Cortez, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cortez, Colorado had a total population of 8,976, the 76th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $54,247, which is 43% 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 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Cortez Quick Facts
How Cortez 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 | 8,898 | 8,976 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $51,377 | $54,247 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $226,700 | $272,900 | +20.4% |
How Cortez 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cortez Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Montezuma County
Cities Similar to Cortez
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad | 8,286 | $52,273 | $226,800 | 18.8% | 21.1% |
| Delta | 9,421 | $45,250 | $283,300 | 24.4% | 20.5% |
| Alamosa | 9,879 | $49,688 | $225,200 | 33.3% | 15.9% |
| Craig | 8,991 | $72,636 | $278,500 | 18.2% | 8.9% |
| Lamar | 7,611 | $53,188 | $152,900 | 20.6% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Cortez is a small city located in Colorado, within Montezuma County. The total population is 8,976. It ranks as the 76th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cortez is 36.4 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cortez is $54,247. This is 43% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 33% 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 4.1%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $272,900. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cortez is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.7%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cortez, 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 Cortez, Colorado?
Cortez, Colorado has a population of 8,976 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cortez, CO?
The median household income in Cortez is $54,247, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cortez, CO?
The poverty rate in Cortez is 15.0%. This means approximately 1,328 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cortez, Colorado?
Cortez's population is 62.1% White, 0.1% Black, 19.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cortez, CO?
The median home value in Cortez is $272,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Cortez, Colorado?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Cortez hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.