Palisade, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palisade, Colorado had a total population of 2,584, the 157th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $80,587, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Palisade Quick Facts
How Palisade 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 | 2,580 | 2,584 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $61,655 | $80,587 | +30.7% |
| Median home value | $295,200 | $404,600 | +37.1% |
How Palisade 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+)
Palisade Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Mesa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction | 68,142 | $70,080 | 11.8% | $389,800 |
| Clifton | 19,518 | $52,100 | 15.0% | $250,500 |
| Fruita | 13,691 | $87,184 | 4.1% | $398,200 |
| Redlands | 8,868 | $92,391 | 6.9% | $487,500 |
| Fruitvale | 8,019 | $77,887 | 9.9% | $333,100 |
| Orchard Mesa | 6,945 | $80,359 | 4.5% | $332,600 |
| Loma | 1,350 | $141,023 | 5.9% | $786,800 |
| De Beque | 458 | $63,558 | 12.7% | $241,700 |
| Collbran | 356 | $50,833 | 41.3% | $246,600 |
Cities Similar to Palisade
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leadville | 2,620 | $86,350 | $447,600 | 64.6% | 13.5% |
| Park Center | 2,588 | $72,212 | $386,200 | 19.6% | 11.5% |
| Meeker | 2,580 | $66,548 | $286,000 | 34.4% | 5.3% |
| Keenesburg | 2,347 | $83,950 | $432,900 | 9.8% | 10.0% |
| Rangely | 2,466 | $66,389 | $187,400 | 18.4% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Palisade is a small community located in Colorado, within Mesa County. The total population is 2,584. It ranks as the 157th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palisade is 51.8 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 11.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.3% 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 Palisade is $80,587. This is 16% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.0%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $404,600. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 66.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palisade is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.8%.
Education
32.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palisade, 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 Palisade, Colorado?
Palisade, Colorado has a population of 2,584 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palisade, CO?
The median household income in Palisade is $80,587, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palisade, CO?
The poverty rate in Palisade is 9.0%. This means approximately 226 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palisade, Colorado?
Palisade's population is 79.5% White, 0.0% Black, 17.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palisade, CO?
The median home value in Palisade is $404,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Palisade, Colorado?
32.6% of adults (25+) in Palisade hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.