City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Gunnison, CO

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

6,712
Residents
$55,313
Median income
$432,200
Median home
$1,334
Median rent (state)

Gunnison - the verdict

Nationally, Gunnison sits in the 28th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

28th
percentile, household income
80th
percentile, home value
48th
percentile, median rent
7th
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: Gunnison, CO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 6,712 residents in Gunnison, a small town within Colorado. Median household income here is $55,313 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.1%. Home values in Gunnison run a median of $432,200, and the median resident age is 26.1 years. 54.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 71.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 86% from five years earlier. Gunnison's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4161.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Gunnison's yearly average temperature at 37.7°F with 10.6 inches of precipitation per year and 45.5 inches of snowfall.

Colorado carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 103.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,334 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Colorado run around $202, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Gunnison workers runs 19.8 minutes, with 47.5% driving alone and 6.9% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 45.0 out of 100 (Low).

Population

6,712 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$55,313 /yr

Poverty 12.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Gunnison compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 80% pricier than other cities
Median rent 48% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% 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, Gunnison ranks #101 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

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

Colorado-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Gunnison toward the top of Colorado's cities

Among the 408 Colorado cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Gunnison ranks #83 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Gunnison only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#289 of 379
23rd percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#267 of 408
34th percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#174 of 388
55th percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#83 of 408
80th percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#104 of 408
75th 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.

28thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gunnison's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gunnison'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 24 Avg. percentile National median
Gunnison'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 Gunnison's home value compares nationally

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

$432,200 20th percentile more affordable than 20% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $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. Gunnison $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 - Gunnison, CO Gunnison, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gunnison, 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 Gunnison, CO median $55,313/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%
Gunnison, 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 Gunnison, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 54.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 71.5%

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

Population
6,712
Median Income
$55,313
Median Home Value
$432,200
Median Age
26.1
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Labor force participation
71.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
54.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4161.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
391.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3769.8
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
37.7°F
Annual Precipitation
10.6"
Annual Snowfall
45.5"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,500 residents6,600 residents6,700 residents6,800 residents6,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,575 residents 6,836 residents ▲ +4.0%
Gunnison's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 72
2020 104
2021 41
2022 31
2023 29
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 86% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.8 minutes
Drive Alone
47.5%
Carpool
20.3%
Public Transit
12.4%
Walk
11.4%
Work from Home
6.9%
Other
1.5%

Based on 3,889 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 Gunnison sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,334/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.0 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Air Force Academy
6,701 people
Orchard Mesa
6,597 people
Aspen
6,862 people
Carbondale
6,553 people
Dacono
6,419 people
Stratmoor
6,396 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gunnison's 6,712 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Delano, MN
6,712 people
Oakmont, PA
6,712 people
South Run, VA
6,714 people
Gateway, AK
6,716 people
Purcell, OK
6,716 people
Liberty Hill, TX
6,706 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gunnison's $55,313 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Garden City, AL
$55,313 median income
Mitchell, IL
$55,313 median income
Donnellson, IA
$55,313 median income
Carsonville, MI
$55,313 median income
Milton, NH
$55,313 median income
Fairmount, ND
$55,313 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gunnison, 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 Gunnison, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.9% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.6% White 85.9% Black or African American 2.7% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 8.5% 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 Gunnison 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
Gunnison (this city) 6,712 $55,313
Air Force Academy 6,701 $93,889
Orchard Mesa 6,597 $76,173
Aspen 6,862 $78,636
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gunnison, CO?

What is the population of Gunnison, CO? +

The population of Gunnison, CO stands at 6,712 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Gunnison runs $55,313, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gunnison? +

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

Gunnison has a total crime rate of 4161.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Gunnison, CO? +

A typical home in Gunnison is worth $432,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Gunnison? +

The average annual temperature in Gunnison runs 37.7°F, 10.6 inches of precipitation, and 45.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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