Fort Garland CDP, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Fort Garland CDP is a small community located in Colorado. The total population is 426. It ranks as the 304th most populous out of 471 cities and towns in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fort Garland CDP is 23.8 years. This is 37% lower than the state median of 37.5 years. With 36.9% of the population under 18, Fort Garland CDP has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Fort Garland CDP is $29,750. This is 68% lower than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 62% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.3%. This is 255% 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 3.3%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.5%. The median home value is $239,600. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $502,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 70.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 66.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Garland CDP is Hispanic or Latino, making up 72.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.8%) is well below the state average of 65.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.1% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (72.8% vs 22.2%).

Education

5.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 88% lower than the state rate of 44.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Fort Garland CDP, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 471 Census-designated places in Colorado. For official data, visit data.census.gov.