Population74,749 (2025 est.)
A Plains County With Changing Industries
Lea County, New MexicoLovington anchors Lea County on the Llano Estacado, where early town development, agriculture and later oil discoveries contributed to a distinctive working identity. The county’s own history connects its name to Joseph Calloway Lea, while local fair and rodeo traditions add a community dimension. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 74,749 residents in Lea County, New Mexico, on July 1, 2025.
Lea County at a Glance
Population74,749 (2025 est.)
County SeatLovington
Largest CityHobbs
Established1917 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water4,395 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Discover Lea County
Lea County
Lovington's beginnings date to 1908, preceding Lea County's formation in 1917 from parts of Chaves and Eddy counties. The county was named for Joseph Calloway Lea. Oil discoveries added an important economic chapter in the late 1920s, with later development continuing to reshape the region. The county's history therefore spans both pre-oil community building and the growth of a major industry, all within the geographic setting of the Llano Estacado.
Start in Lovington for the county's civic story, then use county resources to learn about the broader agricultural and energy history. Fair and rodeo information can provide another window into community traditions, though dates and activities should be checked before planning a visit. Working industrial sites are not assumed public attractions. A useful county introduction connects the town's early development with later economic changes and the open plains setting in which they occurred.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Lovington anchors Lea County on the Llano Estacado, where early town development, agriculture and later oil discoveries contributed to a distinctive working identity.
The Local Story
Lovington's beginnings date to 1908, preceding Lea County's formation in 1917 from parts of Chaves and Eddy counties. The county was named for Joseph Calloway Lea.
Explore The County
Start in Lovington for the county's civic story, then use county resources to learn about the broader agricultural and energy history.
Discover the community stories behind a changing plains economy.
A Closer Look
Lea County
Places and perspectives from Lea County
Lea County headlines via Google News
Precautionary road closure and evacuation in parts of Lea County after loss-of-containment at well site - KRQE
Precautionary road closure and evacuation in parts of Lea County after loss-of-containment at well site KRQE
Read the Story Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Lea County
Stories from every corner of Lea County.
Precautionary road closure and evacuation in parts of Lea County after loss-of-containment at well site - KRQE
Precautionary road closure and evacuation in parts of Lea County after loss-of-containment at well site KRQE
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Precautionary road closure and evacuation in parts of Lea County after loss-of-containment at well site - KRQE
Precautionary road closure and evacuation in parts of Lea County after loss-of-containment at well site KRQE
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Oilfield incident reportedly leads to closure of County Road 1 from New Mexico Highway 128 - newswest9.com
Oilfield incident reportedly leads to closure of County Road 1 from New Mexico Highway 128 newswest9.com
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Lea County closes Orla Road after loss-of-containment incident at Chevron well site - CBS7
Lea County closes Orla Road after loss-of-containment incident at Chevron well site CBS7
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Orla Road closes after Chevron well site incident in Lea County - Yourbasin
Orla Road closes after Chevron well site incident in Lea County Yourbasin
Oct 19, 2026 • 2 min read
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Mettie Jordan Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 1715 AVENUE M, EUNICE, NM 88231. 575-394-2440.
Booker T. Washington Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 1200 EAST HUMBLE, HOBBS, NM 88240. 575-433-2100.
Jal Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 307 EAST UTAH, JAL, NM 88252. 575-395-2101.
Ben Alexander Elementary – Elementary; grades 02-02. 1400 SOUTH SIXTH, LOVINGTON, NM 88260. 575-739-2580.
Tatum Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-06. 115 WEST 3RD ST, TATUM, NM 88267. 575-398-4455.
Eunice High – High; grades 09-12. 1101 19TH STREET, EUNICE, NM 88231. 575-394-2332.
Caton Middle – Middle; grades 06-08. 1109 16TH STREET, EUNICE, NM 88231. 575-394-3338.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 5419 N Lovington Highway, Hobbs, NM 88240. 575-492-5000.
Nor-Lea Hospital District – Critical Access Hospitals. 1600 North Main Ave, Lovington, NM 88260. 575-396-6611.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Eunice Public Library – 1003 Avenue N., Eunice, NM 88231. 575-394-2336.
Hobbs Public Library – 509 N. Shipp, Hobbs, NM 88240. 575-397-9328.
Woolworth Community Library – 100 E Utah St, Jal, NM 88252. 575-395-3268.
Lovington Public Library – 115 South Main St., Lovington, NM 88260. 505-396-3144.
Tatum Community Library – 323 E. Broadway, Tatum, NM 88267. 575-398-4822.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
New Mexico — How to Title a Vehicle
New Mexico — Renew a Vehicle Registration
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Lea County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Lea County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
74,749 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
4,394.698 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official New Mexico resources: Maps & Locations; How to Title a Vehicle; Renew a Vehicle Registration. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Lovington's beginnings date to 1908, preceding Lea County's formation in 1917 from parts of Chaves and Eddy counties. The county was named for Joseph Calloway Lea. Oil discoveries added an important economic chapter in the late 1920s, with later development continuing to reshape the region. The county's history therefore spans both pre-oil community building and the growth of a major industry, all within the geographic setting of the Llano Estacado.
Start in Lovington for the county's civic story, then use county resources to learn about the broader agricultural and energy history. Fair and rodeo information can provide another window into community traditions, though dates and activities should be checked before planning a visit. Working industrial sites are not assumed public attractions. A useful county introduction connects the town's early development with later economic changes and the open plains setting in which they occurred.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 4,391.552 square miles of land and 3.146 square miles of water in Lea County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Lea County had an estimated 74,634 residents on July 1, 2020, and 74,749 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 115 residents, or about 0.2%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Lovington is the county seat listed for Lea County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Lea CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Lea County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Lea County