Fort Collins, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Collins, Colorado had a total population of 170,229, the 4th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $85,070, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Fort Collins is the 4th largest city in Colorado with a population of 170,229.
Fort Collins Quick Facts
How Fort Collins 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 | 169,705 | 170,229 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $85,070 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $548,400 | $577,900 | +5.4% |
How Fort Collins 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+)
Fort Collins Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Larimer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loveland | 78,410 | $84,604 | 8.5% | $479,000 |
| Windsor | 37,914 | $127,028 | 6.0% | $604,000 |
| Johnstown | 18,883 | $128,995 | 3.7% | $540,300 |
| Berthoud | 12,411 | $119,385 | 4.6% | $533,500 |
| Wellington | 11,798 | $107,017 | 8.8% | $464,200 |
| Timnath | 8,941 | $178,257 | 4.4% | $730,100 |
| Estes Park | 5,844 | $85,956 | 8.0% | $664,200 |
| Laporte | 1,771 | $87,313 | 10.6% | $452,600 |
| Red Feather Lakes | 365 | $138,696 | 7.7% | $356,900 |
Cities Similar to Fort Collins
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 156,583 | $89,792 | $574,400 | 45.3% | 9.2% |
| Thornton | 144,187 | $103,088 | $517,500 | 32.8% | 7.0% |
| Westminster | 115,484 | $100,272 | $532,400 | 44.6% | 7.3% |
| Boulder | 106,433 | $87,493 | $1,039,500 | 76.8% | 21.4% |
| Arvada | 122,634 | $117,348 | $632,600 | 51.5% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Fort Collins is a major urban center located in Colorado, within Larimer County. The total population is 170,229. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Collins is 30.9 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Collins is $85,070. This is 11% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $577,900. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Collins is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
60.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 97.5%. Notably, 26.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Collins, 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 Collins, Colorado?
Fort Collins, Colorado has a population of 170,229 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Collins, CO?
The median household income in Fort Collins is $85,070, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Collins, CO?
The poverty rate in Fort Collins is 15.8%. This means approximately 25,529 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Collins, Colorado?
Fort Collins's population is 77.3% White, 1.3% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Collins, CO?
The median home value in Fort Collins is $577,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.8x.
How educated is Fort Collins, Colorado?
60.7% of adults (25+) in Fort Collins hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.