Boulder, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Boulder, Colorado had a total population of 106,433, the 12th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $87,493, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 76.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Colorado.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.9x the median household income.
Boulder Quick Facts
How Boulder Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 106,433 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $87,493 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $982,600 | $1,039,500 | +5.8% |
How Boulder Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Boulder Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Boulder County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | 30,602 | $119,040 | 5.6% | $686,500 |
| Louisville | 20,786 | $147,319 | 4.5% | $883,900 |
| Gunbarrel | 10,051 | $109,407 | 8.8% | $821,000 |
| Niwot | 3,447 | $146,492 | 2.2% | $995,700 |
| Lyons | 1,838 | $122,837 | 11.9% | $845,400 |
| Nederland | 1,655 | $122,917 | 2.7% | $707,100 |
| Allenspark | 825 | $108,056 | 8.2% | $742,900 |
| Lazy Acres | 778 | $147,625 | 17.1% | $1,024,700 |
| Paragon Estates | 667 | $230,268 | 5.0% | $1,617,500 |
| Altona | 587 | $149,327 | 3.9% | $1,084,000 |
Cities Similar to Boulder
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longmont | 99,406 | $90,671 | $572,800 | 47.0% | 8.6% |
| Westminster | 115,484 | $100,272 | $532,400 | 44.6% | 7.3% |
| Greeley | 110,806 | $69,881 | $402,500 | 27.8% | 15.1% |
| Centennial | 108,201 | $131,928 | $658,100 | 62.6% | 3.3% |
| Pueblo | 111,561 | $56,664 | $247,200 | 23.7% | 17.5% |
Population Overview
Boulder is a major urban center located in Colorado, within Boulder County. The total population is 106,433. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Boulder is 28.8 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 11.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Boulder is $87,493. This is 8% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 127% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $1,039,500. Housing costs are 93% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Boulder is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.7%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.4% vs 3.2%).
Education
76.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Boulder in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.3%. Notably, 40.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Boulder, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Colorado city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Boulder, Colorado?
Boulder, Colorado has a population of 106,433 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Boulder, CO?
The median household income in Boulder is $87,493, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Boulder, CO?
The poverty rate in Boulder is 21.4%. This means approximately 20,337 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Boulder, Colorado?
Boulder's population is 78.0% White, 1.0% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Boulder, CO?
The median home value in Boulder is $1,039,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.9x.
How educated is Boulder, Colorado?
76.8% of adults (25+) in Boulder hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 40.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.