Gunnison, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gunnison, Colorado had a total population of 6,766, the 96th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $62,189, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
Gunnison Quick Facts
How Gunnison 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 | 6,712 | 6,766 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $55,313 | $62,189 | +12.4% |
| Median home value | $432,200 | $461,000 | +6.7% |
How Gunnison 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+)
Gunnison Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Gunnison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crested Butte | 1,229 | $74,479 | 3.2% | $1,010,600 |
| Mount Crested Butte | 823 | $85,357 | 8.8% | $555,300 |
| Marble | 309 | $170,793 | 1.3% | $773,900 |
| Pitkin | 131 | $85,729 | 3.0% | $355,200 |
| Somerset | 79 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Gunnison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force Academy | 6,727 | $69,474 | N/A | 28.0% | 18.7% |
| Aspen | 6,756 | $74,033 | $819,900 | 69.6% | 10.6% |
| Sheridan | 6,005 | $60,608 | $380,600 | 22.6% | 14.0% |
| La Junta | 7,140 | $52,315 | $194,800 | 18.0% | 27.4% |
| Orchard Mesa | 6,945 | $80,359 | $332,600 | 21.7% | 4.5% |
Population Overview
Gunnison is a small city located in Colorado, within Gunnison County. The total population is 6,766. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gunnison is 25.2 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gunnison is $62,189. This is 35% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 134% 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 6.3%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $461,000. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 48.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gunnison is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.0%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
60.3% 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 97.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gunnison, 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 Gunnison, Colorado?
Gunnison, Colorado has a population of 6,766 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gunnison, CO?
The median household income in Gunnison is $62,189, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gunnison, CO?
The poverty rate in Gunnison is 22.1%. This means approximately 1,260 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gunnison, Colorado?
Gunnison's population is 77.0% White, 1.1% Black, 14.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gunnison, CO?
The median home value in Gunnison is $461,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Gunnison, Colorado?
60.3% of adults (25+) in Gunnison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.