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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Chaffee County

Colorado · 17,809 residents · 1,013.408 sq mi
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The short version

Chaffee County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $42,941. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $248,100. With a median age of 47.4, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 47.4
US median: 37.2
More educated
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,809
+10%since 2000
from 16,242 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
18 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 16 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
47.4
+13%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K14K16K19K21K1990201020202024Chaffee County
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,941
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,368 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,110
+34%since 2000
from $19,430 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
25.6%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
11.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.456
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade10.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction5.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Retail trade3.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$248,100
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $146,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$702
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $517 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
43.2%
−30.1 ptssince 2000
from 73.4% in 2000
27.5% rent
Vacancy rate
24.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
30.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 29.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.6%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.8
+36%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic86.6%(15,417)
Black1.5%(267)
Hispanic / Latino9.4%(1,678)
Asian0.6%(104)
Other1.8%(315)
Diversity Score29.8%(5,314)
Diversity Score
30
+22%since 2000
from 25 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.3%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 24.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 88.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
10.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.3 min
+27%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
67.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
13.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.1%
−27.8 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
Female
46.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
15.2%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chaffee County

Pike County
Pop 20,932
Greene County
Pop 21,367
Gunnison County
Pop 17,439
Banks County
Pop 21,273
Places similar to Chaffee County
Head to head

Compare Chaffee County to nearby counties

CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Lake County
Income$96,575+125%
Home value$466,100+88%
Population7,552−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Park County
Income$103,670+141%
Home value$532,100+114%
Population18,314−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Gunnison County
Income$84,527+97%
Home value$621,800+151%
Population17,439−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHAFFEE COUNTY VS
Pitkin County
Income$102,645+139%
Home value$1,139,100+359%
Population16,625−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chaffee County, Colorado?

Chaffee County, Colorado has about 17,809 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Chaffee County, Colorado earns about $42,941 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 $248,100, and the typical rent is about $702 a month.

How educated are people in Chaffee County, Colorado?

About 33.3% 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 11.6% 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 5,125 residents, a change of about 40 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 2Census Tract 4.02Census Tract 3Census Tract 4.04Census Tract 4.03Census Tract 1
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 81201ZIP 81211ZIP 81236ZIP 81242ZIP 81227ZIP 81228
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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