Salida, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salida, Colorado had a total population of 5,861, the 107th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $70,045, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.3x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Salida Quick Facts
How Salida 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 | 5,786 | 5,861 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $69,773 | $70,045 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $583,400 | $648,500 | +11.2% |
How Salida 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+)
Salida Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Chaffee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista | 3,010 | $78,323 | 7.3% | $572,700 |
| Poncha Springs | 959 | $97,139 | 0.4% | $522,900 |
| Maysville | 235 | N/A | 20.8% | $1,321,800 |
| Smeltertown | 188 | N/A | 76.6% | N/A |
| Nathrop | 187 | $30,040 | 0.0% | $125,500 |
| Johnson Village | 129 | N/A | 13.2% | N/A |
| Garfield | 93 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Salida
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battlement Mesa | 5,755 | $76,152 | $312,700 | 29.6% | 11.0% |
| Sheridan | 6,005 | $60,608 | $380,600 | 22.6% | 14.0% |
| Estes Park | 5,844 | $85,956 | $664,200 | 57.1% | 8.0% |
| Stratmoor | 5,412 | $65,000 | $310,000 | 17.0% | 10.6% |
| Brush | 5,306 | $73,382 | $273,000 | 16.5% | 14.2% |
Population Overview
Salida is a small city located in Colorado, within Chaffee County. The total population is 5,861. It ranks as the 107th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salida is 44.1 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salida is $70,045. This is 27% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $648,500. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salida is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (10.3%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
53.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% higher 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 94.0%. Notably, 20.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salida, 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 Salida, Colorado?
Salida, Colorado has a population of 5,861 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salida, CO?
The median household income in Salida is $70,045, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salida, CO?
The poverty rate in Salida is 11.1%. This means approximately 636 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salida, Colorado?
Salida's population is 81.8% White, 0.0% Black, 10.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salida, CO?
The median home value in Salida is $648,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is Salida, Colorado?
53.5% of adults (25+) in Salida hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.