Dove Creek, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dove Creek, Colorado had a total population of 651, the 261st largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $62,831, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Dove Creek Quick Facts
How Dove Creek 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 | 680 | 651 | -4.3% |
| Median household income | $69,659 | $62,831 | -9.8% |
| Median home value | $145,000 | $149,600 | +3.2% |
How Dove Creek 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+)
Dove Creek Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Dolores County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rico | 414 | $104,250 | 17.6% | $560,400 |
Cities Similar to Dove Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhan | 620 | $62,321 | $296,600 | 22.1% | 6.0% |
| Empire | 672 | $66,797 | $356,500 | 19.4% | 12.7% |
| Eads | 677 | $59,479 | $135,200 | 24.7% | 5.4% |
| Stratton | 716 | $61,583 | $166,300 | 18.6% | 3.9% |
| Silverton | 637 | $77,546 | $471,100 | 51.6% | 22.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 651, Dove Creek'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
Dove Creek is a small community located in Colorado, within Dolores County. The total population is 651. It ranks as the 261st most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dove Creek is 38.1 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dove Creek is $62,831. This is 34% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.0%. This is 271% 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 10.3%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $149,600. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $539,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Dove Creek is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dove Creek is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.4%.
Education
14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dove Creek, 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 Dove Creek, Colorado?
Dove Creek, Colorado has a population of 651 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dove Creek, CO?
The median household income in Dove Creek is $62,831, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dove Creek, CO?
The poverty rate in Dove Creek is 35.0%. This means approximately 228 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dove Creek, Colorado?
Dove Creek's population is 72.4% White, 0.0% Black, 17.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dove Creek, CO?
The median home value in Dove Creek is $149,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Dove Creek, Colorado?
14.5% of adults (25+) in Dove Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.