Cheraw, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cheraw, Colorado had a total population of 188, the 371st largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $52,857, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Cheraw Quick Facts
How Cheraw 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 | 211 | 188 | -10.9% |
| Median household income | $38,542 | $52,857 | +37.1% |
| Median home value | $97,900 | $125,000 | +27.7% |
How Cheraw 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+)
Cheraw Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Otero County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Junta | 7,140 | $52,315 | 27.4% | $194,800 |
| Rocky Ford | 3,815 | $40,655 | 31.7% | $143,900 |
| Fowler | 936 | $44,048 | 18.5% | $143,900 |
| North La Junta | 535 | $47,941 | 5.1% | $120,800 |
| Swink | 422 | $44,219 | 6.6% | $163,000 |
| Manzanola | 361 | $36,010 | 8.6% | $128,300 |
| La Junta Gardens | 112 | $83,701 | 0.0% | $230,300 |
Cities Similar to Cheraw
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smeltertown | 188 | N/A | N/A | 11.5% | 76.6% |
| Capulin | 185 | N/A | N/A | 33.7% | 0.0% |
| Vilas | 184 | N/A | $65,000 | 16.2% | 34.8% |
| Seven Hills | 183 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Echo Hills | 180 | N/A | $920,700 | 100.0% | 6.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 188, Cheraw's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cheraw is a small community located in Colorado, within Otero County. The total population is 188. It ranks as the 371st most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cheraw is 55.7 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 13.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cheraw is $52,857. This is 45% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 58% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $125,000. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $539,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Cheraw is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cheraw is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.2%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, Colorado?
Cheraw, Colorado has a population of 188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cheraw, CO?
The median household income in Cheraw is $52,857, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cheraw, CO?
The poverty rate in Cheraw is 14.9%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cheraw, Colorado?
Cheraw's population is 79.8% White, 0.0% Black, 12.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cheraw, CO?
The median home value in Cheraw is $125,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Cheraw, Colorado?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Cheraw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.