La Plata County, CO

County

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2021 Population

55,673

0.828% 1-year decline

US Senator

Michael Bennet

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Hickenlooper

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

41.3

1.23% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

9.71%

6.05% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$75,089

8.37% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$430,200

3.44% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

29,066

1.76% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, La Plata County, CO had a population of 55.7k people with a median age of 41.3 and a median household income of $75,089. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of La Plata County, CO declined from 56,138 to 55,673, a −0.828% decrease and its median household income grew from $69,291 to $75,089, a 8.37% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in La Plata County, CO are White (Non-Hispanic) (77.5%), White (Hispanic) (8.08%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (5.01%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.61%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.44%).

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.

98.7% of the residents in La Plata County, CO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in La Plata County, CO are Fort Lewis College (654 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in La Plata County, CO was $430,200, and the homeownership rate was 72%.

Most people in La Plata County, CO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.7 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 55.7k people, from which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.71% of La Plata County, CO residents were born outside of the country (1.51k people).

In 2021, there were 9.58 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (43.1k people) in La Plata County, CO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.5k White (Hispanic) and 2.79k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.7%

2021 Citizenship

98.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.7% of La Plata County, CO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in La Plata County, CO was 98.9%, 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)
43.1k ± 242
White (Hispanic)
4.5k ± 509
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
2.79k ± 251

13%

Hispanic Population

7.25k people

13% of the people in La Plata County, CO are hispanic (7.25k people).

The following chart shows the 7 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
210,883 ± 11,065 people
India
21,272 ± 3,574 people
China
18,229 ± 3,310 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Colorado was Mexico, the natal country of 210,883 Colorado residents, followed by India with 21,272 and China with 18,229.

Foreign-Born Population

2.71%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.51k people

2.37%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.33k people

As of 2021, 2.71% of La Plata County, CO residents (1.51k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in La Plata County, CO was 2.37%, 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
1,193 ± 208
Gulf War (1990s)
541 ± 153
Gulf War (2001-)
444 ± 134

La Plata County, CO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.21 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of La Plata County, CO employs 29.1k people. The largest industries in La Plata County, CO are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,145 people), Retail Trade (3,921 people), and Educational Services (3,090 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($89,360), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($64,583), and Utilities ($63,393).

Males in Colorado have an average income that is 1.31 times higher than the average income of females, which is $61,864. The income inequality in Colorado (measured using the Gini index) is 0.465, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

29.1k

2021 Value

± 1,243

1.76%

1 Year growth

± 5.99%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in La Plata County, CO grew at a rate of 1.76%, from 28.6k employees to 29.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in La Plata County, CO, are Management Occupations (3,535 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,471 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,238 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 false.

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

29.1k

2021 Value

± 1,243

1.76%

1 Year growth

± 5.99%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in La Plata County, CO grew at a rate of 1.76%, from 28.6k employees to 29.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in La Plata County, CO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,145 people), Retail Trade (3,921 people), and Educational Services (3,090 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

$46,126

Median earning men ± $3,165

$34,004

Median earning women ± $2,317

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($68,571), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,004), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($66,617).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($63,125), Public Administration ($48,657), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($47,882).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Colorado. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

944
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
665
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
486
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$318k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$150k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$138k
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and Accommodation & Food Services

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Colorado to other states, or from other states to Colorado.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Mixed freight
$23.8B
Coal-n.e.c.
$17.7B
Machinery
$15.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Colorado product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $23.8B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($17.7B) and Machinery ($15.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Colorado products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Colorado.

$207B

2020 Value in Colorado

$434B

Projected 2050 Value in Colorado

110% growth

In 2020, total outbound Colorado trade was $207B. This is expected to increase 110% to $434B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Colorado trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Colorado to other states, or from other states to Colorado.

Most Common Trade Partners

California
$9.69B
Texas
$8.1B
Wyoming
$8.09B

In 2020, the top outbound Colorado domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $9.69B, followed by Texas with $8.1B and Wyoming and $8.09B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Colorado shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in La Plata County, CO went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (39.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.49%).

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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (57.6%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (39.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.49%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in La Plata County, CO for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Colorado

Colorado is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Colorado have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in La Plata County, CO awarded 654 degrees. The student population of La Plata County, CO in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,601 male students and 1,966 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in La Plata County, CO are White (329 and 50.5%), followed by American Indian or Alaska Native (162 and 24.9%), Hispanic or Latino (65 and 9.98%), and Two or More Races (61 and 9.37%).

The largest universities in La Plata County, CO by number of degrees awarded are Fort Lewis College (654 and 100%).

The most popular majors in La Plata County, CO are General Psychology (64 and 9.79%), General Business (60 and 9.17%), and General Biological Sciences (45 and 6.88%).

The median tuition cost in La Plata County, CO for a public four year colleges is $7,056 for in-state students and $17,712 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in La Plata County, CO, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 27.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 3,567 (44.9% men and 55.1% 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 2021 there were 3,567 students enrolled in La Plata County, CO, 44.9% men and 55.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,401 records, of which 49.3% were women and 50.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
45 degrees awarded
General Psychology
64 degrees awarded
General Business
60 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in La Plata County, CO was General Biological Sciences with 45 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

654 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Fort Lewis College with 654 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 253 men were awarded degrees from institutions in La Plata County, CO, which is 0.631 times less than the 401 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 329 degrees mean that there were 2.03 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, American Indian or Alaska Native, with 162 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 ($7,056) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,948) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.83% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.785% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Bachelors Degree (1.12M), Some college (999k), and High School or Equivalent (988k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in La Plata County, CO was $430,200 in 2021, which is 1.76 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $415,900 to $430,200, a 3.44% increase. The homeownership rate in La Plata County, CO is 72%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in La Plata County, CO have an average commute time of 21.7 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.

Median household income in La Plata County, CO is $75,089. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in La Plata County, CO was Census Tract 9707.01 with a value of $80,708, followed by Census Tract 9708 and Census Tract 9707.03, with respective values of $80,323 and $78,656.

In 2022, 14.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in La Plata County, CO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.98%.

Housing

Property

$430,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$12,606

$16,037

Median Property Taxes

±$858

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

72%

Homeownership

2021

71.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 72% of the housing units in La Plata County, CO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew 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

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9707.01
Census Tract 9708
Census Tract 9707.03

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in La Plata County, CO was Census Tract 9707.01 with a value of $80,708, followed by Census Tract 9708 and Census Tract 9707.03, with respective values of $80,323 and $78,656.

The following map shows all of the tracts in La Plata County, CO colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$75,089

Median Household Income

± $3,486

22.3k

Number of Households

± 1,065

In 2021, the median household income of the 22.3k households in La Plata County, CO grew to $75,089 from the previous year's value of $69,291.

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.

0.465

2021 Wage GINI in Colorado

0.467

2020 Wage GINI in Colorado

In 2021, the income inequality in Colorado was 0.465 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.376% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Colorado was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2021

Drove Alone (69%)
Worked At Home (14.3%)
Carpooled (8.13%)

In 2021, 69% of workers in La Plata County, CO drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.3%) and those who carpooled to work (8.13%).

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

21.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in La Plata County, CO have a shorter commute time (21.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.62% 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 2022, 14.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in La Plata County, CO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.98%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

9.71% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in La Plata County, CO (5.22k out of 53.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

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

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 2022, 12.2% of the children was living in poverty in La Plata County, CO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 3%.

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.

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Health

90% of the population of La Plata County, CO has health coverage, with 46.1% on employee plans, 13.3% on Medicaid, 14.2% on Medicare, 15% on non-group plans, and 1.43% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in La Plata County, CO see 815 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.98% decrease from the previous year (840 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1131 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 228 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

815 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 815 patients per year. This represents a 2.98% decrease from the previous year (840 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 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.5% under 18 years, 20.2% between 18 and 34 years, 41.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 18% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

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

Uninsured People

10%

Uninsured

46.1%

Employer Coverage

13.3%

Medicaid

14.2%

Medicare

15%

Non-Group

1.43%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in La Plata County, CO grew by 11.8% from 8.96% to 10%.

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 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 54.6 in La Plata County, CO.

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

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, 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 23.1% in La Plata County, CO.

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

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