Telluride, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Telluride, Colorado had a total population of 2,160, the 170th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $102,405, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.6% — among the lowest in Colorado.
- 85.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Colorado.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Telluride Quick Facts
How Telluride 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 | 2,595 | 2,160 | -16.8% |
| Median household income | $97,330 | $102,405 | +5.2% |
How Telluride 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+)
Telluride Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in San Miguel County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Village | 2,185 | $52,923 | 21.6% | $2,000,000+ |
| Norwood | 381 | $57,417 | 13.8% | $333,700 |
| Placerville | 333 | $105,972 | 14.1% | $1,133,100 |
| Ophir | 120 | $135,179 | 17.5% | $906,300 |
| Sawpit | 6 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Telluride
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 2,244 | $112,986 | $475,900 | 46.8% | 2.0% |
| Hayden | 2,057 | $90,804 | $407,900 | 24.1% | 6.6% |
| Idaho Springs | 1,986 | $89,436 | $446,500 | 49.3% | 6.9% |
| Ault | 2,425 | $95,049 | $359,100 | 23.6% | 4.9% |
| Keenesburg | 2,347 | $83,950 | $432,900 | 9.8% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Telluride is a small community located in Colorado, within San Miguel County. The total population is 2,160. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Telluride is 48.9 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Telluride is $102,405. This is 7% higher than the state median of $95,470. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.6%. This is 94% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. 85.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Telluride was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 99.3% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
85.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Telluride in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 88% higher than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 16.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Telluride, 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.
Free data download: Get all Colorado city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Telluride, Colorado?
Telluride, Colorado has a population of 2,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Telluride, CO?
The median household income in Telluride is $102,405, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Telluride, CO?
The poverty rate in Telluride is 0.6%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Telluride, Colorado?
Telluride's population is 99.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Telluride, CO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Telluride — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Telluride, Colorado?
85.7% of adults (25+) in Telluride hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.