City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Telluride, CO

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

2,595
Residents
$97,330
Median income
$390,300
Median home
$1,526
Median rent (state)

Telluride - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Telluride places in the 76th percentile for household income and the 51st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

76th
percentile, household income
76th
percentile, home value
60th
percentile, median rent
51st
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: Telluride, CO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,595 residents in Telluride, a small town within Colorado. Median household income here is $97,330 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Telluride's housing stock carries a median value of $390,300, and the median resident age is 42.4 years. 85.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 68.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 12 residential building permits were authorized in Telluride (Slowing), down 20% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Telluride reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1323.7 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 38.1°F with 20.4 inches of precipitation per year and 130.8 inches of snowfall.

Colorado carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Colorado scores 103.1 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,526 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $202 across Colorado, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 17.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,595 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$97,330 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Telluride compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 76% higher than other cities
Home value 76% pricier than other cities
Median rent 60% pricier than other cities
Safety 51% 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, Telluride ranks #52 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 Telluride 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 Telluride near the bottom of Colorado's cities

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

Median Household Income
#124 of 379
67th percentile in Colorado
Median Gross Rent
#229 of 408
42nd percentile in Colorado
Median Home Value
#196 of 388
49th percentile in Colorado
Poverty Rate
#302 of 408
0th percentile in Colorado
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#9 of 408
98th 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.

76thIncome percentile
51stSafety percentile

76th percentile nationally for median household income · 51st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Telluride's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Telluride'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 53 Avg. percentile National median
Telluride'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 Telluride's home value compares nationally

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

$390,300 24th percentile more affordable than 24% 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. Telluride $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 - Telluride, CO Telluride, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Telluride, 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 Telluride, CO median $97,330/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%
Telluride, 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 Telluride, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 85.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.9%

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

Population
2,595
Median Income
$97,330
Median Home Value
$390,300
Median Age
42.4
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
68.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
85.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1323.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1323.7
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
38.1°F
Annual Precipitation
20.4"
Annual Snowfall
130.8"

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 →
2,400 residents2,450 residents2,500 residents2,550 residents2,600 residents2,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,617 residents 2,454 residents ▼ -6.2%
Telluride's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
12
housing units authorized
Single-Family
12
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 15
2020 16
2021 36
2022 10
2023 32
2024 12

Permit volume decreased 20% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
14.9%
Carpool
3.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
43.6%
Work from Home
26.6%
Other
11.7%

Based on 1,551 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 Telluride 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

Palisade
2,580 people
Rangely
2,572 people
Leadville
2,634 people
Palmer Lake
2,635 people
Park Center
2,544 people
Holly Hills
2,652 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Telluride's 2,595 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Holley, FL
2,595 people
Alden, NY
2,595 people
Allendale, SC
2,595 people
Palmhurst, TX
2,595 people
Jesup, IA
2,596 people
Yardley, PA
2,596 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Telluride's $97,330 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

West Glens Falls, NY
$97,333 median income
Markleeville, CA
$97,321 median income
Aberdeen, IN
$97,344 median income
Newcastle, OK
$97,315 median income
Barnstable, MA
$97,348 median income
Nephi, UT
$97,348 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Telluride, 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 Telluride, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.6% White 95.1% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 1.2% 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 Telluride 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
Telluride (this city) 2,595 $97,330
Palisade 2,580 $61,655
Rangely 2,572 $75,044
Leadville 2,634 $83,875
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Telluride, CO?

What is the population of Telluride, CO? +

2,595 people live in Telluride, CO according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Telluride runs $97,330, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Telluride? +

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

Telluride has a total crime rate of 1323.7 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 Telluride, CO? +

Homes in Telluride carry a median value of $390,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Telluride? +

The average annual temperature in Telluride runs 38.1°F, 20.4 inches of precipitation, and 130.8 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.