Colorado Population 2024

5,914,181

This estimate is calculated from projecting the most recent Census estimates. The last official population count for Colorado was taken during the 2010 Census. At that time, it was found that the population was 5,029,196.

The 2010 Census numbers represented a rise of 16.9% from the 2000 census survey, when 4,301,262 residents were shown to be living in Colorado. Updated estimates arrive on a yearly basis, and in 2015, it was reported that the numbers in Colorado had increased to 5,456,574.

The 2015 estimate reflects an 8.5% increase since the last census. With a yearly growth rate of 1.85% in 2016, Colorado is the second fastest-growing state in the US. The largest city, and the capital of Colorado, is Denver. This capital city boasts over 700,000 individuals.

Colorado Area and Population Density

With a large surface area of 104,094 square miles (269,837 square kilometers) Colorado is the eighth largest state in the USA, but it is relatively sparsely populated when compared to the overall size. Some of the terrain is harsh, and the vast Rocky Mountain range accounts for a significant proportion of the state’s land mass.

As a result of these land conditions, there are approximately 52 people per square mile (19.9 per square kilometer) and that makes Colorado only the 37th biggest state in terms of population density.

Colorado Gender and Religion Statistics

The median age is 36.4, with 49.8% Female, and 50.1% Male. In religious terms, Colorado's individuals report 64% affiliated with the Christian faith, 5% non-Christian, and 29% are not affiliated.

Colorado Boundary, Census, and Statehood History

Although part of Colorado was acquired as early as the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, it had no organized government until 1850, when parts of the present State were included in New Mexico and Utah Territories. Colorado was established as a territory in 1861 with its present boundaries, from parts of Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories. The 1860 population is the total enumerated within the 1861 boundaries. Colorado was admitted as a State on August 1, 1876. Present-day Colorado had no census coverage in 1850, and none in 1860 for the portion taken from Utah Territory.

Colorado Demographics

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Colorado was:

  • White: 78.76%
  • Two or more races: 8.35%
  • Other race: 4.52%
  • Black or African American: 4.09%
  • Asian: 3.2%
  • Native American: 0.93%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.14%

Colorado’s Population History

Historically, Colorado’s location in the middle of the USA made it a popular route for those traveling through the new world. Many liked the state so much that they chose to settle there, and the evidence of that is clear from the earliest censuses.

Back in 1861, the Colorado Territory population was declared at 25,371 and ten years later, there had been just a modest rise of 16.3% to 39,864. However, by 1880 that figure had almost quadrupled and the census from that year reveals a total population of 194,327 -- an increase of 387.5% from the 1870 numbers.

Colorado Population Growth

Although that was by far the biggest increase in population in decade terms, further significant rises followed this initial boom, and by the beginning of the 20th century, Colorado’s numbers had grown to 539,700. In the latter half of the 1900s, increases in the region of 30% from census to census took the population of Colorado past the 5 million mark in 2012.

Colorado Population Projections

Many states in the US have shown growth at every census, but Colorado's population is actually growing faster now than it did during the 20s, 30s, and 40s. The current growth is already causing housing shortages and increased traffic as Denver and Colorado Springs try to address the increased immigration.

Like most states across the US, the population of Colorado is growing, but the growth has been significant in past years. Increases between censuses of 30% are not uncommon, and if that trend continues, the numbers could comfortably exceed 6 million at the next census in 2020. Some estimates have placed the 2040 population as high as 7.8 million.

Approximately 10% of the population of Colorado is made up of immigrants. These immigrants, according to data from 2011, make up over 11% of workers for the state of Colorado.

Estimates also show that 34.9% of the Latino population is under the age of 18, ountumbering African Americans (25%), Asian Americans (23%), and non-Hispanic Whites (19.3%) in the under-18 age bracket. There are higher proportions of Hispanics located in Colorado Springs, Metro Denver, Pueblo, and Greeley, with a large percentage of descendents of early Mexican settlers. The state has the fifth largest Mexican-American population in the nation, as well as the sixth highest percentage of Mexican-Americans.

Colorado also has large communities of African American residents located in Denverand Colorado Springs. Asian-Americans are also found throughout the state, particularly in the south and southeast areas of Denver. This includes Mongolians, Koreans, Filipinos, and Chinese residents. The Denver metropolitan area is considered to be one of the most racially diverse in the state.

Colorado Growth Rate

Colorado Population Rank

Colorado Population 2024

Colorado Facts

Population

100K

200K

300K

400K

500K

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700K

Colorado County Growth

From the time of the 2010 Census until 2015 when the US Census Bureau took population estimates, several counties in the state posted significant growth rates. The counties with the highest growth are all neighboring, beginning with Larimer County and Weld County along the northern border, and ending with El Paso County. With a growth rate of 13.14%, Denver County had the highest recorded population growth during the 5-year period.

Just as some Colorado counties saw growth, others posted declining populations during the same time period. The southwestern county of Bent had the highest decline of 10.43%. while neighboring Las Animas County has the second largest decline of 8.68%. Other counties that saw decreases in population include Moffatt County, Hinsdale County, and Kit Carson County.

Colorado Population by County

Population by Race

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Race
Population
Percentage (of total)
White4,507,44878.76%
Two or more races478,0708.35%
Other race258,8674.52%
Black or African American234,0654.09%
Asian183,3913.2%
Native American53,1430.93%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander8,1920.14%

White

Two or more races

Other race

Black or African American

Asian

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Colorado Population by Race

Colorado Population Pyramid 2024

Colorado Median Age

37.1

Total

36.4

Male

37.9

Female

Colorado Adults

There are 4,460,441 adults, (819,254 of whom are seniors) in Colorado.

Colorado Age Dependency

57.2

Age Dependency Ratio

22.5

Old Age Dependency Ratio

34.7

Child Dependency Ratio

Colorado Sex Ratio

Female2,827,24049.4%
Male2,895,93650.6%

Colorado Population by Age

Colorado Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type

Household Type
Count
Average Size
Owner
Renter
All2,227,9322.5266.133.9
Married1,104,3683.1681.918.1
Non Family819,4551.3649.350.7
Female202,9703.3752.347.7
Male101,1393.2257.342.7

3.1

Average Family Size

2.52

Average Household Size

66.1%

Rate of Home Ownership

Married

Male

Female

NonFamily

owner

renter

Colorado Households and Families

Male

Female

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Less Than 9th Grade

9th to 12th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Associates Degree

Bachelors Degree

Graduate Degree

Colorado Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)

Colorado Educational Attainment by Race

High School Graduation Rate

Bachelors Rate

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The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 96.74%.

The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 52.77%.

Colorado Educational Attainment by Race

All

Male

Female

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$49,696

Average Earnings

$56,981

Average Male

$41,506

Average Female

Colorado Earnings by Educational Attainment

Colorado Language by Age

Only English

Spanish

Other Indo-European Languages

Asian and Pacific Island Languages

Other Languages

Colorado Language

83.75% of Colorado residents speak only English, while 16.25% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 11.12% of the population.

Colorado Language

Colorado Poverty by Race

rate

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Name
Total
In Poverty
Poverty Rate
White3,751,740281,0727.49%
Hispanic1,227,327175,88414.33%
Multiple469,12460,88312.98%
Other255,85737,78414.77%
Black222,80437,36316.77%
Asian179,76016,8269.36%
Native49,9458,75217.52%
Islander7,9187038.88%

9.56%

Overall Poverty Rate

8.74%

Male Poverty Rate

10.39%

Female Poverty Rate

Poverty in Colorado

The race most likely to be in poverty in Colorado is Native, with 17.52% below the poverty level.

The race least likely to be in poverty in Colorado is White, with 7.49% below the poverty level.

The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.9%. Among those working part-time, it was 13.89%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 17.12%.

Colorado Poverty

rate

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Rate
Poverty
Less Than 9th Grade18.77%
High School10.94%
Some College8.53%
Bachelors or Greater3.9%

Colorado Poverty Rate by Education

rate

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Rate
Poverty
Female Unemployed24.79%
Male Unemployed24.49%
Female Employed5.94%
Male Employed4.21%

Colorado Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex

Colorado Income by Household Type

Households

Families

MarriedFamilies

NonFamilies

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mean

median

Income by Household Type

Colorado Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Marriage Rates

50.5%

Overall Marriage Rate

50.8%

Male Marriage Rate

50.2%

Female Marriage Rate

Colorado Married by Age and Sex

male

female

Colorado Marriage

The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.

Colorado Marital Status by Race

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Colorado Marital Status

Second Gulf War

First Gulf War

Vietnam

Korea

World War II

365,440

Number of Veterans

324,549

Male Veterans

40,891

Female Veterans

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Colorado Veterans by War

count

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Colorado Veterans by Age

count

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Colorado Veterans by Race

Colorado Veterans by Education

Less Than 9th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Bachelors or Greater

6.14%

Veteran Poverty Rate

26.49%

Veteran Disability Rate

Colorado Veterans by Education

LaborForceParticipation

68.5%

Labor Force Participation

64.6%

Employment Rate

4.6%

Unemployment Rate

Colorado Employment by Age

LaborForceParticipation

Colorado Employment by Race

LaborForceParticipation

Colorado Employment by Education

Origin of Non-Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.

Origin of Naturalized Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

41.93%

Born in Colorado

90.47%

Native Born

9.53%

Foreign Born

5.07%

Non Citizen

4.46%

Naturalized

Place of Birth

90.47% of Colorado residents were born in the United States, with 41.93% having been born in Colorado. 5.07% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.

Colorado Place of Birth

  1. Colorado State Demography Office
  2. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  4. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  5. Census QuickFacts
  6. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)

Sources