City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Ouray, CO

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

1,031
Residents
$76,458
Median income
$549,200
Median home
$1,526
Median rent (state)

Ouray - the verdict

Nationally, Ouray sits in the 58th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
87th
percentile, home value
60th
percentile, median rent
83rd
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: Ouray, CO

Ouray is a small town in Colorado, home to 1,031 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $76,458 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Ouray's housing stock carries a median value of $549,200, and the median resident age is 54.2 years. 65.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 29 residential building permits were authorized in Ouray (Building Boom), up 142% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Ouray reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 539.4 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). NOAA puts Ouray's yearly average temperature at 44.2°F with 23.6 inches of precipitation per year and 126.4 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,526 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Colorado run around $202, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 17.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

1,031 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$76,458 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Ouray compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 87% pricier than other cities
Median rent 60% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% 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, Ouray ranks #15 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

Each percentile compares Ouray 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 Ouray near the bottom of Colorado's cities

Among the 408 Colorado cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Ouray ranks #302 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Ouray only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#201 of 379
47th percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#229 of 408
42nd percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#127 of 388
67th percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#302 of 408
0th percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#59 of 408
86th 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.

58thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ouray's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ouray'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 56 Avg. percentile National median
Ouray'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 Ouray's home value compares nationally

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

$549,200 13th percentile more affordable than 13% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Ouray $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 - Ouray, CO Ouray, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ouray, 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 Ouray, CO median $76,458/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%
Ouray, 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 Ouray, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 65.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.2%

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

Population
1,031
Median Income
$76,458
Median Home Value
$549,200
Median Age
54.2
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
57.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
65.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
539.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
539.4
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
44.2°F
Annual Precipitation
23.6"
Annual Snowfall
126.4"

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 →
890 residents900 residents910 residents920 residents930 residents940 residents 202020212022202320242025 899 residents 929 residents ▲ +3.3%
Ouray's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
29
housing units authorized
Single-Family
29
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
28.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 12
2021 15
2022 4
2023 4
2024 29

Permit volume increased 142% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
39.9%
Carpool
25.1%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
14.2%
Work from Home
18.1%
Other
2.0%

Based on 537 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 Ouray 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

Mancos
1,016 people
Sanford
1,047 people
Lazy Acres
1,056 people
Towaoc
1,058 people
Bow Mar
1,003 people
Gilcrest
987 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ouray's 1,031 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wakefield, KS
1,031 people
Morningside, MD
1,031 people
Mounds, OK
1,031 people
Paint, PA
1,031 people
Stratford, CA
1,030 people
Route 7 Gateway, CT
1,032 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ouray's $76,458 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mazon, IL
$76,458 median income
Germanton, NC
$76,458 median income
Hoople, ND
$76,458 median income
Leola, SD
$76,458 median income
Garrett, TX
$76,458 median income
Petersburg, AK
$76,466 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ouray, 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 Ouray, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.5% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.2% White 86.5% Black or African American 5.9% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 6.3% 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 Ouray 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
Ouray (this city) 1,031 $76,458
Mancos 1,016 $62,361
Sanford 1,047 $41,250
Lazy Acres 1,056 $147,344
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ouray, CO?

What is the population of Ouray, CO? +

The population of Ouray, CO stands at 1,031 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Ouray households earn a median of $76,458 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ouray? +

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

Ouray has a total crime rate of 539.4 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 Ouray, CO? +

A typical home in Ouray is worth $549,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Ouray? +

Ouray has an average annual temperature of 44.2°F, 23.6 inches of precipitation, and 126.4 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.