Center, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Center, Colorado had a total population of 2,120, the 171st largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $45,750, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 18.1% is notably above the national average.
Center Quick Facts
How Center 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 | 2,312 | 2,120 | -8.3% |
| Median household income | $50,057 | $45,750 | -8.6% |
| Median home value | $115,600 | $126,000 | +9.0% |
How Center 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+)
Center Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Rio Grande County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monte Vista | 4,141 | $61,684 | 30.9% | $224,500 |
| Del Norte | 1,653 | $40,700 | 18.5% | $184,400 |
| South Fork | 724 | $76,250 | 11.1% | $423,800 |
| Gerrard | 332 | $76,181 | 5.4% | N/A |
| Alpine | 75 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pagosa Springs | 2,090 | $50,785 | $374,600 | 23.4% | 18.2% |
| Mountain Village | 2,185 | $52,923 | $2,000,000+ | 61.3% | 21.6% |
| Wray | 2,114 | $57,171 | $173,000 | 26.8% | 17.5% |
| Cedaredge | 2,398 | $47,614 | $276,700 | 24.8% | 20.6% |
| Holyoke | 2,382 | $52,482 | $259,000 | 32.7% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
Center is a small community located in Colorado, within Rio Grande County. The total population is 2,120. It ranks as the 171st most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Center is 37.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.7 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Center has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Center is $45,750. This is 52% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 111% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 18.1%. This is 290% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $126,000. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $539,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Center has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 64.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (94.5% vs 22.5%).
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower 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 81.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Center, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Center, Colorado?
Center, Colorado has a population of 2,120 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Center, CO?
The median household income in Center is $45,750, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Center, CO?
The poverty rate in Center is 19.9%. This means approximately 422 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Center, Colorado?
Center's population is 4.4% White, 0.0% Black, 94.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Center, CO?
The median home value in Center is $126,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Center, Colorado?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.