La Plata County, CO

County

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2024 Population

56,331

US Senator

Michael Bennet

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Hickenlooper

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

43.2

2.13% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

11.7%

6.01% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$86,056

0.891% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$591,500

7.72% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

29,272

0.733% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in La Plata County, CO reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.5% of the residents in La Plata County, CO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in La Plata County, CO are Fort Lewis College (653 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in La Plata County, CO was $591,500, and the homeownership rate was 70.9%.

Most people in La Plata County, CO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.3 minutes. The average car ownership in La Plata County, CO was 2 cars per household.

La Plata County, CO borders Archuleta County, CO, Dolores County, CO, Hinsdale County, CO, Montezuma County, CO, San Juan County, CO, and San Juan County, NM.

United States Colorado Durango, CO

Population & Diversity

La Plata County, CO is home to a population of 56.3k people, from which 98.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.1% of La Plata County, CO residents were born outside of the country (1.75k people).

In 2024, there were 14 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (42.8k people) in La Plata County, CO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.05k White (Hispanic) and 2.6k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.5%

2024 Citizenship

98.8%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.5% of La Plata County, CO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in La Plata County, CO was 98.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in La Plata County, CO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in La Plata County, CO

White (Non-Hispanic)
42.8k ± 379
White (Hispanic)
3.05k ± 446
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
2.6k ± 311

12.9%

Hispanic Population

7.24k people

12.9% of the people in La Plata County, CO are hispanic (7.24k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in La Plata County, CO as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Colorado.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
203,143 ± 10,870 people
India
22,453 ± 3,672 people
China
17,281 ± 3,223 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Colorado was Mexico, the natal country of 203,143 Colorado residents, followed by India with 22,453 and China with 17,281.

Foreign-Born Population

3.1%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.75k people

2.54%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.42k people

As of 2024, 3.1% of La Plata County, CO residents (1.75k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in La Plata County, CO was 2.54%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in La Plata County, CO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,006 ± 163
Gulf War (2001-)
890 ± 270
Gulf War (1990s)
427 ± 143

La Plata County, CO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.13 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in La Plata County, CO.

Economy

The economy of La Plata County, CO employs 29.3k people. In 2024, the largest industries in La Plata County, CO were Health Care & Social Assistance (4,061 people), Retail Trade (3,500 people), and Educational Services (3,059 people), and the highest paying industries were Manufacturing ($86,111), Wholesale Trade ($80,917), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($75,976).

Employment

Occupations

29.3k

2024 Value

± 1,293

0.733%

1 Year growth

± 6.17%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in La Plata County, CO grew at a rate of 0.733%, from 29.1k employees to 29.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in La Plata County, CO, are Management Occupations (4,130 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,086 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,602 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of La Plata County, CO.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Colorado.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Colorado (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

29.3k

2024 Value

± 1,293

0.733%

1 Year growth

± 6.17%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in La Plata County, CO grew at a rate of 0.733%, from 29.1k employees to 29.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in La Plata County, CO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,061 people), Retail Trade (3,500 people), and Educational Services (3,059 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of La Plata County, CO, though some of these residents may live in La Plata County, CO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$54,236

Median earning men ± $2,910

$44,194

Median earning women ± $2,095

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Manufacturing ($96,458), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($81,558), and Information ($75,417).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($82,250), Public Administration ($64,271), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($63,272).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Colorado.

Y-Axis

1.73%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.87M people employed in Colorado. This represents a 1.73% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Colorado.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

284
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
244
Construction
166
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$187k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$130k
Retail Trade
$112k
Construction

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Colorado went to Kamala Harris with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.12%).

Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are the senators currently representing the state of Colorado. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Colorado is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for La Plata County, CO. Showing the available data for Colorado.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (54.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (43.1%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.12%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Colorado went to Kamala Harris with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.1%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.12%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Colorado for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Colorado

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Colorado.

Michael Bennet

Senator from Colorado

Assumed office on January 21, 2009
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Ken Salazar, who had become Secretary of the Interior.

John Hickenlooper

Senator from Colorado

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are the senators currently representing Colorado.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Colorado over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in La Plata County, CO awarded 653 degrees. The student population of La Plata County, CO in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,585 male students and 1,828 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in La Plata County, CO are White (282 and 43.3%), American Indian or Alaska Native (199 and 30.6%), Hispanic or Latino (81 and 12.4%), and Two or More Races (76 and 11.7%).

The largest universities in La Plata County, CO by number of degrees awarded are Fort Lewis College (653 and 100%).

The most popular majors in La Plata County, CO are General Business (77 and 11.8%), General Psychology (55 and 8.42%), and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (43 and 6.58%).

The median tuition cost in La Plata County, CO for a public four year colleges is $7,560 for in-state students and $18,688 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in La Plata County, CO, the percentage of applicants admitted was 93.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 3,413 (46.4% men and 53.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 3,413 students enrolled in La Plata County, CO, 46.4% men and 53.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,504 records, of which 50.9% were women and 49.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
55 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
43 degrees awarded
General Business
77 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in La Plata County, CO was General Psychology with 55 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in La Plata County, CO according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Fort Lewis College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

653 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Fort Lewis College with 653 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 274 men were awarded degrees from institutions in La Plata County, CO, which is 0.723 times less than the 379 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 282 degrees mean that there were 1.42 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, American Indian or Alaska Native, with 199 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($7,560) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,110) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,240) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in La Plata County, CO was $591,500 in 2024, which is 1.78 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $549,100 to $591,500, a 7.72% increase. The homeownership rate in La Plata County, CO is 70.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in La Plata County, CO have an average commute time of 20.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in La Plata County, CO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 12.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in La Plata County, CO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.31%.

Housing

Property

$591,500

Median Property Value 2024

±$21,396

$17,292

Median Property Taxes

±$876

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In La Plata County, CO the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in La Plata County, CO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

70.9%

Homeownership

2024

71.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 70.9% of the housing units in La Plata County, CO were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 71%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in La Plata County, CO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$86,056

Median Household Income

± $3,029

24.4k

Number of Households

± 1,126

In 2024, the median household income of the 24.4k households in La Plata County, CO grew to $86,056 from the previous year's value of $85,296.

The following chart displays the households in La Plata County, CO distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for La Plata County, CO is from Colorado.

0.462

2023 Wage GINI in Colorado

0.464

2022 Wage GINI in Colorado

In 2023, the income inequality in Colorado was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.304% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Colorado was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Colorado in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Colorado across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (66.1%)
Worked At Home (18.1%)
Carpooled (7.81%)

In 2024, 66.1% of workers in La Plata County, CO drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (18.1%) and those who carpooled to work (7.81%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in La Plata County, CO have a shorter commute time (20.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.27% of the workforce in La Plata County, CO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in La Plata County, CO compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in La Plata County, CO distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in La Plata County, CO have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 12.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in La Plata County, CO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.31%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

11.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in La Plata County, CO (6.38k out of 54.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 25 - 34, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in La Plata County, CO is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 13% of the children was living in poverty in La Plata County, CO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 175 in La Plata County, CO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 250 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

91.8% of the population of La Plata County, CO has health coverage, with 40.9% on employee plans, 15% on Medicaid, 16.7% on Medicare, 18.2% on non-group plans, and 1.05% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in La Plata County, CO see 760 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (760 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1011 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 180 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

760 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in La Plata County, CO

Primary care physicians in La Plata County, CO see an average of 760 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (760 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in La Plata County, CO in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19.1% under 18 years, 19.5% between 18 and 34 years, 40.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.23%

Uninsured

40.9%

Employer Coverage

15%

Medicaid

16.7%

Medicare

18.2%

Non-Group

1.05%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in La Plata County, CO declined by 13.6% from 9.53% to 8.23%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in La Plata County, CO changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 48.1 in La Plata County, CO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in La Plata County, CO.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 24.8% in La Plata County, CO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in La Plata County, CO.