Chaffee County, Colorado Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Chaffee County is located in Colorado with a total population of 19,876. It is the 26th most populous county out of 64 in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chaffee County is 47.6 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 37.5 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chaffee County is $70,909. This is 23% lower than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 10% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.5%. The median home value is $598,500. Housing costs are 19% higher than the state median of $502,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 72.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 66.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Chaffee County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.7%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.7%) is well below the state average of 22.2%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.

Education

45.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 44.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.6%. Notably, 18.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.