Population 20,224 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lincoln County
Household size in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.34 | 2.71 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.33 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.58 | 2.71 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.03 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.31 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Lincoln County is a place of small households, averaging 2.03 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.34 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the center and smallest in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.5 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 49.6 | 38.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.7 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 51.1 | 40.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.6 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 51.1, Lincoln County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 48.5, mirroring the country. Lincoln County is older than at least four in five New Mexico counties.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 14.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 14.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 13.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.4% | 14.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in seven households in Lincoln County (13.4%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across New Mexico. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 3.0 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lincoln County
Renters in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.5% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.4% | 31.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 32.3% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.2% of households in Lincoln County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Just over six in ten owners (63.2%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the center. The renter share is up 0.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.8% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 46.2% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 53.2% | 15.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.3% | 11.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 40.3% of the housing in Lincoln County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 4.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1981 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1982 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Lincoln County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the west.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $704 | $777 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $726 | $866 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $714 | $943 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $933 | $1,188 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$229 | +$411 | +$606 |
The median renter in Lincoln County pays $933 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $229 a month since 2006–10, up 33%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 35.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lincoln County
Bachelor's degrees in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 25.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.7% | 25.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.9% | 26.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.2% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +5.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in Lincoln County (30.2%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.2 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the southeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.4% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.0% | 83.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.2% | 85.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.3% | 87.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +5.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Lincoln County is above the national rate: 93.3% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 6.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Lincoln County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five New Mexico counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 7.3% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 9.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 6.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in Lincoln County is the same as the national rate. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lincoln County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | 2.03 | 51.1 | 13.4% | 23.2% | 40.3% | 1986 | $933 | 30.2% | 93.3% | 5.4% |
| Chaves County | 2.71 | 37.9 | 16.5% | 28.7% | 12.7% | 1972 | $990 | 18.8% | 80.9% | 5.1% |
| Hockley County | 2.66 | 35.3 | 14.1% | 27.8% | 14.1% | 1978 | $836 | 18.6% | 80.7% | 4.4% |
| Lubbock County | 2.52 | 34.0 | 12.4% | 44.5% | 9.3% | 1987 | $1,247 | 34.1% | 85.8% | 5.3% |
| Dickens County | 2.35 | 46.2 | 8.3% | 20.5% | 36.4% | 1963 | $753 | 18.0% | 84.7% | 9.6% |
| Knox County | 2.66 | 39.7 | 8.8% | 22.6% | 30.6% | 1967 | $509 | 13.8% | 85.3% | 1.4% |
| Baylor County | 2.28 | 47.1 | 13.4% | 33.8% | 29.7% | 1969 | $550 | 26.9% | 85.6% | 4.9% |
| Maricopa County | 2.78 | 38.9 | 12.9% | 34.8% | 8.2% | 1993 | $1,949 | 36.3% | 89.5% | 4.7% |
| Fannin County | 2.74 | 41.8 | 13.0% | 21.3% | 14.6% | 1985 | $1,064 | 20.7% | 88.2% | 5.1% |
| Delta County | 2.55 | 39.7 | 10.1% | 17.2% | 11.3% | 1977 | $1,074 | 14.7% | 89.2% | 4.5% |
| Red River County | 2.30 | 47.4 | 17.6% | 28.5% | 19.8% | 1983 | $1,122 | 15.9% | 86.8% | 2.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Fremont County, ID · Sevier County, UT · Giles County, VA · Gilchrist County, FL · George County, MS · Gem County, ID · Garvin County, OK · Garrard County, KY · Gallia County, OH · Gaines County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lincoln County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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