Fort Garland, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Garland, Colorado had a total population of 446, the 300th largest community in Colorado. The poverty rate is 33.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Fort Garland Quick Facts
How Fort Garland 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 | 426 | 446 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $239,600 | $258,500 | +7.9% |
How Fort Garland 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 Garland Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Costilla County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis | 560 | $26,708 | 21.6% | $98,800 |
| Blanca | 230 | $68,000 | 12.2% | $163,500 |
| San Acacio | 61 | N/A | 82.0% | $569,100 |
Cities Similar to Fort Garland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granada | 447 | $49,250 | $115,300 | 20.4% | 14.5% |
| Crawford | 448 | $58,160 | $208,200 | 30.8% | 24.3% |
| St. Ann Highlands | 453 | $188,125 | $936,200 | 80.4% | 0.0% |
| Chacra | 457 | N/A | $1,041,700 | 40.5% | 21.7% |
| De Beque | 458 | $63,558 | $241,700 | 18.2% | 12.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 446, Fort Garland'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
Fort Garland is a small community located in Colorado, within Costilla County. The total population is 446. It ranks as the 300th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Garland is 30.5 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 41.0% of the population under 18, Fort Garland has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 33.6%. This is 256% 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 2.2%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $258,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $539,400. 71.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Garland is Hispanic or Latino, making up 80.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 64.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.5% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (80.0% vs 22.5%).
Education
4.9% 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 89% 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 80.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Garland, 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.
Free data download: Get all Colorado city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Garland, Colorado?
Fort Garland, Colorado has a population of 446 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Garland, CO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Fort Garland — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Garland, CO?
The poverty rate in Fort Garland is 33.6%. This means approximately 150 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Garland, Colorado?
Fort Garland's population is 5.4% White, 8.5% Black, 80.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Garland, CO?
The median home value in Fort Garland is $258,500.
How educated is Fort Garland, Colorado?
4.9% of adults (25+) in Fort Garland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.