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Durango, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026

Expensive MarketHome value to income ratio of 8.5x indicates a costly housing market

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Durango, Colorado had a total population of 19,411, the 42nd largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $78,602, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Durango Quick Facts

Population 19,411
Median Household Income $78,602
Median Home Value $668,400
Poverty Rate 13.0%
Unemployment Rate 3.1%
Median Age 38.3 years
Homeownership Rate 53.0%
Affordability Ratio 8.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 60.4%
High School Graduation Rate 98.0%
Diversity Index 37/100
Population 19,411 42nd of 472
Median Income $78,602 average
Poverty Rate 13.0% 4% higher than national
Median Home Value $668,400 top 30%

How Durango Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population19,25719,411+0.8%
Median household income$79,545$78,602-1.2%
Median home value$609,700$668,400+9.6%

How Durango Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.0%
$25K-$50K 18.3%
$50K-$100K 26.1%
$100K+ 40.6%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.8%
$10K-$15K
2.8%
$15K-$20K
5.0%
$20K-$25K
3.4%
$25K-$30K
4.6%
$30K-$35K
3.7%
$35K-$40K
3.7%
$40K-$45K
2.4%
$45K-$50K
3.9%
$50K-$60K
5.3%
$60K-$75K
10.0%
$75K-$100K
10.8%
$100K-$125K
12.3%
$125K-$150K
7.1%
$150K-$200K
11.0%
$200K+
10.2%

Employment

3.1% Unemployment Rate State: 4.6%|National: 5.2%
67.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 53.0%
Renter 47.0%
Affordability Index Very Expensive
8.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,636/mo 25.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

37out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 52 | National average: 61

Education

Durango Rankings in Colorado

#42 Population of 472
#214 Median Income of 399
#88 Education of 472
#104 Home Value of 412

Other Cities in La Plata County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Bayfield 2,901 $93,125 8.4% $412,500
Ignacio 1,250 $67,593 16.1% $246,200
Marvel 100 $56,719 8.0% $309,500
Southern Ute 67 N/A 0.0% $281,300

Cities Similar to Durango

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Cimarron Hills19,817$80,808$368,00026.9%10.6%
Sherrelwood18,692$75,327$432,20020.0%10.7%
Montrose21,044$70,386$387,90033.5%11.6%
Fort Carson18,019$66,237N/A25.6%15.3%
Evans22,396$75,563$351,00021.2%13.5%

Population Overview

Durango is a small city located in Colorado, within La Plata County. The total population is 19,411. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Durango is 38.3 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 13.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Durango is $78,602. This is 18% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $668,400. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Durango is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.7%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.7%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.

Education

60.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 98.0%. Notably, 22.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Durango, 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 Durango, Colorado?

Durango, Colorado has a population of 19,411 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Durango, CO?

The median household income in Durango is $78,602, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Durango, CO?

The poverty rate in Durango is 13.0%. This means approximately 2,306 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Durango, Colorado?

Durango's population is 78.4% White, 0.6% Black, 8.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Durango, CO?

The median home value in Durango is $668,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.5x.

How educated is Durango, Colorado?

60.4% of adults (25+) in Durango hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.