Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Cortez, CO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

8,976

Median Agei

36.4

Race & Ethnicityi

White

62.1%5,576

Hispanic/Latino

19.7%1,768

American Indian/Alaska Native

9.7%871

Two or More

7.7%694

Asian

0.5%47

Other

0.1%13

Black

0.1%7

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.1%299

High School Diploma

27.7%1,635

Some College (<1 yr)

8%475

Some College (1+ yr)

15.4%909

Associate's Degree

6.2%364

Bachelor's Degree

15.3%902

Master's Degree

8.3%493

Professional Degree

1.2%71

Doctorate

1.8%105

HS or Higher

88.9%

BA or Higher

26.6%

Graduate+

11.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$272,900

Median Renti

$984

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

65.6%2,437

Renter-Occupied

34.4%1,278

Total Units

3,991

Homeownership

65.6%

Vacancy Rate

6.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

9.6%233

$50K–$100K

3.6%87

$100K–$150K

7%171

$150K–$200K

15.2%371

$200K–$300K

24.5%596

$300K–$500K

31.8%776

$500K–$1M

8.3%203

Rent Distribution

Under $500

112

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

458

$1,000–$1,250

216

$1,250–$1,500

203

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

109

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%26

2010–2019

3.6%144

2000–2009

12.6%502

1990–1999

10.4%414

1980–1989

8.1%322

1970–1979

18.6%742

1960–1969

9.9%396

1950–1959

20.2%807

1940–1949

5%199

1939 or earlier

11%439

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

74.3%2,761

Electricity

18.6%690

Bottled/LP Gas

4%147

Wood

1.6%61

No Fuel

1%38

Other

0.5%18

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$54,247

Mean Household Incomei

$71,430

Per Capita Incomei

$30,546

Poverty Ratei

14.8%

Unemploymenti

4.1%

Labor Forcei

4,094

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.4%164

$10K–$15K

4%149

$15K–$20K

5.9%220

$20K–$25K

7.6%283

$25K–$30K

3.9%145

$30K–$35K

4.1%152

$35K–$40K

4.2%156

$40K–$45K

7.4%274

$45K–$50K

3.5%130

$50K–$60K

11.3%420

$60K–$75K

10.6%392

$75K–$100K

12.8%475

$100K–$125K

8.4%311

$125K–$150K

4.1%154

$150K–$200K

3.6%135

$200K+

4.2%155

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

299

Residentsi

507

Avg. Tenant Renti

$404/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

12 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing7 homes

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers171 homes89% occupied$419/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8121 homes93% occupied$383/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $54,247/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

82.4%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

16.4%

Low income$27K–$43K/yr

1.2%

Who Receives This Housing

70.1% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

33.6% of subsidized households are minority

24% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

42.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2182.4%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

142

Canada

United Kingdom

Poland

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

3,892

Avg. Commutei

15.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

3,915

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

630(9.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

84.7%Insured

15.3%Uninsured