Smeltertown, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Smeltertown, Colorado had a total population of 188, the 371st largest community in Colorado. The poverty rate is 76.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (76.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Smeltertown Quick Facts
How Smeltertown 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 | 127 | 188 | +48.0% |
How Smeltertown 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Smeltertown Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Chaffee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salida | 5,861 | $70,045 | 11.1% | $648,500 |
| 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 |
| 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 Smeltertown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheraw | 188 | $52,857 | $125,000 | 11.7% | 14.9% |
| Vona | 189 | $78,750 | $214,300 | 34.5% | 0.0% |
| Nathrop | 187 | $30,040 | $125,500 | 46.0% | 0.0% |
| Genoa | 190 | $63,125 | $186,100 | 19.9% | 13.2% |
| Capulin | 185 | N/A | N/A | 33.7% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 188, Smeltertown'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
Smeltertown is a small community located in Colorado, within Chaffee County. The total population is 188. It ranks as the 371st most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Smeltertown is 42.4 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. With 30.9% of the population under 18, Smeltertown has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 76.6%. This is 711% 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 Smeltertown, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 23.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 65% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Smeltertown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 45.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (45.7% vs 22.5%).
Education
11.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 98.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Smeltertown, 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 Smeltertown, Colorado?
Smeltertown, Colorado has a population of 188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Smeltertown, CO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Smeltertown — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Smeltertown, CO?
The poverty rate in Smeltertown is 76.6%. This means approximately 144 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Smeltertown, Colorado?
Smeltertown's population is 53.2% White, 0.0% Black, 45.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Smeltertown, CO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Smeltertown — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Smeltertown, Colorado?
11.5% of adults (25+) in Smeltertown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.