Fort Carson, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Carson, Colorado had a total population of 18,019, the 46th largest community in Colorado, with a median household income of $66,237, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Fort Carson Quick Facts
How Fort Carson 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 | 18,447 | 18,019 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $61,783 | $66,237 | +7.2% |
How Fort Carson 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+)
Fort Carson Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in El Paso County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | 487,887 | $84,818 | 9.0% | $452,600 |
| Security-Widefield | 37,345 | $91,142 | 7.3% | $387,500 |
| Fountain | 29,300 | $86,242 | 10.3% | $398,000 |
| Cimarron Hills | 19,817 | $80,808 | 10.6% | $368,000 |
| Black Forest | 15,738 | $145,460 | 5.0% | $856,200 |
| Monument | 11,735 | $128,816 | 4.7% | $636,700 |
| Woodmoor | 8,934 | $171,875 | 2.3% | $771,900 |
| Air Force Academy | 6,727 | $69,474 | 18.7% | N/A |
| Gleneagle | 6,440 | $139,653 | 4.0% | $605,400 |
| Stratmoor | 5,412 | $65,000 | 10.6% | $310,000 |
Cities Similar to Fort Carson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cañon City | 17,122 | $64,787 | $316,100 | 27.2% | 13.4% |
| Sherrelwood | 18,692 | $75,327 | $432,200 | 20.0% | 10.7% |
| Durango | 19,411 | $78,602 | $668,400 | 60.4% | 13.0% |
| Montrose | 21,044 | $70,386 | $387,900 | 33.5% | 11.6% |
| Cimarron Hills | 19,817 | $80,808 | $368,000 | 26.9% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Fort Carson is a small city located in Colorado, within El Paso County. The total population is 18,019. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Carson is 22.3 years. This is 41% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Carson is $66,237. This is 31% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in Fort Carson was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Carson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.8% vs 3.8%).
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 99.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Carson, 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 Fort Carson, Colorado?
Fort Carson, Colorado has a population of 18,019 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Carson, CO?
The median household income in Fort Carson is $66,237, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Carson, CO?
The poverty rate in Fort Carson is 15.3%. This means approximately 1,709 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Carson, Colorado?
Fort Carson's population is 54.1% White, 10.8% Black, 21.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Carson, CO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Fort Carson — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Fort Carson, Colorado?
25.6% of adults (25+) in Fort Carson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.