Paonia, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paonia, Colorado had a total population of 1,661, the 186th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $59,574, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Paonia Quick Facts
How Paonia 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 | 1,454 | 1,661 | +14.2% |
| Median household income | $52,466 | $59,574 | +13.5% |
| Median home value | $301,300 | $343,700 | +14.1% |
How Paonia 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+)
Paonia Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Delta County
Cities Similar to Paonia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 1,722 | $57,321 | $208,100 | 25.9% | 7.5% |
| Limon | 1,678 | $65,776 | $219,300 | 41.2% | 8.1% |
| Olathe | 1,793 | $55,767 | $245,600 | 7.6% | 25.5% |
| Ordway | 1,528 | $54,583 | $104,400 | 21.3% | 18.6% |
| Parachute | 1,422 | $58,778 | $271,400 | 10.7% | 27.5% |
Population Overview
Paonia is a small community located in Colorado, within Delta County. The total population is 1,661. It ranks as the 186th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paonia is 44.4 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. 11.4% 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 Paonia is $59,574. This is 38% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $343,700. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paonia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (11.0%) is well below the state average of 22.5%.
Education
36.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paonia, 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 Paonia, Colorado?
Paonia, Colorado has a population of 1,661 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paonia, CO?
The median household income in Paonia is $59,574, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paonia, CO?
The poverty rate in Paonia is 17.1%. This means approximately 277 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paonia, Colorado?
Paonia's population is 78.7% White, 4.8% Black, 11.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paonia, CO?
The median home value in Paonia is $343,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Paonia, Colorado?
36.7% of adults (25+) in Paonia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.