County · Colorado
La Plata County, Colorado
La Plata County, Colorado. La Plata County had 56,898 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% since 2020, slower than Colorado (+4.1%). It holds 5 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 08067.
La Plata County is the county of the Durango, CO micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
56,898
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 55,638 · ACS 2020-2024: 56,331
Median household income
$86,056
±$3,029 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$591,500
±$21,396 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$1,504
±$91 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
How many people live in La Plata County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 55,638 residents in La Plata County. The Census Bureau estimates 56,898 for July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, slower than Colorado (+4.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 56,331 over 1,690 square miles of land.
| Measure | La Plata County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 56,331 | 5,862,189 | +714 |
| Households | 24,378±505 | 2,374,218 | +2,584 |
| Average household size | 2.24±0.05 | 2.42 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 28,990±47 | 2,589,053 | +1,165 |
La Plata County's population since 2000
From 43,941 in 2000 to 56,898 in 2025: up 29.5%. 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 La Plata County?
La Plata County holds 5 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Durango with 19,733 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 La Plata County?
The median resident of La Plata County is 43.2 years old; 17.5% are under 18 and 20.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 12.9%. 3.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | La Plata County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2±0.4 | 37.7 | +2.8 |
| Under 18 years | 17.5% | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.8%±0.1 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.9% | 22.5% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.1%±0.7 pts | 64.8% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 4.6%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±0.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.1%±0.6 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.5%±1.0 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±0.9 pts | 7.5% | – |
| With a disability | 10.6%±1.0 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2%±1.0 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.5%±0.7 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 49.3%±2.2 pts | 45.7% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.2%±1.7 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.6%±1.1 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 La Plata County earn?
Half of La Plata County's 24,378 households earn less than $86,056 a year (±$3,029), against $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 it was $84,530 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | La Plata County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,056±$3,029 | $95,470 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $113,780±$4,911 | $128,255 | – |
| Per capita income | $49,353±$1,984 | $52,636 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.7%±1.4 pts | 9.4% | +2.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.9%±4.0 pts | 11.1% | +5.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.7%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0%±1.4 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 La Plata County?
Owners occupy 70.9% of La Plata County's occupied homes and renters 29.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $591,500 by its owner (±$21,396). The median renter pays $1,504 a month including utilities, and 43.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | La Plata County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $591,500±$21,396 | $539,400 | +$104,638 |
| Median gross rent | $1,504±$91 | $1,761 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.8%±5.9 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,100±$80 | $2,326 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.9%±2.1 pts | 66.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 28,990±47 | 2,589,053 | +1,165 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±2.5 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.5%±2.2 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.7%±1.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.7%±1.2 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 La Plata County building?
Builders took permits for 376 new housing units across La Plata County in 2025 (188 single-family), 6.6 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 La Plata County get to work?
66.1% of La Plata County's workers drive alone and 18.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | La Plata County | Colorado | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.9%±1.3 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.1 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.1%±2.1 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±1.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Walked | 4.5%±1.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.1%±1.7 pts | 21.0% | +9.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min±0.8 | 25.2 min | −1.2 min |
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 La Plata County's census tracts?
La Plata County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $68,036 (Tract 9707.06) to $110,640 (Tract 9707.01).
| Tract 940308067940300 | 6,093±516 | $72,850 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 940408067940400 | 5,841±468 | $83,936 |
| Tract 9706.0108067970601 | 3,677±546 | $85,290 |
| Tract 9706.0208067970602 | 5,985±334 | $93,477 |
| Tract 9707.0108067970701 | 5,083±489 | $110,640 |
| Tract 9707.0308067970703 | 6,016±848 | $88,393 |
| Tract 9707.0508067970705 | 2,586±460 | $75,781 |
| Tract 9707.0608067970706 | 1,483±267 | $68,036 |
| Tract 970808067970800 | 7,587±512 | $84,815 |
| Tract 970908067970900 | 4,128±448 | $81,392 |
| Tract 971008067971000 | 3,385±521 | $83,006 |
| Tract 971108067971100 | 4,467±661 | $69,633 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does La Plata County compare with Colorado's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 14th of 64 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 31st of 64 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th of 64 |
| Median household income | 23rd of 64 |
| Median home value | 17th of 64 |
| Median gross rent | 22nd of 63 |
| Poverty rate | 26th of 63 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19th of 64 |
| Median age | 27th 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 La Plata 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.