Vail, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vail, Colorado had a total population of 4,613, the 122nd largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $98,893, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
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 14.2x the median household income.
Vail Quick Facts
How Vail 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 | 4,729 | 4,613 | -2.5% |
| Median household income | $103,705 | $98,893 | -4.6% |
| Median home value | $1,040,100 | $1,400,700 | +34.7% |
How Vail 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+)
Vail Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Eagle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwards | 10,785 | $81,909 | 12.5% | $937,300 |
| Gypsum | 8,941 | $115,564 | 9.6% | $633,000 |
| Eagle | 7,442 | $110,398 | 6.8% | $695,100 |
| Avon | 5,972 | $89,027 | 12.2% | $548,900 |
| Basalt | 4,335 | $105,855 | 7.3% | $1,180,300 |
| El Jebel | 2,941 | $103,042 | 1.5% | $912,200 |
| Dotsero | 1,306 | $84,439 | 2.5% | $481,500 |
| Minturn | 993 | $111,944 | 10.3% | $1,103,100 |
| Red Cliff | 308 | $72,125 | 6.5% | $837,000 |
Cities Similar to Vail
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basalt | 4,335 | $105,855 | $1,180,300 | 57.2% | 7.3% |
| Manitou Springs | 4,735 | $85,000 | $561,200 | 57.2% | 11.2% |
| West Pleasant View | 5,051 | $95,817 | $489,400 | 29.2% | 11.7% |
| Dove Valley | 4,806 | $81,524 | $455,600 | 44.4% | 11.6% |
| New Castle | 4,880 | $80,084 | $454,300 | 32.1% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Vail is a small community located in Colorado, within Eagle County. The total population is 4,613. It ranks as the 122nd most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vail is 49.8 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 8.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vail is $98,893. This is 4% higher than the state median of $95,470. It is also 22% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $1,400,700. Housing costs are 160% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 14.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 61.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vail is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
69.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 98.8%. Notably, 28.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vail, 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 Vail, Colorado?
Vail, Colorado has a population of 4,613 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vail, CO?
The median household income in Vail is $98,893, which is 22% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vail, CO?
The poverty rate in Vail is 6.4%. This means approximately 297 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vail, Colorado?
Vail's population is 83.2% White, 0.0% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vail, CO?
The median home value in Vail is $1,400,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 14.2x.
How educated is Vail, Colorado?
69.6% of adults (25+) in Vail hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 28.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.