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CITY

Cortez

Colorado · 9,126 residents (2025 est.) · 6.23 sq mi
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The short version

Cortez has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $54,247. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $272,900. Households here earn about 43% less than the Colorado median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 74%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,976
+13%since 2000
from 7,977 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,441 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 1,280 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.4
Unchangedsince 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,126 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7K8K8K9K9K1990201020202024Cortez
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,247
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,776 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,546
+69%since 2000
from $18,040 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.1%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.434
−3%since 2010
from 0.447 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Retail trade3.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.9%
Manufacturing1.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$272,900
+74%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$984
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $464 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 64.7% in 2000
34.4% rent
Vacancy rate
6.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.6%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 27.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
52.3%
+13.5 ptssince 2009
from 38.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.0
+68%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cortez on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.7%(5,959)
Black0.2%(19)
Hispanic / Latino13.3%(1,061)
Asian0.3%(27)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.3%(2,655)
2024
White, non-Hispanic62.1%(5,576)
Black0.1%(7)
Hispanic / Latino19.7%(1,768)
Asian0.5%(47)
Other17.6%(1,578)
Diversity Score68%(6,108)
Diversity Score
68
+104%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.6%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.9%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 80.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.3%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.1 min
−6%since 2000
from 16.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.8%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 12.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.1%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.2%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.4%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
52.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.2%
−36.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.3%
−2.5 ptssince 2012
from 17.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
15.3%
−61.7 ptssince 2013
from 77.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.6%
+18.5 ptssince 2017
from 67.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2016
from 83.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 5.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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CORTEZ VS
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CORTEZ VS
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CORTEZ VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cortez, Colorado?

Cortez, Colorado has about 8,976 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cortez, Colorado?

The typical household in Cortez, Colorado earns about $54,247 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cortez, Colorado expensive?

In Cortez, Colorado, the median home is worth about $272,900, and the typical rent is about $984 a month.

How educated are people in Cortez, Colorado?

About 26.6% of adults age 25 and over in Cortez, Colorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cortez, Colorado?

About 15.0% of people in Cortez, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cortez, Colorado grown since 1990?

Yes, Cortez, Colorado has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,692 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →