La Jara, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Jara, Colorado had a total population of 522, the 284th largest town in Colorado. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
La Jara Quick Facts
How La Jara 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 | 593 | 522 | -12.0% |
| Median home value | $134,400 | $141,700 | +5.4% |
How La Jara 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
La Jara Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Conejos County
Cities Similar to La Jara
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otis | 521 | $55,962 | $167,900 | 19.8% | 15.2% |
| Central | 525 | $61,622 | $366,300 | 22.9% | 6.1% |
| North La Junta | 535 | $47,941 | $120,800 | 15.0% | 5.1% |
| Dinosaur | 507 | $51,032 | N/A | 9.1% | 3.2% |
| Coaldale | 538 | N/A | $383,300 | 8.3% | 19.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 522, La Jara'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
La Jara is a small community located in Colorado, within Conejos County. The total population is 522. It ranks as the 284th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Jara is 38.3 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. With 31.4% of the population under 18, La Jara has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 164% 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 7.1%. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $141,700. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $539,400. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Jara is Hispanic or Latino, making up 59.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (59.2% vs 22.5%).
Education
25.5% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Jara, 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 La Jara, Colorado?
La Jara, Colorado has a population of 522 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Jara, CO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for La Jara — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Jara, CO?
The poverty rate in La Jara is 24.9%. This means approximately 130 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Jara, Colorado?
La Jara's population is 40.8% White, 0.0% Black, 59.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Jara, CO?
The median home value in La Jara is $141,700.
How educated is La Jara, Colorado?
25.5% of adults (25+) in La Jara hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.