Lea County
Lea County, New Mexico
Lovington, NM 88260
Phone: (505) 396-8521
Fax: (505) 396-5684
www.leacounty.net
In the southeastern corner of NM, east of Roswell; organized Mar 7, 1917 from Chaves and Eddy counties. Name Origin: For Gen. Joseph C. Lea (?-1904), Confederate officer in the Civil War, "father of [the town of] Roswell," and founder of the New Mexico Military Institute there
Area (sq mi):: 4394.02 (land 4392.96; water 1.06) Population per square mile: 12.90
Population 2005: 56,719 State rank: 10 Population change: 2000-20005 2.20%; 1990-2000 -0.50% Population 2000: 55,511 (White 54.00%; Black or African American 4.40%; Hispanic or Latino 39.60%; Asian 0.40%; Other 28.10%). Foreign born: 11.30%. Median age: 33.10
Income 2000: per capita $14,184; median household $29,799; Population below poverty level: 21.10% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $19,993-$22,544
Unemployment (2004): 5.10% Unemployment change (from 2000): 1.90% Median travel time to work: 18.70 minutes Working outside county of residence: 6.40%
See other counties in New Mexico.