Colorado Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained, Population Review

Population & Growth

Colorado's 5,810,774 residents make it the 21st-most populous US state. Over the long term, the state has been gaining population — +645.6% from 1910 to 2024.

Population density: 56 people per square mile. By comparison, the US national average is roughly 94/sq mi, while New Jersey leads with ~1,260/sq mi and Alaska is the lowest at ~1.3/sq mi.

Race & Ethnicity

By Census ACS classification, Colorado is:

73.5% White (alone)
4.0% Black or African American
0.2% Asian
2.9% Hispanic or Latino (any race)
0.0% two or more races

Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals can exceed 100% in some breakdowns. The full racial composition (including Native Hawaiian, American Indian, etc.) is available on the Colorado state page.

Income & Economy

Median household income in Colorado is $92,470, with per-capita income at $50,489. 5.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Unemployment rate: 3.0%.

Income is concentrated in metro counties — see the county-level rankings on the cities ranking page and counties ranking page for sub-state variation.

Age & Households

Median age in Colorado: 37.5 years (US median ~39). The population is 50.6% male and 49.4% female.

Largest Cities in Colorado

Denver city — population 713,734
Colorado Springs city — population 483,099
Aurora city — population 390,201
Fort Collins city — population 169,705
Lakewood city — population 156,309

Largest Counties in Colorado

El Paso County — population 736,008
Denver County — population 713,734
Arapahoe County — population 655,709
Jefferson County — population 579,715
Adams County — population 524,408

How Colorado Compares Nationally

By population: ranked 21st of 50 states. By median household income: see the richest states ranking. By population growth: see fastest growing states. By cost of living: see cheapest states to live.

See the complete Colorado state page with full demographic breakdown, age pyramid, languages, education, housing, and commute data →

Frequently Asked Questions

Colorado has a population of 5,810,774 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, ranking 21st among the 50 states. Population density is 56 people per square mile.

Colorado is gaining population, with a +645.6% change since 1910 (799,024 → 5,810,774). This is reported via Census ACS rolling 5-year estimates; for monthly/annual estimates between Census years, see the Census Population Estimates Program.

73.5% of Colorado's population identifies as White, 4.0% as Black or African American, 0.2% as Asian, and 2.9% as Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100%.

Median household income in Colorado is $92,470 per the 2023 ACS. Per-capita income: $50,489. 5.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.

The median age in Colorado is 37.5 years. The population is 50.6% male and 49.4% female. Age distribution and population pyramids by 5-year age bands are visible on the Colorado state page.

The largest cities in Colorado by population: Denver city (713,734), Colorado Springs city (483,099), Aurora city (390,201), Fort Collins city (169,705), Lakewood city (156,309).

California is the most populous US state at roughly 39 million, followed by Texas (~30M), Florida (~22M), New York (~20M), and Pennsylvania (~13M). Colorado ranks 21st. Detailed rankings update each ACS release cycle.

Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Colorado's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.

All demographic data on this page comes from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, currently the 2023 release. Historical population figures use Census Population Estimates Program annual estimates. Data is public domain and freely available at census.gov.