County · Colorado
Bent County, Colorado
Bent County, Colorado. Bent County had 5,716 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.3% since 2020, slower than Colorado (+4.1%). It holds 3 places (1 city, village or borough and 2 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 08011.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,716
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,650 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,549
Median household income
$50,179
±$7,108 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$146,900
±$21,192 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$1,162
±$167 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
How many people live in Bent County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,650 residents in Bent County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,716 for July 1, 2025, up 1.3% since 2020, slower than Colorado (+4.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,549 over 1,513 square miles of land.
The yearly series starts from the Census Bureau's July 2020 estimate, 5,472, which differs from its April 2020 base of 5,643 (in 2020 the estimates dipped in many college and military towns), so the first step is large; the change since 2020 above is measured from the April base.
| Measure | Bent County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,549 | 5,862,189 | −238 |
| Households | 1,875±105 | 2,374,218 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.12 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,174±26 | 2,589,053 | no clear change |
Bent County's population since 2000
From 5,998 in 2000 to 5,716 in 2025: down 4.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bent County?
Bent County holds 3 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Las Animas with 2,325 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Las Animas | 2,300 | $51,875 |
|---|---|---|
| HastyGEOID 0834685 | 182 | not published |
| McClaveGEOID 0847235 | 129 | $59,236 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bent County?
The median resident of Bent County is 40.6 years old; 16.0% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 53.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 32.5%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bent County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6±1.4 | 37.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 16.0% | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9%±0.9 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 32.5% | 22.5% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 53.7%±2.5 pts | 64.8% | −9.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±1.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.4%±2.7 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±1.2 pts | 9.8% | −2.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.9%±2.2 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±3.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| With a disability | 18.6%±3.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.4%±3.2 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.9%±3.7 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.7%±2.9 pts | 45.7% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.3%±1.5 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±1.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bent County earn?
Half of Bent County's 1,875 households earn less than $50,179 a year (±$7,108), against $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 the median was $38,028 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,151 after inflation. 28.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bent County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,179±$7,108 | $95,470 | +$12,151 |
| Mean household income | $62,883±$6,924 | $128,255 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,556±$2,715 | $52,636 | +$5,412 |
| People below the poverty line | 28.4%±6.4 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 44.4%±12.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.4%±6.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.3%±5.5 pts | 93.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bent County?
Owners occupy 65.2% of Bent County's occupied homes and renters 34.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $146,900 by its owner (±$21,192). The median renter pays $1,162 a month including utilities, and 50.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bent County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $146,900±$21,192 | $539,400 | +$47,214 |
| Median gross rent | $1,162±$167 | $1,761 | +$371 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.8%±13.3 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,161±$118 | $2,326 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.2%±6.1 pts | 66.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,174±26 | 2,589,053 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.5%±2.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.0%±4.3 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.9%±2.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±1.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 28.3%±5.6 pts | 7.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bent County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Bent County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bent County get to work?
82.4% of Bent County's workers drive alone and 6.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes.
| Measure | Bent County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 38.2%±4.1 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±3.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.4%±4.6 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±4.8 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.4%±3.0 pts | 21.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±4.8 | 25.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Bent County's census tracts?
Bent County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,642 (Tract 9667.01) to $55,172 (Tract 9667.02).
| Tract 9667.0108011966701 | 1,740±138 | $47,642 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9667.0208011966702 | 3,809±138 | $55,172 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bent County compare with Colorado's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 50th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 36th of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 48th of 64 |
| Median household income | 59th of 64 |
| Median home value | 62nd of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 32nd of 63 |
| Poverty rate | 1st of 63 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 63rd of 64 |
| Median age | 38th of 64 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bent County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.