Sanford, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sanford, Colorado had a total population of 1,142, the 212th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $42,143, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
Sanford Quick Facts
How Sanford 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 | 1,047 | 1,142 | +9.1% |
| Median household income | $41,250 | $42,143 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $150,000 | $171,700 | +14.5% |
How Sanford 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sanford Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Conejos County
Cities Similar to Sanford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julesburg | 1,181 | $43,500 | $149,400 | 23.2% | 17.5% |
| Gilcrest | 1,026 | N/A | $321,900 | 5.6% | 18.4% |
| Keystone | 1,216 | $51,591 | $1,284,700 | 54.3% | 26.3% |
| Cripple Creek | 955 | $41,840 | $285,800 | 21.9% | 20.3% |
| Hotchkiss | 1,224 | $54,545 | $266,700 | 18.0% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Sanford is a small community located in Colorado, within Conejos County. The total population is 1,142. It ranks as the 212th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sanford is 32.8 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 31.7% of the population under 18, Sanford has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sanford is $42,143. This is 56% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 75% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 11.2%. This is 141% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $171,700. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 73.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sanford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 45.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (45.8% vs 22.5%).
Education
37.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sanford, 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 Sanford, Colorado?
Sanford, Colorado has a population of 1,142 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sanford, CO?
The median household income in Sanford is $42,143, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sanford, CO?
The poverty rate in Sanford is 16.6%. This means approximately 189 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sanford, Colorado?
Sanford's population is 48.3% White, 0.0% Black, 45.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sanford, CO?
The median home value in Sanford is $171,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Sanford, Colorado?
37.3% of adults (25+) in Sanford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.