La Junta, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Junta, Colorado had a total population of 7,140, the 94th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $52,315, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
La Junta Quick Facts
How La Junta 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 | 7,211 | 7,140 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $54,253 | $52,315 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $180,700 | $194,800 | +7.8% |
How La Junta 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 Junta Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Otero County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Ford | 3,815 | $40,655 | 31.7% | $143,900 |
| Fowler | 936 | $44,048 | 18.5% | $143,900 |
| North La Junta | 535 | $47,941 | 5.1% | $120,800 |
| Swink | 422 | $44,219 | 6.6% | $163,000 |
| Manzanola | 361 | $36,010 | 8.6% | $128,300 |
| Cheraw | 188 | $52,857 | 14.9% | $125,000 |
| La Junta Gardens | 112 | $83,701 | 0.0% | $230,300 |
Cities Similar to La Junta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar | 7,611 | $53,188 | $152,900 | 20.6% | 21.3% |
| Gunnison | 6,766 | $62,189 | $461,000 | 60.3% | 22.1% |
| Trinidad | 8,286 | $52,273 | $226,800 | 18.8% | 21.1% |
| Air Force Academy | 6,727 | $69,474 | N/A | 28.0% | 18.7% |
| Aspen | 6,756 | $74,033 | $819,900 | 69.6% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
La Junta is a small city located in Colorado, within Otero County. The total population is 7,140. It ranks as the 94th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Junta is 38.2 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. 11.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Junta is $52,315. This is 45% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 191% 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 7.9%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $194,800. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Junta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 42.7%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (42.7% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Junta, 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 Junta, Colorado?
La Junta, Colorado has a population of 7,140 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Junta, CO?
The median household income in La Junta is $52,315, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Junta, CO?
The poverty rate in La Junta is 27.4%. This means approximately 1,874 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Junta, Colorado?
La Junta's population is 52.6% White, 1.3% Black, 42.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Junta, CO?
The median home value in La Junta is $194,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is La Junta, Colorado?
18.0% of adults (25+) in La Junta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.