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Colorado

Colorado

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 52
Population5,810,774
Foreign Born5.0%
Population Density56people per mi²
Median Age37.5 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2000, this state's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

159/100

59% above national average

B-
Affordability Ratio

64%

The Real Cost of Living in Colorado

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $27k$51k
Comfortable $98k$143k
Luxury $167k+$259k+
Elite (Top 5%) $198k+$307k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
A
Great

A high-performing local economy. Incomes, home values, and employment meaningfully outpace national averages.

Median HHI
$92k+5.6%
23% above US avg
Avg Net Worth
$956k
46% above US avg
WFH
18.8%
31% above US avg
Homeownership
66.3%
1% above US avg
Median Home
$502k
78% above US avg
Avg HH Debt
$23k
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate
9.4%
18% below US avg
Public Assistance
9.3%
21% below US avg
Unemployment
4.4%
19% above US avg
Median Rent
$2k
46% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C
Moderate

Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
25.0
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−25.1%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−16.2%
Homicide
0.03 / 1k Residents46% below US avg
Robbery
0.46 / 1k Residents31% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
3.02 / 1k Residents13% above US avg

Property Crime

5yr−34.0%
Burglary
2.67 / 1k Residents1% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
15.12 / 1k Residents8% above US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
2.94 / 1k Residents4% above US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+6Leans Liberal
State Legislature of Colorado
Colorado Senate23D · 12R
Colorado House43D · 22R
Presidential Voting Trends for Colorado
Dem Rep
40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Weak9.7% of income
Property Rights
C
FairIJ Grade C
Firearm Rights
D
WeakFPC Grade D
Homeschooling
C+
WeakModerate regulation

Energy independence: Net exporter (110% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
C+
LimitedHerd shares only
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season126 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall19.6"statewide average
Elevation7,738 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
C+
Exposed

Meaningful friction. Expect exposure to either population pressure, blast zones, or natural disaster risk. Consider buying a retreat property.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Colorado

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-16T00:59:19.000Z

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