea/DC20SD_C35025_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Eunice Municipal Schools]]
* [[Hobbs Municipal Schools]]
* [[Jal Public Schools]]
* [[Lovington Public Schools]]
* [[Tatum Municipal Schools]]

==Notable people==
* [[Roy Cooper (rodeo)|Roy Cooper]]. Rodeo cowboy
* [[Kathy Whitworth]], professional golfer
* [[Brian Urlacher]], [[Chicago Bears]] football linebacker (2000–2012)

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Lea County, New Mexico]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Lea County, New Mexico
|North     = [[Roosevelt County, New Mexico|Roosevelt County]]
|Northeast = [[Cochran County, Texas]]
|East      = [[Andrews County, Texas]]; [[Gaines County, Texas]]; and [[Yoakum County, Texas]]
|Southeast = [[Winkler County, Texas]]
|South     = [[Loving County, Texas]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Chaves County, New Mexico|Chaves County]] and [[Eddy County, New Mexico|Eddy County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Lea County, New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico}}

{{authority control}}

{{coord|32.80|-103.42|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NM_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Lea County, New Mexico| ]]
[[Category:1917 establishments in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1917]]