Simla, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Simla, Colorado had a total population of 423, the 301st largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $44,688, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Simla Quick Facts
How Simla 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 | 576 | 423 | -26.6% |
| Median home value | $210,300 | $251,400 | +19.5% |
How Simla 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+)
Simla Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Elbert County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponderosa Park | 3,453 | $132,154 | 5.4% | $704,000 |
| Elizabeth | 2,244 | $112,986 | 2.0% | $475,900 |
| Kiowa | 673 | $92,625 | 15.7% | $367,000 |
| Elbert | 164 | $69,167 | 15.8% | $327,100 |
| Matheson | 34 | N/A | 14.7% | $360,000 |
Cities Similar to Simla
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swink | 422 | $44,219 | $163,000 | 18.6% | 6.6% |
| Vineland | 410 | N/A | $293,800 | 20.5% | 17.1% |
| Fort Garland | 446 | N/A | $258,500 | 4.9% | 33.6% |
| Cattle Creek | 396 | $44,769 | $1,100,000 | 54.3% | 4.8% |
| Chacra | 457 | N/A | $1,041,700 | 40.5% | 21.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 423, Simla's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Simla is a small community located in Colorado, within Elbert County. The total population is 423. It ranks as the 301st most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Simla is 38.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Simla is $44,688. This is 53% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.0%. This is 229% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Simla, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $251,400. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 45.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Simla has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Simla, 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 Simla, Colorado?
Simla, Colorado has a population of 423 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Simla, CO?
The median household income in Simla is $44,688, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Simla, CO?
The poverty rate in Simla is 31.0%. This means approximately 125 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Simla, Colorado?
Simla's population is 85.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Simla, CO?
The median home value in Simla is $251,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Simla, Colorado?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Simla hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.