City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Montrose, CO

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

20,703
Residents
$63,177
Median income
$359,000
Median home
$1,526
Median rent (state)

Montrose - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Montrose lands in the 40th percentile for household income and the 23rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

40th
percentile, household income
73rd
percentile, home value
60th
percentile, median rent
23rd
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: Montrose, CO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 20,703 residents in Montrose, a small city within Colorado. The typical household in Montrose brings in $63,177 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.7%. Montrose's housing stock carries a median value of $359,000, and the median resident age is 45.9 years. About 33.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 52.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 155 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 10% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2451.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 42.7°F with 21.2 inches of precipitation per year.

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,526 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Colorado's average monthly utility costs around $202 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 17.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

20,703 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$63,177 /yr

Poverty 8.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Montrose compare to other US cities?

Here's how Montrose stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 73% pricier than other cities
Median rent 60% pricier than other cities
Safety 23% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Colorado and the picture shifts: Montrose ranks #76 of 116 Colorado cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Montrose'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.

40thIncome percentile
23rdSafety percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income · 23rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Montrose's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Montrose'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 32 Avg. percentile National median
Montrose'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 Montrose's home value compares nationally

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

$359,000 27th percentile more affordable than 27% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. Montrose $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 - Montrose, CO Montrose, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Montrose, 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 Montrose, CO median $63,177/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%
Montrose, 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 Montrose, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.2%

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

Population
20,703
Median Income
$63,177
Median Home Value
$359,000
Median Age
45.9
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Labor force participation
52.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2451.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
235.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2216.0
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
42.7°F
Annual Precipitation
21.2"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
20,000 residents20,500 residents21,000 residents21,500 residents22,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 20,393 residents 21,583 residents ▲ +5.8%
Montrose's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
155
housing units authorized
Single-Family
125
detached homes
Multifamily
30
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 141
2020 165
2021 285
2022 278
2023 233
2024 155

Permit volume increased 10% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.0%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.0%
Work from Home
10.3%
Other
2.1%

Based on 8,732 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 Montrose sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,526/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
17.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Louisville
20,788 people
Golden
20,467 people
Clifton
19,746 people
Four Square Mile
21,788 people
Sherrelwood
19,368 people
Durango
19,257 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Montrose's 20,703 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wade Hampton, SC
20,703 people
Grayslake, IL
20,707 people
Lockport, NY
20,699 people
Marquette, MI
20,691 people
West Pensacola, FL
20,679 people
Forest Lake, MN
20,678 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Montrose's $63,177 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Trowbridge Park, MI
$63,176 median income
St. Croix Falls, WI
$63,179 median income
St. Charles, AR
$63,173 median income
Arapahoe, NE
$63,173 median income
Lampasas, TX
$63,173 median income
Neopit, WI
$63,173 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Montrose, 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 Montrose, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.2% 12.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 20.7% White 82.2% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 1.0% American Indian 1.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.0% Two or more races 12.1% 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 Montrose 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
Montrose (this city) 20,703 $63,177
Louisville 20,788 $149,159
Golden 20,467 $95,913
Clifton 19,746 $54,301
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Montrose, CO?

What is the population of Montrose, CO? +

Montrose, CO counts 20,703 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Montrose is $63,177 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Montrose? +

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

Montrose has a total crime rate of 2451.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Montrose, CO? +

A typical home in Montrose is worth $359,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Montrose? +

The average annual temperature in Montrose runs 42.7°F, 21.2 inches of precipitation. 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 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.