United States › Colorado › Chaffee County COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS
Chaffee County Colorado · 16,242 residents · 1,013 sq mi
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The short version
Chaffee County is home to 16,242 people in Colorado. The median age is 41.8, about 7 years above the US median. The population is up 28% since 1990. Households here earn about 27% less than in Colorado as a whole. Owners hold 73% of the housing stock. The average commute runs 12 minutes.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 35.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 78%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 37.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K 14K 16K 19K 21K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Chaffee County Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $34,368
+23%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $21,174 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $10,788 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 14.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$146,500
+78%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $62,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$517
+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $336 in 1990
US average: $602
from 70.9% in 1990
26.6% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 95.4%(12,095)
Hispanic / Latino 9.9%(1,262)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 87.3%(14,174)
Hispanic / Latino 8.6%(1,393)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 22 more ancestry groups with data from 15.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 81.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 4.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 17.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 19.9%(1,470)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 17.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 43.2% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 20.2% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 27.1% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 20.3% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 2.1% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 61.0% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 46.2% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 13.2%(151)
Share of the 1,145 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
Places similar to Chaffee County Head to head
Compare Chaffee County to nearby counties CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Lake County
Income $96,575 +181%
Home value $466,100 +218%
Population 7,552 −64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Park County
Income $103,670 +202%
Home value $532,100 +263%
Population 18,314 −12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Gunnison County
Income $84,527 +146%
Home value $621,800 +324%
Population 17,439 −16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Pitkin County
Income $102,645 +199%
Home value $1,139,100 +678%
Population 16,625 −20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Chaffee County, Colorado? Chaffee County, Colorado has about 16,242 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Chaffee County, Colorado? The typical household in Chaffee County, Colorado earns about $34,368 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 $146,500, and the typical rent is about $517 a month.
How educated are people in Chaffee County, Colorado? About 24.3% 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 11.7% of people in Chaffee County, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.
Has Chaffee County, Colorado grown since 1990? Yes, Chaffee County, Colorado has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,558 residents, a change of about 28 percent over that period.
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