Clifton, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clifton, Colorado had a total population of 19,518, the 41st largest community in Colorado, with a median household income of $52,100, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
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.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Clifton Quick Facts
How Clifton 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 | 19,746 | 19,518 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $54,301 | $52,100 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $234,200 | $250,500 | +7.0% |
How Clifton 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+)
Clifton Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Mesa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction | 68,142 | $70,080 | 11.8% | $389,800 |
| Fruita | 13,691 | $87,184 | 4.1% | $398,200 |
| Redlands | 8,868 | $92,391 | 6.9% | $487,500 |
| Fruitvale | 8,019 | $77,887 | 9.9% | $333,100 |
| Orchard Mesa | 6,945 | $80,359 | 4.5% | $332,600 |
| Palisade | 2,584 | $80,587 | 9.0% | $404,600 |
| Loma | 1,350 | $141,023 | 5.9% | $786,800 |
| De Beque | 458 | $63,558 | 12.7% | $241,700 |
| Collbran | 356 | $50,833 | 41.3% | $246,600 |
Cities Similar to Clifton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Carson | 18,019 | $66,237 | N/A | 25.6% | 15.3% |
| Durango | 19,411 | $78,602 | $668,400 | 60.4% | 13.0% |
| Montrose | 21,044 | $70,386 | $387,900 | 33.5% | 11.6% |
| Sherrelwood | 18,692 | $75,327 | $432,200 | 20.0% | 10.7% |
| Cimarron Hills | 19,817 | $80,808 | $368,000 | 26.9% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Clifton is a small city located in Colorado, within Mesa County. The total population is 19,518. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clifton is 36.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clifton is $52,100. 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 15.0%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 8.6%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $250,500. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clifton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
12.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 84.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clifton, 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 Clifton, Colorado?
Clifton, Colorado has a population of 19,518 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clifton, CO?
The median household income in Clifton is $52,100, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clifton, CO?
The poverty rate in Clifton is 15.0%. This means approximately 2,928 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clifton, Colorado?
Clifton's population is 67.5% White, 0.4% Black, 26.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clifton, CO?
The median home value in Clifton is $250,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Clifton, Colorado?
12.8% of adults (25+) in Clifton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.