City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Blue River, CO

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

1,145
Residents
$119,375
Median income
$1,171,900
Median home
$2,467
Median rent (state)

Blue River - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Blue River places in the 87th percentile for household income and the 97th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

87th
percentile, household income
98th
percentile, home value
91st
percentile, median rent
97th
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: Blue River, CO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,145 residents in Blue River, a small town within Colorado. Blue River households earn a median of $119,375 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.7%. Home values in Blue River run a median of $1,171,900, and the median resident age is 32.9 years. About 55.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 69.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 7 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 12% from five years earlier. Blue River reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 118.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Colorado carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Colorado at 103.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,467 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Colorado run around $202, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 60.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

1,145 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$119,375 /yr

Poverty 2.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Blue River compare to other US cities?

Blue River measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 87% higher than other cities
Home value 98% pricier than other cities
Median rent 91% pricier than other cities
Safety 97% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Colorado alone, Blue River ranks #1 of 116 Colorado cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Blue River'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.

87thIncome percentile
97thSafety percentile

87th percentile nationally for median household income · 97th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Blue River's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Blue River'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 63 Avg. percentile National median
Blue River'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 Blue River's home value compares nationally

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

$1,171,900 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. Blue River $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 - Blue River, CO Blue River, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Blue River, 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 Blue River, CO median $119,375/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%
Blue River, 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 Blue River, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 55.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.8%

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

Population
1,145
Median Income
$119,375
Median Home Value
$1,171,900
Median Age
32.9
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor force participation
69.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
55.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
118.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
118.5
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
855 residents860 residents865 residents870 residents875 residents880 residents 202020212022202320242025 872 residents 859 residents ▼ -1.5%
Blue River's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 3
2021 10
2022 14
2023 3
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 12% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
60.0%
Carpool
6.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.8%
Work from Home
28.4%

Based on 598 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 Blue River sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,467/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.2 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Hotchkiss
1,147 people
Cascade-Chipita Park
1,158 people
Howard
1,159 people
Aetna Estates
1,177 people
Keystone
1,111 people
Deer Trail
1,180 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Blue River's 1,145 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Monroeville, IN
1,145 people
Dellwood, MN
1,145 people
Blue Summit, MO
1,145 people
Pecos, NM
1,145 people
Duncansville, PA
1,145 people
Earlston, PA
1,145 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Blue River's $119,375 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kelley, IA
$119,375 median income
Bryant, WA
$119,371 median income
Fair Oaks, VA
$119,387 median income
Centerville, MN
$119,361 median income
Pasadena, MD
$119,393 median income
Hidden Meadows, CA
$119,394 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Blue River, 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 Blue River, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.4% 6.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.2% White 92.4% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 6.0% 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 Blue River 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
Blue River (this city) 1,145 $119,375
Hotchkiss 1,147 $58,125
Cascade-Chipita Park 1,158 $115,357
Howard 1,159 $57,664
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Blue River, CO?

What is the population of Blue River, CO? +

1,145 people live in Blue River, CO according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Blue River, CO? +

In Blue River, the typical household earns $119,375 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Blue River? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Blue River; 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 Blue River, CO safe? +

Blue River has a total crime rate of 118.5 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 Blue River, CO? +

A typical home in Blue River is worth $1,171,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.