City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Durango, CO

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

19,257
Residents
$79,545
Median income
$609,700
Median home
$1,589
Median rent (state)

Durango - the verdict

Nationally, Durango sits in the 61st percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

61st
percentile, household income
90th
percentile, home value
63rd
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Durango, CO

19,257 people live in Durango, Colorado - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $79,545 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.6%. Typical homes in Durango are valued around $609,700, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. About 58.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 49 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 62% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 47.4°F with 19.6 inches of precipitation per year and 63.7 inches of snowfall.

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,589 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Colorado's average monthly utility costs around $202 (state average). The average commute for Durango workers runs 12.1 minutes, with 63.7% driving alone and 14.1% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 75.2 out of 100 (High).

Population

19,257 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$79,545 /yr

Poverty 10.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Durango compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 61% higher than other cities
Home value 90% pricier than other cities
Median rent 63% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Durango against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Colorado only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Colorado-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Durango toward the top of Colorado's cities

Among the 408 Colorado cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Durango ranks #80 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Durango only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#192 of 379
49th percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#213 of 408
47th percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#103 of 388
73rd percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#98 of 408
75th percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#80 of 408
80th percentile in Colorado

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Colorado only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

61stIncome percentile

61st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Durango's home value compares nationally

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

$609,700 10th percentile more affordable than 10% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Durango $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 - Durango, CO Durango, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Durango, 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 Durango, CO median $79,545/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%
Durango, 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 Durango, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 58.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.6%

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

Population
19,257
Median Income
$79,545
Median Home Value
$609,700
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Labor force participation
64.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
58.3%

Climate

Avg Temperature
47.4°F
Annual Precipitation
19.6"
Annual Snowfall
63.7"

Schools

Total Schools
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
19,000 residents19,500 residents20,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 19,112 residents 19,733 residents ▲ +3.2%
Durango's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
49
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
35
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 129
2020 80
2021 170
2022 168
2023 196
2024 49

Permit volume decreased 62% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
12.1 minutes
Drive Alone
63.7%
Carpool
6.0%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
9.4%
Work from Home
14.1%
Other
5.8%

Based on 10,827 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 Durango sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,589/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Sherrelwood
19,368 people
Cimarron Hills
18,808 people
Clifton
19,746 people
Fort Carson
18,447 people
Johnstown
18,075 people
Golden
20,467 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Durango's 19,257 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Tinton Falls, NJ
19,252 people
Valle Vista, CA
19,263 people
Holtsville, NY
19,250 people
Hermosa Beach, CA
19,248 people
St. Michael, MN
19,267 people
Maitland, FL
19,268 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Durango's $79,545 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Waverly, WV
$79,539 median income
Hadley, NY
$79,554 median income
Dayton, OR
$79,556 median income
Ramsey, IN
$79,559 median income
Northlake, SC
$79,531 median income
White Knoll, SC
$79,531 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Durango, 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 Durango, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.1% 7.5% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.2% White 82.1% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 1.1% American Indian 7.5% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 7.0% 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 Durango 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
Durango (this city) 19,257 $79,545
Sherrelwood 19,368 $73,849
Cimarron Hills 18,808 $75,853
Clifton 19,746 $54,301
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Durango, CO?

What is the population of Durango, CO? +

Durango, CO has a population of 19,257 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Durango, the typical household earns $79,545 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Durango? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Durango; 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.

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

Durango's median home value sits at $609,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Durango? +

The average annual temperature in Durango runs 47.4°F, 19.6 inches of precipitation, and 63.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, 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

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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.