City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Pagosa Springs, CO

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

1,718
Residents
$36,712
Median income
$353,800
Median home
$1,337
Median rent (state)

Pagosa Springs - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Pagosa Springs places in the 6th percentile for household income and the 26th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
26th
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: Pagosa Springs, CO

Pagosa Springs is a small town in Colorado, home to 1,718 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Pagosa Springs brings in $36,712 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 24.9%. Typical homes in Pagosa Springs are valued around $353,800, and the median resident age is 34.5 years. 23.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 32 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 19% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2297.6 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,337 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $202 across Colorado, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 34.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,718 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$36,712 /yr

Poverty 24.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Pagosa Springs compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 26% 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, Pagosa Springs ranks #72 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 Pagosa Springs 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 is Pagosa Springs's strongest outlier among Colorado cities

Among the 408 Colorado cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Pagosa Springs ranks #20 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Pagosa Springs only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#365 of 379
4th percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#265 of 408
35th percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#225 of 388
42nd percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#20 of 408
95th percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#268 of 408
34th 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.

6thIncome percentile
26thSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 26th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pagosa Springs's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pagosa Springs'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
Pagosa Springs'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 Pagosa Springs's home value compares nationally

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

$353,800 28th percentile more affordable than 28% 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. Pagosa Springs $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 - Pagosa Springs, CO Pagosa Springs, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pagosa Springs, 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 Pagosa Springs, CO median $36,712/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%
Pagosa Springs, 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 Pagosa Springs, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 24.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.3%

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

Population
1,718
Median Income
$36,712
Median Home Value
$353,800
Median Age
34.5
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Labor force participation
62.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2297.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
601.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1695.8
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.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,500 residents1,600 residents1,700 residents1,800 residents1,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,621 residents 1,838 residents ▲ +13.4%
Pagosa Springs's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
32
housing units authorized
Single-Family
32
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
18.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 27
2020 27
2021 32
2022 39
2023 29
2024 32

Permit volume increased 19% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
55.7%
Carpool
26.7%
Public Transit
2.7%
Walk
5.8%
Work from Home
8.3%
Other
0.8%

Based on 824 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 Pagosa Springs sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,337/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
34.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Ordway
1,718 people
Mountain
1,713 people
Elizabeth
1,694 people
Akron
1,681 people
Olathe
1,788 people
Colorado
1,791 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pagosa Springs's 1,718 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Langley, SC
1,718 people
Crosbyton, TX
1,718 people
Home, WA
1,718 people
Audubon Park, KY
1,717 people
Doe Valley, KY
1,719 people
Shannon, MS
1,719 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pagosa Springs's $36,712 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Deer Creek, AZ
$36,713 median income
Lake Gogebic, MI
$36,711 median income
Hampton, TN
$36,715 median income
Fort Pierce North, FL
$36,707 median income
Huetter, ID
$36,719 median income
Nash, TX
$36,705 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pagosa Springs, 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 Pagosa Springs, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.6% 32.5% 8.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 47.2% White 55.6% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 2.3% Some other race 32.5% Two or more races 8.1% 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 Pagosa Springs 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
Pagosa Springs (this city) 1,718 $36,712
Ordway 1,718 $55,313
Mountain 1,713 $59,881
Elizabeth 1,694 $110,227
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pagosa Springs, CO?

What is the population of Pagosa Springs, CO? +

Pagosa Springs, CO has a population of 1,718 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pagosa Springs, CO? +

The median household income in Pagosa Springs is $36,712 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pagosa Springs? +

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

Pagosa Springs has a total crime rate of 2297.6 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 Pagosa Springs, CO? +

Homes in Pagosa Springs carry a median value of $353,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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