CEDSSummary Background People & Communities
Poverty and Economic Opportunity
The age and county comparisons reveal different patterns of hardship—and different questions for local action.
- Children & Families
- Older Adults
- Access to Opportunity
Poverty by Age
The first chart compares the reported share of children under 18 and adults age 65 or older living below the poverty threshold in each county. Each percentage is calculated within its own age group. Select Children or Older Adults, then compare counties on the same scale. These are rates, not counts of residents, and the two age-group percentages should not be added together.
For children, the reported range runs from 13% in Eddy County to 38% in Otero County; Chaves is 30%, Lincoln 28%, and Lea 22%. Among older adults, the range runs from 7% in Lincoln to 26% in Lea. The age pattern can differ sharply within one county, so an all-age rate alone cannot show which residents may need closer attention.
Compare the Evidence
Poverty Across Generations
Choose a measure and comparison order to explore the values. Bars start at zero; values remain visible beside every bar.
Youth Under 18 · A consistent zero-based scale makes the differences visible.
Reference year not specified. These reported age-group shares are historical context, not current estimates. The child and older-adult groups have separate denominators; values are rounded.
View All Values in a Table
| Area / Organization | Youth Under 18 | Adults Age 65+ |
|---|---|---|
| Otero | 38% | 12% |
| Chaves | 30% | 17% |
| Lincoln | 28% | 7% |
| Lea | 22% | 26% |
| Eddy | 13% | 14% |
Children in Otero
Otero has the highest reported child poverty share. The chart identifies a priority for closer review of family income, childcare, housing, and access to work; it does not establish which factor caused the rate.
Older Adults in Lea
Lea has the highest reported older-adult share, while its child share is 22%. Different ages within the same county can face different conditions and need different forms of support.
Eddy's Age Groups
Eddy reports the lowest child share and a 14% older-adult share. Lower rates than neighboring counties still represent residents whose needs should be understood locally.
Poverty Across All Ages
This chart shows the reported share of all residents below the poverty threshold in each county. Its denominator is the county's full population, unlike the child and older-adult chart above. Chaves is highest at 22.3%, followed by Otero at 20.8%, Lea at 18%, Lincoln at 16%, and Eddy at 12.5%. Compare counties here, then return to the age chart to see how an overall number can mask different patterns.
A poverty rate does not tell us how many residents are affected, whether a rate is rising or falling, or why counties differ. The U.S. figure has no confirmed matching reference period, so this chart does not use it as a comparison line. Updated, consistently dated data are needed before setting a current baseline.
Compare the Evidence
County Poverty Rates in Context
Choose a measure and comparison order to explore the values. Bars start at zero; values remain visible beside every bar.
All Ages · A consistent zero-based scale makes the differences visible.
Reference year not specified. These reported all-age rates are historical context, not current estimates. The U.S. comparison lacks a confirmed matching period and is not used as a benchmark here.
View All Values in a Table
| Area / Organization | All Ages |
|---|---|
| Chaves | 22.3% |
| Otero | 20.8% |
| Lea | 18% |
| Lincoln | 16% |
| Eddy | 12.5% |
Key Insights
The reported pattern points to distinct questions for families, older residents, and local partners. These are planning signals from a historical profile, not a diagnosis of what causes poverty.
Support Children and Families
Child poverty is highest in Otero, Chaves, and Lincoln in the reported profile. Pair updated rates with evidence on family earnings, childcare, housing, and transportation before designing local responses.
Plan for Older Adults
Lea's reported older-adult rate is 26%, compared with 7% in Lincoln. Review retirement income, housing, healthcare access, and support services directly rather than assuming one regional aging pattern.
Respond to Local Conditions
Countywide rates differ, and age-group patterns differ within counties. Local partners can use both views to focus outreach and projects where evidence and community input show a need.
Update the Evidence
These figures have no stated reference year. Establish a dated baseline with consistent definitions, then track whether poverty rates and access to opportunity are changing over time.