Colorado Population 2023

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’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 lies completely above 1,000 meters elevation. It is the only state that can make this claim.
• Nearly 36% of the land in the state is owned by the US federal government.
• Colorado has the largest city park system in the nation, boasting 205 parks within the city limits, and 20,000 acres of park space within the mountains.
• The nation's highest suspension bridge is located near Canon City and is built over the Royal Gorge.
• The view from Pikes Peak was the inspiration for the song, "America the Beautiful."
• The Four Corners is the only place where four states -- Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona -- meet at one point.
• Leadville, Colorado, is the highest incorporated town in the country at over 10,000 feet.
• Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike explored the Louisiana Territory in 1806 and published a report that drew interest to the area.
• Nevada has a palindromic place called Kinikinik. This means that this community's name can be reversed— spelled either from left to right or right to left— and it would be spelled or read identically.