La Plata County, Colorado Demographics 2026

Population Overview

La Plata County is located in Colorado with a total population of 56,088. It is the 14th most populous county out of 64 in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in La Plata County is 42.3 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in La Plata County is $85,296. This is 8% lower than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 4.5%. The median home value is $549,100. Housing costs are 9% higher than the state median of $502,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 71.0% 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 La Plata County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.

Education

47.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher 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 96.4%. Notably, 17.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.