Carbondale, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carbondale, Colorado had a total population of 6,637, the 99th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $108,324, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.3x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Carbondale Quick Facts
How Carbondale 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 | 6,553 | 6,637 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $94,300 | $108,324 | +14.9% |
| Median home value | $796,100 | $900,600 | +13.1% |
How Carbondale 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carbondale Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Garfield County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle | 10,570 | $80,000 | 6.0% | $413,500 |
| Glenwood Springs | 10,241 | $91,481 | 7.9% | $619,000 |
| Battlement Mesa | 5,755 | $76,152 | 11.0% | $312,700 |
| New Castle | 4,880 | $80,084 | 6.2% | $454,300 |
| Silt | 3,642 | $93,690 | 2.6% | $446,900 |
| Parachute | 1,422 | $58,778 | 27.5% | $271,400 |
| Chacra | 457 | N/A | 21.7% | $1,041,700 |
| Mulford | 413 | $141,036 | 0.0% | $1,302,100 |
| Cattle Creek | 396 | $44,769 | 4.8% | $1,100,000 |
| No Name | 269 | $158,377 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Carbondale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dacono | 6,530 | $104,559 | $482,800 | 27.9% | 3.9% |
| Eagle | 7,442 | $110,398 | $695,100 | 53.0% | 6.8% |
| Eaton | 5,867 | $106,294 | $475,900 | 41.5% | 9.6% |
| Gleneagle | 6,440 | $139,653 | $605,400 | 64.2% | 4.0% |
| Mead | 5,919 | $125,357 | $585,100 | 50.3% | 1.4% |
Population Overview
Carbondale is a small city located in Colorado, within Garfield County. The total population is 6,637. It ranks as the 99th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carbondale is 43.7 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carbondale is $108,324. This is 13% higher than the state median of $95,470. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.5%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $900,600. Housing costs are 67% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carbondale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.1%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
53.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 87.6%. Notably, 22.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, Colorado?
Carbondale, Colorado has a population of 6,637 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carbondale, CO?
The median household income in Carbondale is $108,324, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carbondale, CO?
The poverty rate in Carbondale is 10.5%. This means approximately 692 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carbondale, Colorado?
Carbondale's population is 72.5% White, 1.3% Black, 21.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carbondale, CO?
The median home value in Carbondale is $900,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.3x.
How educated is Carbondale, Colorado?
53.0% of adults (25+) in Carbondale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.