Crested Butte, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Crested Butte, Colorado had a total population of 1,229, the 206th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $74,479, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in Colorado.
- 75.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Colorado.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 13.6x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Crested Butte Quick Facts
How Crested Butte 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 | 1,436 | 1,229 | -14.4% |
| Median household income | $71,923 | $74,479 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $928,100 | $1,010,600 | +8.9% |
How Crested Butte 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+)
Crested Butte Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Gunnison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison | 6,766 | $62,189 | 22.1% | $461,000 |
| Mount Crested Butte | 823 | $85,357 | 8.8% | $555,300 |
| Marble | 309 | $170,793 | 1.3% | $773,900 |
| Pitkin | 131 | $85,729 | 3.0% | $355,200 |
| Somerset | 79 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Crested Butte
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Trail | 1,275 | $73,906 | $373,000 | 17.2% | 18.8% |
| Ridgway | 1,237 | $83,750 | $709,900 | 60.7% | 7.2% |
| Ignacio | 1,250 | $67,593 | $246,200 | 17.3% | 16.1% |
| Alamosa East | 1,298 | $76,683 | $264,400 | 28.0% | 27.5% |
| Mancos | 1,174 | $65,833 | $353,200 | 36.4% | 10.7% |
Population Overview
Crested Butte is a small community located in Colorado, within Gunnison County. The total population is 1,229. It ranks as the 206th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Crested Butte is 46.5 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Crested Butte is $74,479. This is 22% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 66% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 13.3%. This is 187% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $1,010,600. Housing costs are 87% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 13.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Crested Butte has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.4%) is well below the state average of 22.5%.
Education
75.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Crested Butte in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 65% higher 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 99.1%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Crested Butte, 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 Crested Butte, Colorado?
Crested Butte, Colorado has a population of 1,229 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Crested Butte, CO?
The median household income in Crested Butte is $74,479, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Crested Butte, CO?
The poverty rate in Crested Butte is 3.2%. This means approximately 39 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Crested Butte, Colorado?
Crested Butte's population is 86.5% White, 0.0% Black, 9.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Crested Butte, CO?
The median home value in Crested Butte is $1,010,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 13.6x.
How educated is Crested Butte, Colorado?
75.6% of adults (25+) in Crested Butte hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.