Adjacent counties

• Taos County - west
• Mora County - south
• Harding County - south
• Union County - east
• Las Animas County, Colorado - north
• Costilla County, Colorado - northwest

National protected areas

• Carson National Forest (part)
• Kiowa National Grassland (part)
• Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[13] there were 14,189 people, 5,821 households, and 3,975 families living in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 8,959 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.50% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 12.80% from other races, and 3.59% from two or more races. 47.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,821 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.70% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 26.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,744, and the median income for a family was $36,827. Males had a median income of $26,736 versus $19,644 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,418. About 12.00% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 13,750 people, 6,011 households, and 3,749 families living in the county.^[14] The population density was 3.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.4 inhabitants/km²). There were 10,023 housing units at an average density of 2.7 units per square mile (1.0 units/km²).^[15] The racial makeup of the county was 83.8% white, 1.5% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 10.3% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 47.2% of the population.^[14] In terms of ancestry, 14.1% were German, 9.7% were Irish, 9.3% were English, 6.1% were Italian, and 3.7% were American.^[16]

Of the 6,011 households, 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.6% were non-families, and 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age was 46.7 years.^[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,216 and the median income for a family was $48,450. Males had a median income of $35,849 versus $23,977 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,047. About 11.8% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.^[17]

City

• Raton (county seat)

Town

• Springer

Villages

• Angel Fire
• Cimarron
• Eagle Nest
• Maxwell

Census-designated place

• Ute Park

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

• Abbott