Colorado's 64 counties tell very different economic stories. From high-earning suburbs outside Denver to rural communities on the eastern plains, the gaps in income, housing costs, and opportunity are substantial. Here is what the data shows.
The average median household income across 64 Colorado counties is $74,792. That sits above the national county average of $65,006, driven largely by the strong performance of counties in the Front Range corridor.
The average poverty rate across Colorado counties is 12.1%, compared to a national average of 15.0%. But those figures vary sharply from county to county.
The wealthiest counties in Colorado are concentrated around the Denver metro and mountain resort areas, where high-skill jobs and strong housing markets push incomes well above the state average:
At the other end of the spectrum, several Colorado counties face persistent economic challenges, with median incomes well below both the state and national averages:
For buyers looking to stretch their budget, these Colorado counties offer the lowest median home values in the state:
Bachelor's degree attainment is closely tied to income and job market strength. The top counties in Colorado for educational attainment are:
Douglas County leads the state with a median household income of $145,737, reflecting the economic strength of the Denver metro's southern suburbs. Meanwhile, counties like Costilla and Baca on the southern and eastern borders face median incomes under $45,000, highlighting the depth of regional disparity within the state.
For anyone looking to understand where Colorado's economy is strong, where it is under strain, and where housing remains accessible, the county-level data provides the clearest picture available.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates