All incomes in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars using R-CPI-U-RS. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Gender
In Lea County, the population consists of 37,551 males (51.62%) and 35,192 females (48.38%). Here are the primary highlights from the gender-based income distribution analysis:
- In Lea County, the median income for all workers aged 15 years and older, regardless of work hours, was $39,090 for males and $24,149 for females.
- However, when specifically considering full-time, year-round workers within the same age group, the median income was $62,763 for males and $33,736 for females.
- In Lea County, the median income for all workers aged 15 years and older, regardless of work hours, was $39,090 for males and $24,149 for females.
- In Lea County, among full-time, year-round workers aged 15 years and older, males earned a median income of $62,763, while females earned $33,736, leading to a 46% gender pay gap among full-time workers. This illustrates that women earn 54 cents for each dollar earned by men in full-time roles. This level of income gap emphasizes the urgency to address and rectify this ongoing disparity, where women, despite working full-time, face a more significant wage discrepancy compared to men in the same employment roles.

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Race
In Lea County, the population is predominantly White, constituting 71.46% of the total residents. Here are the key highlights from the analysis of income distribution by race:
- The median household income for White households is $71,892.
- In Lea County, White is both the largest group and the one with the highest median household income, which stands at $71,892.
- In Lea County, the median household income for the households where the householder is White increased by $1,986(2.84%), between 2012 and 2022. The median household income, in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars, was $69,906 in 2012 and $71,892 in 2022.
- In Lea County, the median household income for the households where the householder is Black or African American increased by $61,690(1927.21%), between 2012 and 2022. The median household income, in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars, was $3,201 in 2012 and $64,891 in 2022.

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Year by year
Lea County, NM median household income trends by year, family type and household size (2010-2021):
- From 2010 to 2021, the median household income for Lea County increased by $8,114 (13.70%), as per the American Community Survey estimates.
- Between 2010 and 2021, median household income, adjusted for 2022 inflation, experienced growth year by year for 6 years and declined for 5 years.
- The most significant year-by-year growth occured from 2013 to 2014, when the median household income increased by 4,603 (from $63,960 to $68,563). Similarly the most substantial year-by-year decline occured from 2020 to 2021, when the median household income decreased by 2,743 (from $70,104 to $67,361).
- It then further increased to $54,211 for 7-person households, the largest household size for which the bureau reported a median household income.
- With a Gini coefficient of 0.4565, it is evident that income distribution in Lea County, NM exihibits characterstics of moderate inequality .
- For the family households, the median income (in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars) was $69,523. For the non-family households, the median income (in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars) was $41,594.

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References
- U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates
- Consumer Price Index retroactive series using current methods (R-CPI-U-RS)