COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Chaffee County

Colorado · 12,684 residents · 1,013.408 sq mi

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The short version

Chaffee County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $21,174. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 3,558 residents. Median home value is $62,600. Households here earn about 30% less than the Colorado median.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Older

median age 37.4

US median: 33.0

Less educated

15% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 44%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

12,684

−22%vs 2000

vs 16,242 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

13 / sq mi

−22%vs 2000

vs 16 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

37.4

−11%vs 2000

vs 41.8 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202420K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$21,174

−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $34,368 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$10,788

−44%vs 2000

vs $19,430 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

14.3%

+2.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 11.7% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$62,600

−44%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $146,500 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$336

−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $517 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

70.9%

−2.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 73.4% in 2000

29.1% rent

Afford Score

3.0

−31%vs 2000

vs 4.3 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Chaffee County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic87.3%(14,174)

Black1.6%(257)

Hispanic / Latino8.6%(1,393)

Asian0.4%(65)

Other0%

Diversity Score24.5%(3,985)

1990

White, non-Hispanic95.4%(12,095)

Black1.3%(171)

Hispanic / Latino9.9%(1,262)

Asian0.2%(23)

Other3.1%(395)

Diversity Score29.8%(3,784)

Diversity Score

+22%vs 2000

vs 25 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

15.2%

−9.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 24.3% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

81.0%

−7.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 88.5% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

4.7%

−3.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 8.0% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

17.8 min

+47%vs 2000

vs 12.1 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Chaffee County

Head to head

Compare Chaffee County to nearby counties

CHAFFEE COUNTY VS

Lake County

Income$96,575+356%

Home value$466,100+645%

Population7,552−64%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

CHAFFEE COUNTY VS

Park County

Income$103,670+390%

Home value$532,100+750%

Population18,314−12%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

CHAFFEE COUNTY VS

Gunnison County

Income$84,527+299%

Home value$621,800+893%

Population17,439−16%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

CHAFFEE COUNTY VS

Pitkin County

Income$102,645+385%

Home value$1,139,100+1720%

Population16,625−20%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Chaffee County, Colorado?

Chaffee County, Colorado has about 12,684 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Chaffee County, Colorado?

The typical household in Chaffee County, Colorado earns about $21,174 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chaffee County, Colorado expensive?

In Chaffee County, Colorado, the median home is worth about $62,600, and the typical rent is about $336 a month.

How educated are people in Chaffee County, Colorado?

About 15.2% of adults age 25 and over in Chaffee County, Colorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chaffee County, Colorado?

About 14.3% of people in Chaffee County, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.

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6 census tracts

Census Tract 2 Census Tract 4.02 Census Tract 3 Census Tract 4.04 Census Tract 4.03 Census Tract 1

6 ZIP codes

ZIP 81201 ZIP 81211 ZIP 81236 ZIP 81242 ZIP 81227 ZIP 81228

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

How we source and harmonize this data →