Westcliffe, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Westcliffe, Colorado had a total population of 419, the 304th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $53,929, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Westcliffe Quick Facts
How Westcliffe 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 | 459 | 419 | -8.7% |
| Median household income | $65,074 | $53,929 | -17.1% |
| Median home value | $326,000 | $341,800 | +4.8% |
How Westcliffe 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+)
Westcliffe Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Custer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Cliff | 863 | $33,000 | 20.2% | $268,500 |
Cities Similar to Westcliffe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vineland | 410 | N/A | $293,800 | 20.5% | 17.1% |
| Wiley | 422 | $60,114 | $140,300 | 31.9% | 5.7% |
| Fort Garland | 446 | N/A | $258,500 | 4.9% | 33.6% |
| Alma | 385 | N/A | $423,900 | 40.9% | 7.5% |
| Chacra | 457 | N/A | $1,041,700 | 40.5% | 21.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 419, Westcliffe'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
Westcliffe is a small community located in Colorado, within Custer County. The total population is 419. It ranks as the 304th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Westcliffe is 54.4 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 9.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Westcliffe is $53,929. This is 44% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Westcliffe, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $341,800. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Westcliffe is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.9%) is well below the state average of 22.5%.
Education
30.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Westcliffe, 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 Westcliffe, Colorado?
Westcliffe, Colorado has a population of 419 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Westcliffe, CO?
The median household income in Westcliffe is $53,929, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Westcliffe, CO?
The poverty rate in Westcliffe is 6.6%. This means approximately 27 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Westcliffe, Colorado?
Westcliffe's population is 82.8% White, 0.0% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Westcliffe, CO?
The median home value in Westcliffe is $341,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Westcliffe, Colorado?
30.9% of adults (25+) in Westcliffe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.