County · Colorado
Chaffee County, Colorado
Chaffee County, Colorado. Chaffee County had 20,831 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.0% since 2020, faster than Colorado (+4.1%). It holds 8 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 08015.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,831
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,476 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,178
Median household income
$84,132
±$7,235 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$665,700
±$24,286 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$1,611
±$249 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
How many people live in Chaffee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,476 residents in Chaffee County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,831 for July 1, 2025, up 7.0% since 2020, faster than Colorado (+4.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,178 over 1,013 square miles of land.
| Measure | Chaffee County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,178 | 5,862,189 | +621 |
| Households | 9,863±226 | 2,374,218 | +1,632 |
| Average household size | 1.90±0.04 | 2.42 | −0.31 |
| Housing units | 11,482±275 | 2,589,053 | +418 |
Chaffee County's population since 2000
From 16,242 in 2000 to 20,831 in 2025: up 28.3%. 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 Chaffee County?
Chaffee County holds 8 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Salida with 5,985 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Salida | 5,666 | $70,045 |
|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista | 2,855 | $78,323 |
| Poncha SpringsGEOID 0860600 | 925 | $97,139 |
| Johnson VillageGEOID 0839800 | 299 | not published |
| NathropGEOID 0853010 | 288 | $30,040 |
| MaysvilleGEOID 0849490 | 173 | not published |
| SmeltertownGEOID 0871625 | 88 | not published |
| GarfieldGEOID 0829295 | 27 | not published |
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 Chaffee County?
The median resident of Chaffee County is 48.7 years old; 13.9% are under 18 and 26.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.8%. 2.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chaffee County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.7±0.8 | 37.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 13.9%±0.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.3%±0.6 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.8% | 22.5% | −0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.2%±0.6 pts | 64.8% | −0.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.7 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.5%±1.0 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.2%±1.1 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±1.3 pts | 7.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.4%±2.2 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5%±1.8 pts | 7.7% | −3.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7%±1.4 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 47.0%±3.4 pts | 45.7% | +13.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.7%±2.8 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.9 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 Chaffee County earn?
Half of Chaffee County's 9,863 households earn less than $84,132 a year (±$7,235), against $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 the median was $68,637 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $15,495 after inflation. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chaffee County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $84,132±$7,235 | $95,470 | +$15,495 |
| Mean household income | $105,166±$7,168 | $128,255 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,535±$3,281 | $52,636 | +$11,827 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3%±2.3 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.0%±5.1 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.0%±2.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7%±2.8 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 Chaffee County?
Owners occupy 74.1% of Chaffee County's occupied homes and renters 25.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $665,700 by its owner (±$24,286). The median renter pays $1,611 a month including utilities, and 45.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chaffee County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $665,700±$24,286 | $539,400 | +$225,358 |
| Median gross rent | $1,611±$249 | $1,761 | +$465 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.6%±12.8 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,957±$113 | $2,326 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.1%±3.5 pts | 66.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,482±275 | 2,589,053 | +418 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5%±2.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.8%±3.2 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.4%±1.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.2%±1.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.2%±2.1 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 Chaffee County building?
Builders took permits for 175 new housing units across Chaffee County in 2025 (167 single-family), 8.4 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 Chaffee County get to work?
59.6% of Chaffee County's workers drive alone and 24.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Chaffee County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.8%±2.5 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±2.8 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 59.6%±5.0 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4%±2.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.5%±1.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 24.5%±4.8 pts | 21.0% | +11.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.1 min±2.7 | 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 Chaffee County's census tracts?
Chaffee County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,080 (Tract 1) to $99,760 (Tract 4.03).
| Tract 108015000100 | 2,573±393 | $56,080 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 208015000200 | 4,985±416 | $95,375 |
| Tract 308015000300 | 3,299±351 | $90,156 |
| Tract 4.0208015000402 | 3,988±435 | $61,796 |
| Tract 4.0308015000403 | 2,627±477 | $99,760 |
| Tract 4.0408015000404 | 2,706±359 | $99,335 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Chaffee County compare with Colorado's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 26th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 25th of 64 |
| Median household income | 26th of 64 |
| Median home value | 10th of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 20th of 63 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 63 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21st of 64 |
| Median age | 13th 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 Chaffee 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.