Costilla County, Colorado Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Costilla County is located in Colorado with a total population of 3,571. It is the 55th most populous county out of 64 in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Costilla County is 50.7 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 37.5 years. 10.1% 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 Costilla County is $36,519. This is 61% lower than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 138% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. The median home value is $171,300. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $502,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 78.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Costilla County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 55.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (55.6% vs 22.2%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.

Education

27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower 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 89.6%.