Rocky Ford city, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Rocky Ford city, Colorado has a total population of 3,843, the 131st largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $35,658, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Rocky Ford city Quick Facts
How Rocky Ford city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rocky Ford city Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Cities Similar to Rocky Ford city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence city | 3,870 | $57,239 | $228,300 | 19.7% | 15.0% |
| Monte Vista city | 4,178 | $49,339 | $204,500 | 29.1% | 29.3% |
| Walsenburg city | 3,079 | $40,799 | $148,600 | 16.1% | 25.0% |
| Yuma city | 3,427 | $52,102 | $180,000 | 16.7% | 22.4% |
| Penrose CDP | 3,978 | $75,109 | $276,100 | 27.4% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Rocky Ford city is a small community located in Colorado. The total population is 3,843. It ranks as the 131st most populous out of 471 cities and towns in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rocky Ford city is 32.0 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rocky Ford city is $35,658. This is 61% lower than the state median of $92,470. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 40.2%. This is 329% 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 7.4%. This is 65% higher than the state rate of 4.5%. The median home value is $126,100. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $502,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 65.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rocky Ford city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 67.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.1%) is well below the state average of 65.6%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (67.1% vs 22.2%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rocky Ford city, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 471 Census-designated places in Colorado. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rocky Ford city, Colorado?
Rocky Ford city, Colorado has a population of 3,843 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rocky Ford city, CO?
The median household income in Rocky Ford city is $35,658, which is 55% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Rocky Ford city, CO?
The poverty rate in Rocky Ford city is 40.2%. This means approximately 1,505 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rocky Ford city, Colorado?
Rocky Ford city's population is 29.1% White, 0.1% Black, 67.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rocky Ford city, CO?
The median home value in Rocky Ford city is $126,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Rocky Ford city, Colorado?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Rocky Ford city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.