Colorado by the Numbers:
Key Statistical Data and Facts
Key Details
- Colorado is the 21st most populous state in the United States, with 5.8 million residents and a median age of 36.7 years. The average home value is $397,500.
- As of April 2023, Colorado had an unemployment rate of 2.8%, lower than the national level of 3.6%.
- Between 2017-2021, 92.4% of Coloradans over 25 had at least a high school diploma, and 42.8% had at least a Bachelor's degree.
- The median income in Colorado is $80,184, with those aged 45-64 having the highest median income at $96,439.
Colorado Population Demographics
Colorado is the 21st most populous state in the United States. Spanning 104,094 sq mi, it's also the eighth largest state. As of 2022, the Centennial State was estimated to house about 5,839,926 people with a median age of 36.7 years. Roughly 21% of Colorado’s population was estimated to be under 18 years of age, and 5.1% of the state’s population was estimated to be under five years old. Conversely, approximately 15% of the state’s population was estimated to be above 65 years of age. Per 2022 census data, about 49.3% of Colorado’s population was estimated to be female.
Colorado Housing
Colorado Racial Demographics
As of 2022, Asians make up 3.6% of Colorado's population, while Native Alaskans/American Indians and African Americans make up 1.7% and 4.7%, respectively. Whites (including Latinos and Hispanics) constitute up to 86.7% of the state, while persons with two or more races accounted for 3.3%. Between 2017 and 2021, 9.5% of the population consisted of foreign-born persons.
| Race | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 86.5% |
| African American | 4.7% |
| Hispanic | 22% |
| Native American | 1.7% |
| Asian | 3.6% |
| Native Hawaain | 0.2% |
Elections in Colorado
Between 1975 and 2022, political leadership in Colorado tilted towards the democrat. Colorado elected only one Republican governor (Bill Owens) during the period. Bill Owens served two terms in the governor's house, between 1999 to 2007.
Between 2002 and 2010, the state had two Democratic governors (Bill Ritter and John Hickenlooper) in consecutive succession. Hickenlooper defeated Republican candidates Dan Maes and Bob Beauprez, respectively, in 2010 and 2014. In 2018, Jared Polis, another Democrat, emerged as the state’s governor over Walker Stapleton. Jared Polis has been the governor of Colorado from 2018 till date.
In the Senate, Colorado is represented by democrats John Hickenlooper and Micheal Bennet. Bennett first emerged in the 2019 senatorial election; he was elected in 2016. Hickenlooper, on the other hand, emerged in 2021 over Republican Cory Gardner, who was the incumbent.
2020 Presidential Election
In the 2020 presidential elections, democratic candidate Joe Biden won with about 55% of the vote. The state delivered the victory to Biden and Kamala Harris with a 13.05% victory margin. This victory consolidated the belief that Colorado is a Democratic stronghold, alongside their governorship choices in the last two decades.
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
Colorado Voting Statistics
The Colorado secretary of state recorded a total number of 99,086 registered voters in May 2023. As of April, the data establishes about 413,161 active voters in the state. Another document of the all-time active voter data in Colorado reveals about 1,053,677 registered Democrat voters, 931,616 registered Republican voters, and 1,786,841 unaffiliated voters in the state.
Voters Turnout
During the 2022 general elections, Colorado had a voter turnout of 66.79%. Numerically, this translates to 2,564,519 out of the 3,839,814 registered active voters in the state. Similarly, the state had a record of 56.7% of eligible voters turnout in the 2022 general elections.
In the 2020 general election, Colorado recorded a 76.4% voter turnout, with a total of 3,244,772 ballots cast out of a possible 4,239,479. Voter turnout during the 2018 and 2014 elections was lower, recorded at 63.8% and 54.5%, respectively. The 2016 election had a similar turnout to 2020, with a 75.4% voter turnout rate.
| Year | Voter Turnout | Turnout Percentage (Voting Age Population) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,564,519 | 56.7% |
| 2020 | 3,244,772 | 76.4% |
| 2018 | 2,578,274 | 63.8% |
| 2016 | 2,887,927 | 75.4% |
| 2014 | 1,103,797 | 54.5% |
| 2012 | 2,540,333 | 71.1% |
| 2010 | 1,326,086 | 54.7% |
| 2008 | 2,415,474 | 91.1% |
How Educated Is Colorado
According to the United Census Bureau, between 2017-2022, 92.4% of residents in Colorado above 25 years old had at least a high school diploma. In the same time frame, about 42.8% of the people of Colorado older than 25 years old had a Bachelor’s degree. In 2021 alone, about 27.4% of the people aged 25 and above in Colorado reportedly started a Bachelor's degree program.
As of 2022, Colorado has about 891,084 pupils enrolled in public education in the state. Also, the state reportedly spends about $11,620 per pupil through grade 12. The state also reportedly has a teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1 to 17, a value higher than the national average of one teacher to 16 pupils. Finally, Colorado reportedly had a high graduation rate of 81% in 2019.
Highest Level of Education Attained
As of 2021, about 20.1% of the people in Colorado have had a high school diploma – or an equivalent degree – as their highest level of education. The state has over 100 institutions of higher learning, including government-owned universities and private colleges.
By enrollment, the University of Colorado Boulder is the largest in the state. The University has an alumni population of over 513,000. The University has an enrollment volume that averages 39,000 people. It is closely followed by Colorado State University in Fort Collins, with an average enrollment volume of 32,586 people. The University of Colorado in Denver is the third on the list, with about 24,267 enrollments in an admission calendar.
Colorado Employment Rate
In March 2023, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics documented the unemployment rate in Colorado to be 2.8%, a figure slightly lower than the National unemployment rate of 3.6%.
Colorado's non-farm sector created over 4.3 million jobs in March 2023. This includes 3,724,800 jobs from the private business sector. Though Colorado’s unemployment rate was relatively stable before March 2023, there was a marginal increase between December 2022 (3.3%) and February 2023 (3.5%).
Managerial occupations represent the largest employers of labor in Colorado, with a total of 2,766,420 jobs, across government and non-governmental sectors. The office and administrative support trail was just a little behind, with about 322,650 jobs across industries. Sales and related occupations represent a close third, with about 294,340 job contributions to the employment percentage.
Food preparation and hospitality-related occupations also represent a significant percentage, with 254,820. Other major job niches include Business and financial operations, with 247,150 jobs; the Transportations and materials movement, with 205,860 jobs; construction and extraction occupations, with about 141,200 jobs; and Installation repair and maintenance occupations, with 104,160 jobs.
Similarly, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment recorded a significant drop in job growth in the state. Between February 2023 and March 2023, jobs in Colorado significantly dropped by 4700. Compared to March 2022, there have been 33700 extra jobs added to the job market in Colorado.
According to the press release made by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the counties with the lowest unemployment rates in March include the Philips, Yuma, Kit Carson, and Baca counties. These counties have unemployment rates as low as 1.7%, 1.6%, 1.4%, and 1.5%, respectively.
Colorado Counties with relatively high unemployment rates in March – even higher than the National average – include Freemont, Huerfano, Pueblo, Costilla, Las Animas, and Delta. These counties have unemployment rates of 4.4%, 5.6%, 3.8%, 3.8%, 4.0%, and 3.6%, respectively.
Average Income in Colorado
According to the United State Census Bureau, the median income between 2017 and 2021 in Colorado was $80,184. The specific figure for 2021 – according to the American Community Survey – was $82,254, about $12,537 higher than the National average.
Per person, the average income in Colorado between 2017 and 2021 was estimated to be $42,807. These figures leave the poverty rate in the state to be less than 10%. Different factors like the level of education and the predominant occupation per county may cause the income to differ with Counties.
As of 2018, for instance, Douglas County was estimated to have a median household income of $115,314. With a $96,658 median household income, El-Paso County trailed closely behind Douglas County. Finally, Costilla County, at the financial pole to Douglas, had a median household income of $30,593.
Data published by the United States Department of Justice revealed that – as of April 2023 – the median income by a family with one earner in Colorado is $75,710. For a family with two earners, the median income was recorded as $98,365; a family of three earners was recorded to have a median income of about $113,822.
Finally, according to the 2021 US census, the median household income of people younger than 25 years old is $43,365. For those older than 25 years old but less than 44 years old, the median income age was estimated at $87,239. The demographic with the highest median income falls between 45 to 64 years old. The median income for this age range was estimated to be $96,439, about $38,169 higher than the estimated amount for adults older than 64 years old.
Families in Colorado
Colorado Marriage Rates
According to the CDC, in 2021, Colorado had a marriage rate of 7.4 marriages per 1000 persons. This is higher compared to the National estimates at six per 1000 marriages. It is also a considerable increase compared to data from the previous year, which was 6.7 marriages for every 1000 people.
While the marriage rate declined from 9.8 marriages per thousand people in 1990, the median marriage rate of 6.9 marriages per 1000 people recorded in 1990 is lower than the figure recorded in 2021.
According to the American Community Survey in 2021, approximately 51 % of the men above 15 years old in Colorado were married. The female population also polled a close figure of about 50%. That is, about half of the female population above 15 in Colorado were married as of 2021. Finally and according to the same source, 68.7% of the men older than 65 in Colorado were married in 2021. This is high compared to about 51.4% of the women in the same age bracket
Meanwhile, the United States Public Reference Bureau estimates that the median age at first marriage of women in Colorado between 2015-2019 was 27.7. By implication, women married later between 2015-2019 compared to 2006-2015. The median age recorded for this period stood at 25.7 years old.
Men, on the other hand, record 29.7 as the median age at first marriage between 2015-2019. Men – like their female counterparts – also married later within this time frame, compared to the data between 2006-2015. For men, the median age at first marriage between 2006 and 2015 was estimated at 27.3 years old.
Colorado Divorce Rates
As of 2021, Colorado has a divorce rate of three people out of every 1000 persons in the state. Compared to the figure in 1990, this divorce rate has increased by about 36%. It has also significantly decreased compared to 2018 and 2019, with the values standing at 7.67 persons per 1000 people and 8.7 persons per 1000 people.
11.9% of the people in Colorado are divorced. The data also revealed that 1.4% of them are separated. A closer dive into the statistics revealed that the divorce rate among Males in Colorado was 10.52%, and about 1.2% of them separated from their partners. Among females, the statistics revealed the divorce rate to be 13.3%, with a 1.5% separation rate in 2021.
Furthermore, the data revealed that divorce occurred most frequently among boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). Older people – from age 75 and above – were recorded to be least likely to get divorced in Colorado. The statistics also revealed that Indians in Colorado had the highest divorce rate in 2021, with about 16% of the entire sub-population divorced and 2.7% of them separated. The Asians recorded the lowest divorce rate in Colorado in 2021. They had a divorce rate of 6.2% and a separation rate of 1.5%. Black people in Colorado had a 13.1% divorce rate and a separation rate of 2.6%. White people – who represent the majority of the population in Colorado – had a 12.2% divorce rate and a separation rate of 1.2% in 2021.
Life Expectancy in Colorado
Colorado has a life expectancy of 78.3 years, according to data published by the National Health Center of the CDC for 2020. This figure is higher than the then National average, which was 77 years old. By these statistics, Colorado has the 12th highest rate of life expectancy in the United States. For teenagers between the ages of 15-19, Colorado recorded 11.4 births for every 1000 girls.
Leading causes of death in Colorado, according to the same statistic, include heart diseases, firearm, homicide, and drug poisoning, among others. About 17.8 out of every 100,000 people died from firearms in the state in 2020. Also, homicide only claimed about 6.3 lives out of every 100,000 people in Colorado in 2020. Finally, drug overdose, another leading cause of death, claimed about 31.4 lives out of every 100,000 people in Colorado in 2020.
Colorado Crime Rates
In 2022, the Crime rate in Colorado was estimated to be 530 crimes per 100000 people. This represents a considerable increase in the figure in 2020, as published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to this publication, Colorado had a violent crime rate of 423.1 crimes per every 100,000 people in the state. In both years, the state had a crime rate higher than the National average.
According to the same report, 237 law enforcement agencies in Colorado reported about 23,484 violent crimes and 27,708 offenses in 2021. Furthermore, as of 2021, the violent crime rate in Colorado is higher among adults between 20 to 29 years of age, both as victims and offenders. The demographic with the least number of victims was adults between 50-59 years of age.
However, the demographic with the least number of offenders was adults between 40-49 years of age. Finally, on crime demography, the report estimated that about 81% of the offenders are male, and 49% of the victims are female.
Car theft has been the most common crime reported in Colorado in recent years. For instance, from 2019 through 2022, car theft and motor robbery represent the largest percentage of crimes committed in Colorado. As of 2019, for instance, motor theft and car robbery crimes in Colorado were estimated to have surged by 111.9%. Finally, the criminal offenses were estimated to be committed most with personal weapons and least, with firearms, as of 2021.
Colorado Incarceration Rate
Between 2020 and 2021, the incarceration rate in Arizona was 868 per 100,000 people. This figure suggests an imprisonment crisis in the penitentiary system that is not fueled by criminal conduct. Instead, Arizona's massive and rising jail population is the product of questionable policy decisions made by the state's legislature.
Since 2000, the state has increased the number of non-violent and first-time offenders sentenced to prison rather than probation, drug treatment, or other alternatives that are more focused on rehabilitation. Annually, the prison crisis takes thousands of people from the labor force and costs taxpayers more than $1 billion. This prevents the government from investing in other essential priorities, such as education, social services, and child protection.
Colorado Bankruptcy Rate
Between 2020 and 2010, the total number of bankruptcy filings in Colorado declined, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute and the US Bankruptcy Court. The total number of fillings spiked in 2010 with 32539 fillings and has decreased considerably since then.
The state had the least total number of bankruptcy filings in 2022, with 5092 bankruptcy filings. Pro-se filings in 2022, however, increased by almost 25% from a total of 400 filings to a new total of 500 pro-se filings in a financial year.
This figure is also considerably high compared to the 446 filings in March 2022. It is noteworthy there was a sudden drop in individual bankruptcy filings in 2020. Compared to 2019, there was approximately a 41% decrease, from 1035 filings to 614 filings. The figures have fluctuated since then, with a record of 500 pro-se filings in 2022.
The initial sudden decrease in 2020 can be plausibly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the individual bankruptcy figures in the subsequent years – 2021 and 2022 – suggest an economic improvement and a better grasp of financial literacy among the people in Colorado. This year, the state has recorded a total of 1023 Bankruptcy filings up until March.
Weird Laws in Colorado
All metrics point to Colorado being relatively good to live in. However, there are some laws in Colorado that are rather strange. Here are a few examples of strange laws in Colorado and its counties
Just like with cars, it is considered illegal to ride a horse in Colorado under the influence of Alcohol. This law does not just apply to horses alone, it also applies to any animal-driven vehicle. It was put in place to avoid endangering the rider, the animal, and other people in Colorado. Law enforcement agents in Colorado may apply the same penalty – to this offense – as driving an automobile under the influence of Alcohol.
Generally, Colorado has environmental laws that reveal a seriousness about conservation and sustainability. However, this one may be considered a bit strange. According to the laws of Colorado, it is illegal to mark, mar, or mutilate any rock in a Colorado state park. Looks like even rocks get rights. This law extends to trees, flowers, and other features of the state park.
In Boulder County, Colorado, it is illegal to keep your couch outside on your Porch or Front Lawn if you live anywhere off the University Campus. According to the law, there is a $100 penalty for a first offender that violates this legislation. This law only applies to the neighborhood around the University hill. It specifically applies to Broadway, east of University Hill; Arapahoe Road to the North; the baseline road to the south, and the western side of Ninth Street.
If you ever want to buy a car or sell a car in Colorado, remember never to do it on a Sunday. According to the “blue laws” of Colorado, it is illegal for any car dealership to open on a Sunday. According to the Colorado Revised Statute section 44-20-302 (2020), there is a penalty of about $1000 and six months in Jail for any car dealership that violates this legislation. Historically, blue laws were made and enacted to promote religious compliance in American states.
You cannot confine any mule, horse, Donkey, or livestock in Denver except in specially designed fireproof buildings. In simpler language, and according to the Denver Municipal code, you are not allowed to bring your horse, donkey, mule, goat, or livestock on any floor above or below the ground except in a specially designed fireproof building.
Pueblo regulates the height of Dandelions in the city. Dandelions – a common type of flower – are defined as a weed type under city law. According to this law, all weeds, including Dandelions, cannot grow above 10 inches. If the flowers grow beyond the height, the mayor has the power to abate, cut or destroy them.
According to the law in Boulder, Colorado, you cannot roll or throw rocks on any public property except if you are acting within the scope of your job.
You cannot throw stones, snowballs, sticks, or anything at all at a vehicle in Alamosa County. According to the legislation, it is illegal to project any missile at a vehicle in the county.
Also in Boulder, you don’t violate any law if you insult, taunt or provoke a police officer, even with a clear intent to annoy. However, this privilege ceases until they ask you to cease. Refusal to stop is a clear violation of the County’s laws on fighting words.
Cities in Colorado
- Aguilar
- Akron
- Alamosa
- Allenspark
- Alma
- Amherst
- Antonito
- Arapahoe
- Arboles
- Arriba
- Arvada
- Aspen
- Atwood
- Ault
- Aurora
- Avon
- Avondale
- Basalt
- Battlement Mesa
- Bayfield
- Bennett
- Berthoud
- Bethune
- Black Hawk
- Blanca
- Boone
- Boulder
- Branson
- Breckenridge
- Briggsdale
- Brighton
- Broomfield
- Brush
- Buena Vista
- Burlington
- Byers
- Calhan
- Campo
- Capulin
- Carbondale
- Castle Rock
- Cedaredge
- Center
- Cheraw
- Cheyenne Wells
- Clifton
- Coal Creek
- Coaldale
- Collbran
- Colorado Springs
- Conejos
- Cope
- Cortez
- Cotopaxi
- Craig
- Crawford
- Crested Butte
- Crestone
- Cripple Creek
- Crook
- Crowley
- Dacono
- De Beque
- Deer Trail
- Del Norte
- Delta
- Denver
- Dillon
- Dinosaur
- Divide
- Dolores
- Dove Creek
- Durango
- Eads
- Eagle
- Eaton
- Eckley
- Edwards
- Elbert
- Eldorado Springs
- Elizabeth
- Empire
- Englewood
- Erie
- Estes Park
- Evans
- Evergreen
- Fairplay
- Firestone
- Flagler
- Fleming
- Florence
- Florissant
- Fort Collins
- Fort Garland
- Fort Lupton
- Fort Morgan
- Fountain
- Fowler
- Franktown
- Fraser
- Frederick
- Frisco
- Fruita
- Gardner
- Genoa
- Georgetown
- Gilcrest
- Glenwood Springs
- Golden
- Granada
- Granby
- Grand Junction
- Grand Lake
- Greeley
- Green Mountain Falls
- Grover
- Guffey
- Gunnison
- Gypsum
- Hartman
- Hartsel
- Hasty
- Haswell
- Haxtun
- Hayden
- Hillrose
- Hoehne
- Holly
- Holyoke
- Hooper
- Hot Sulphur Springs
- Hotchkiss
- Howard
- Hudson
- Hugo
- Idaho Springs
- Idalia
- Idledale
- Ignacio
- Iliff
- Indian Hills
- Jamestown
- Joes
- Johnstown
- Julesburg
- Keenesburg
- Kersey
- Kim
- Kiowa
- Kirk
- Kit Carson
- Kittredge
- Kremmling
- La Jara
- La Junta
- La Salle
- La Veta
- Lafayette
- Lamar
- Laporte
- Larkspur
- Las Animas
- Lazear
- Leadville
- Lewis
- Limon
- Littleton
- Log Lane Village
- Loma
- Lone Tree
- Longmont
- Louisville
- Louviers
- Loveland
- Lyons
- Manassa
- Mancos
- Manitou Springs
- Manzanola
- Marvel
- Matheson
- Maybell
- Mead
- Meeker
- Merino
- Milliken
- Minturn
- Moffat
- Monte Vista
- Montrose
- Monument
- Morrison
- Nathrop
- Naturita
- Nederland
- New Castle
- Niwot
- Norwood
- Nucla
- Nunn
- Oak Creek
- Olathe
- Olney Springs
- Ophir
- Orchard
- Ordway
- Otis
- Ouray
- Ovid
- Padroni
- Pagosa Springs
- Palisade
- Palmer Lake
- Paoli
- Paonia
- Parachute
- Parker
- Parshall
- Peetz
- Penrose
- Peyton
- Phippsburg
- Pierce
- Pitkin
- Placerville
- Platteville
- Poncha Springs
- Pritchett
- Pueblo
- Ramah
- Rangely
- Red Cliff
- Red Feather Lakes
- Redvale
- Rico
- Ridgway
- Rifle
- Rockvale
- Rocky Ford
- Rollinsville
- Romeo
- Rye
- Saguache
- Salida
- San Luis
- Sanford
- Sedalia
- Sedgwick
- Seibert
- Severance
- Sheridan Lake
- Silt
- Silver Plume
- Silverthorne
- Silverton
- Simla
- Snowmass Village
- Snyder
- Somerset
- South Fork
- Springfield
- Steamboat Springs
- Sterling
- Strasburg
- Stratton
- Swink
- Tabernash
- Telluride
- Thornton
- Timnath
- Towaoc
- Trinidad
- Two Buttes
- Vail
- Vernon
- Victor
- Vilas
- Vona
- Walden
- Walsenburg
- Walsh
- Ward
- Watkins
- Weldona
- Wellington
- Westcliffe
- Westminster
- Weston
- Wheat Ridge
- Wiggins
- Wiley
- Windsor
- Winter Park
- Wolcott
- Woodland Park
- Woody Creek
- Wray
- Yampa
- Yuma