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Population Review

Pitkin County, Colorado Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 30th-largest in Colorado

The population of Pitkin County, Colorado is 17,119 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 30th-largest county in Colorado. The median household income is $100,318, the median home value is $1,131,200, and the median age is 47.3.

The population of Pitkin County has declined 3.0% since 2010 (17,156 → 16,643), a -0.22% annualized rate.

Pitkin County within Colorado · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

17,119

Population

-0.22%

Annual growth

18

People / sq mi

$100,318

Median Income

$1,131,200

Median Home Value

Pitkin County covers 971 sq mi of land at 17.6 people per square mile.

About Pitkin County, CO

In Pitkin County, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $1,131,200. With 17,119 residents, Pitkin County is a county in Colorado. It ranks #30 among counties in Colorado by population.

Income is a real outlier — the median household pulls in $100,318, putting Pitkin County near the top of US counties. Hardship is rare relative to US counties: a poverty rate of just 3.2%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $1,131,200, with typical rent around $1,880.

Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US counties: 64.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. Remote work is widespread — 14.9% of workers stay home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.

High housing values reframe the income picture in Pitkin County — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.

Pitkin County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Pitkin County had a population of 17,156 in 2010 and 16,643 in 2024, a -3.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,066 in 2018. Average annual growth rate: -0.21%.

2018 · 18K20102024
Pitkin County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

16,643

Population (2024)

17,156

Population (2010)

18,066

Peak (2018)

-0.21%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201017,156
201117,177
201217,303
201317,474
201417,730
201517,962
201618,009
201718,027
201818,066
201917,902
202017,365
202117,349
202216,877
202316,690
202416,643

Race & Ethnicity

White86.2%
Black or African American0.5%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.4%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

47.3

Median Age

48.2%

Female

51.8%

Male

21.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
3.7%
5–9
2.6%
10–14
5.1%
15–19
4.5%
20–24
5.8%
25–34
12.6%
35–44
13.3%
45–54
15.3%
55–59
7.9%
60–64
7.6%
65–74
13.4%
75–84
6.3%
85+
1.9%

Children (under 15): 11.4% · Seniors (65+): 21.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$100,318+$7,848 vs state
Mean household income$200,851
Per-capita income$105,096
Poverty rate3.2%-2.7% vs state
Unemployment rate1.1%
Employment-to-population68.2%

Top Industries by Employment

Education & health care
17.7%
Professional & business services
17.2%
Finance & real estate
16.2%
Information
10.7%
Construction
6.2%
Arts, entertainment & food
5.6%
Retail trade
5.2%
Agriculture
3.6%

The largest employment sector in Pitkin County is education & health care, accounting for 17.7% of workers.

How residents commute

12.2%

Drive alone

9.9%

Carpool

48.5%

Public transit

14.9%

Work from home

20.4 min

Avg commute

Housing

$1,131,200+$629,000 vs state

Median home value

$1,880

Median rent

67.5%

Homeownership rate

13,350

Total housing units

67.6%

Occupied

32.4%

Vacant

32.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

95.5%

With health insurance

97.2%

With broadband internet

64.3%

Foreign-born

4.6%

Veterans (18+)

8.6%

With a disability

85.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

97.0%

High School+

64.0%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Colorado

Other counties in Colorado

Part of Colorado

Metro areas in Colorado

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Pitkin County, Colorado has a population of 17,119 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 30th-largest county in Colorado. Population density is 18 people per square mile.

The population of Pitkin County has declined 3.0% since 2010 (17,156 → 16,643), a -0.22% annualized rate.

The median household income in Pitkin County, Colorado is $100,318, with mean (average) household income of $200,851 and per-capita income of $105,096. 3.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Pitkin County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (86.2%), Black or African American (0.5%), Hispanic or Latino (0.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Pitkin County, Colorado is 47.3 years. Residents are 48.2% female and 51.8% male.

The median home value in Pitkin County is $1,131,200 and median monthly rent is $1,880. 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 13,350 total housing units, 32.4% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Pitkin County, Colorado is education, health care, and social assistance, employing 17.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.1%.

Denver is among the largest cities associated with Pitkin County, Colorado, with a population of 713,734.


Pitkin County, CO Climate

Pitkin County, CO has an average annual temperature of 2.9°C (37°F) and receives about 424 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.

2.9°C

Avg Temp

424

Precip (mm/yr)

Jul

Hottest Month

Jan

Coldest Month

-20°-10°0°10°20°30°43mmJFMAMJJASOND
Avg temp (°C) Precipitation (mm)
Pitkin County, CO — monthly temperature & precipitation (1970–2000 normals) · Source: WorldClim 2.1
MonthAvg (°C/°F)Precip
January-9° / 16°37 mm
February-7° / 19°30 mm
March-4° / 26°37 mm
April1° / 33°30 mm
May6° / 44°32 mm
June11° / 52°29 mm
July15° / 59°42 mm
August15° / 58°43 mm
September11° / 52°39 mm
October5° / 42°32 mm
November-2° / 29°32 mm
December-8° / 18°41 mm

1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.

Best time to visit Pitkin County, CO

The most comfortable months to visit Pitkin County, CO are typically July, August and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 25°C high). The coldest is January (near -17°C low). August is usually the wettest month.

JulyAugustJune

Where to stay near Pitkin County

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Top-rated places to stay near Pitkin County

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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.