City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Basalt, CO

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Basalt - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,995
Residents
$106,000
Median income
$1,148,100
Median home
$2,214
Median rent (state)

Basalt - the verdict

Nationally, Basalt sits in the 81st percentile for household income and the 46th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
98th
percentile, home value
87th
percentile, median rent
46th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Basalt, CO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,995 residents in Basalt, a small town within Colorado. The typical household in Basalt brings in $106,000 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.0%. Basalt's housing stock carries a median value of $1,148,100, and the median resident age is 43.6 years. Educational attainment runs 59.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 76.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 4 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 83% from five years earlier. Basalt reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1495.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Colorado carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Colorado scores 103.1 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,214 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $202 across Colorado, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 54.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

3,995 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$106,000 /yr

Poverty 2.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Basalt compare to other US cities?

Where Basalt sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 98% pricier than other cities
Median rent 87% pricier than other cities
Safety 46% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Colorado, Basalt ranks #54 of 116 Colorado cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Basalt's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Colorado, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

81stIncome percentile
46thSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 46th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Basalt's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Basalt's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 45 Avg. percentile National median
Basalt's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Basalt's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$1,148,100 2nd percentile more affordable than 2% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Basalt $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Basalt, CO Basalt, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Basalt, CO-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Basalt, CO median $106,000/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Basalt, CO's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Basalt, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 59.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 76.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,995
Median Income
$106,000
Median Home Value
$1,148,100
Median Age
43.6
Poverty Rate
2.0%
Labor force participation
76.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
59.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1495.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
174.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1321.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,950 residents4,000 residents4,050 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,966 residents 4,009 residents ▲ +1.1%
Basalt's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 24
2020 25
2021 30
2022 25
2023 26
2024 4

Permit volume decreased 83% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.5%
Carpool
9.1%
Public Transit
7.7%
Walk
5.2%
Work from Home
8.4%
Other
1.1%

Based on 2,595 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Colorado - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$90
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$202
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Colorado state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Colorado state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Basalt sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,214/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
54.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Penrose
3,978 people
El Jebel
3,935 people
Florence
3,870 people
Rocky Ford
3,843 people
Genesee
3,826 people
Monte Vista
4,178 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Basalt's 3,995 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Trappe, PA
3,995 people
Brownsville, LA
3,996 people
Falmouth, MA
3,996 people
South Haven, MI
3,994 people
Indian Head Park, IL
3,992 people
St. Bernard, OH
3,998 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Basalt's $106,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Croweburg, KS
$106,000 median income
Remy, OK
$106,000 median income
Cathcart, WA
$106,000 median income
Gahanna, OH
$106,004 median income
Lakeland Highlands, FL
$106,012 median income
Gibsonville, NC
$105,981 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Basalt, CO Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Basalt, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.7% 8.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% White 89.7% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 8.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Basalt compares to nearby Colorado cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Basalt (this city) 3,995 $106,000
Penrose 3,978 $75,109
El Jebel 3,935 $100,518
Florence 3,870 $57,239
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Basalt, CO?

What is the population of Basalt, CO? +

3,995 people live in Basalt, CO according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Basalt, CO? +

The median household income in Basalt is $106,000 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Basalt? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Basalt; the closest available measure is the Colorado state average, a cost of living index of 103.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Colorado vary by metro area.

Is Basalt, CO safe? +

Basalt has a total crime rate of 1495.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Basalt, CO? +

Basalt's median home value sits at $1,148,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.