City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Rifle, CO

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

10,466
Residents
$80,629
Median income
$377,900
Median home
$1,605
Median rent (state)

Rifle - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Rifle places in the 62nd percentile for household income and the 52nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

62nd
percentile, household income
75th
percentile, home value
64th
percentile, median rent
52nd
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: Rifle, CO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 10,466 residents in Rifle, a small town within Colorado. Rifle households earn a median of $80,629 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.2%. Typical homes in Rifle are valued around $377,900, and the median resident age is 32.3 years. About 18.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 75.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 18 residential building permits were authorized in Rifle (Rapid Growth), up 38% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Rifle reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1310.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Rifle's yearly average temperature at 46.4°F with 12.8 inches of precipitation per year and 26.8 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 $1,605 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Colorado's average monthly utility costs around $202 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 64.5 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

10,466 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$80,629 /yr

Poverty 3.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Rifle compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 62% higher than other cities
Home value 75% pricier than other cities
Median rent 64% pricier than other cities
Safety 52% 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, Rifle ranks #49 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 Rifle 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 Rifle toward the bottom of Colorado's cities

Among the 408 Colorado cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Rifle ranks #318 - the 22nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Rifle only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#190 of 379
50th percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#206 of 408
48th percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#200 of 388
48th percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#234 of 408
42nd percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#318 of 408
22nd 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.

62ndIncome percentile
52ndSafety percentile

62nd percentile nationally for median household income · 52nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rifle's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rifle'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 48 Avg. percentile National median
Rifle'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 Rifle's home value compares nationally

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

$377,900 25th percentile more affordable than 25% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Rifle $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 - Rifle, CO Rifle, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rifle, 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 Rifle, CO median $80,629/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%
Rifle, 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 Rifle, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 75.9%

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

Population
10,466
Median Income
$80,629
Median Home Value
$377,900
Median Age
32.3
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Labor force participation
75.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1310.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
301.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1008.8
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
46.4°F
Annual Precipitation
12.8"
Annual Snowfall
26.8"

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 →
10,200 residents10,400 residents10,600 residents10,800 residents11,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,436 residents 10,844 residents ▲ +3.9%
Rifle's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
18
housing units authorized
Single-Family
18
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 13
2020 75
2021 97
2022 13
2023 24
2024 18

Permit volume increased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.6%
Carpool
16.2%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
6.2%
Other
1.3%

Based on 5,781 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 Rifle sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,605/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
64.5 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Gunbarrel
10,424 people
Edwards
10,415 people
Fairmount
10,521 people
Glenwood Springs
10,171 people
Berkley
10,838 people
Cherry Creek
11,011 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rifle's 10,466 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chestnut Ridge, NY
10,464 people
Lighthouse Point, FL
10,463 people
La Plata, MD
10,470 people
Somers Point, NJ
10,461 people
Española, NM
10,472 people
Marlton, NJ
10,473 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rifle's $80,629 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hayden, AL
$80,625 median income
Yakutat, AK
$80,625 median income
Bostwick, GA
$80,625 median income
Wheatfield, IN
$80,625 median income
Interlochen, MI
$80,625 median income
Rensselaer, MO
$80,625 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rifle, 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 Rifle, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.3% 7.5% 20.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 41.9% White 70.3% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 7.5% Two or more races 20.1% 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 Rifle 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
Rifle (this city) 10,466 $80,629
Gunbarrel 10,424 $111,506
Edwards 10,415 $90,735
Fairmount 10,521 $163,785
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rifle, CO?

What is the population of Rifle, CO? +

10,466 people live in Rifle, CO according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Rifle households earn a median of $80,629 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rifle? +

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

Rifle has a total crime rate of 1310.5 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 Rifle, CO? +

The median home value in Rifle is $377,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Rifle? +

Climate normals put Rifle's yearly average temperature at 46.4°F, 12.8 inches of precipitation, and 26.8 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.