Olney Springs, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olney Springs, Colorado had a total population of 557, the 279th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $48,500, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Olney Springs Quick Facts
How Olney Springs 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 | 550 | 557 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $52,031 | $48,500 | -6.8% |
| Median home value | $98,700 | $97,300 | -1.4% |
How Olney Springs 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+)
Olney Springs Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Crowley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordway | 1,528 | $54,583 | 18.6% | $104,400 |
| Sugar City | 464 | $47,798 | 21.3% | $90,000 |
| Crowley | 219 | $41,250 | 13.6% | $80,000 |
Cities Similar to Olney Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coaldale | 538 | N/A | $383,300 | 8.3% | 19.9% |
| North La Junta | 535 | $47,941 | $120,800 | 15.0% | 5.1% |
| La Jara | 522 | N/A | $141,700 | 25.5% | 24.9% |
| Walden | 573 | $40,972 | $169,600 | 29.7% | 12.2% |
| Dinosaur | 507 | $51,032 | N/A | 9.1% | 3.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 557, Olney Springs'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
Olney Springs is a small community located in Colorado, within Crowley County. The total population is 557. It ranks as the 279th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olney Springs is 32.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Olney Springs is $48,500. This is 49% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.2%. This is 219% 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 7.5%. This is 63% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $97,300. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $539,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Olney Springs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Olney Springs is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (33.9% vs 22.5%).
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olney Springs, 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 Olney Springs, Colorado?
Olney Springs, Colorado has a population of 557 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olney Springs, CO?
The median household income in Olney Springs is $48,500, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olney Springs, CO?
The poverty rate in Olney Springs is 30.2%. This means approximately 168 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olney Springs, Colorado?
Olney Springs's population is 63.2% White, 0.0% Black, 33.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olney Springs, CO?
The median home value in Olney Springs is $97,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Olney Springs, Colorado?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Olney Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.