Amherst, CO

Colorado · Phillips County

Amherst is a small town in Colorado with a population of 84.

Sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year estimates, FBI Crime Data Explorer 2024, NOAA, EPA. Updated August 2026

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
84 Population 187/sq mi density
49°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Amherst, CO

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.0%
7% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Amherst Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population84
Median Age26.8 yrs
Density187/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 20%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

Per Capita$29,512
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$254M

Housing

Ownership43.6%
Zillow$259,272
Housing Units19
Rent Burden25.5%

Health

Obesity30.0%
Uninsured0.0%
Smoking14.6%
Depression23.1%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
Rain17.9 in/yr
Elevation3,691 ft (1,125 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+30.9%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.69

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 18%
Broadband100.0%
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Is Amherst a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Amherst receives an overall livability score of 2.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Amherst has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Amherst experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.9 inches, including 30.4 inches of snow.

Amherst has a population of 84 with a density of 187 people per square mile, spread across 0.5 square miles. The median age is 26.8 years, 31% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 53.6% female and 46.4% male. The city is predominantly Hispanic (79.8%), with 20.2% White. English is the primary language spoken at home by 20.2% of residents, while 100% speak Spanish. 0.0% of the population are veterans, below the national rate of 6.0%. 39.3% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 100.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

84
Total Population
2023 Census
187
People / sq mi
26.8yrs
Median Age
31% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.4%
Female 53.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Amherst vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 20.2%
74% below US avg
Spanish 100.0%
646% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Amherst vs U.S. Average

Per capita income is $29,512 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $961, 33% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 186 business establishments, including 11 restaurants. The cost of living index is 103.1, roughly in line with the national average. 0.0% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Amherst vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$29,512
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$68,315
Gini Index0.512 (0=equal, 1=unequal)

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)186
County GDP$254M

Business (County)

Restaurants11
Healthcare11
Retail17
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,800
49% below US avg
Cost of Living103.10 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

Zillow estimates the typical home value at $259,272. Fair market rent ranges from $1,161 for a one-bedroom to $1,429 for a two-bedroom apartment. 43.6% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 19 total housing units in the city. The average annual property tax is $1,800 (lower than the $3,500 national average). 25.5% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Zillow ZHVI$259,272

Rental Costs

Rent Burden25.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,083
1 Bedroom$1,161
2 Bedrooms$1,429
3 Bedrooms$1,861
4 Bedrooms$2,178

Ownership & Property

Homeownership43.6%
Owner-Occupied43.6%
Renter-Occupied56.4%
Housing Units19

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,800
49% below US avg
In Amherst, 30.0% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 10.3% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 5.8% of residents. 28.3% have high blood pressure. 14.6% are current smokers. 17.2% report binge drinking. 24.7% are physically inactive. 23.1% report depression (above the 20.0% national average). 18.2% experience frequent mental distress. 0.0% of residents lack health insurance (below the 8.6% national rate). The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,128. 82.3% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 8.4 out of 10.

Health Metrics: Amherst vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.0%
7% below US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure28.3%
Asthma11.1%
COPD6.6%
Cancer6.7%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.6%
4% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression23.1%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress14.6%
Short Sleep34.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured0.0%
100% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,128
Mental Health1:895
Checkup Rate68.4%
Dental Visits55.4%
Premature Death9,191/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access82.3%
Healthcare Facilities11
Amherst experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 3,691 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation3,691 ft (1,125 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density187/sq mi
Coordinates40.6832°N, 102.1726°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyPhillips County County
Nearest AirportColorado Plains Regional (AKO)
65 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.9"
53% below US avg
Snowfall 30.4"
Wettest Month (May) 2.83"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.32"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score12.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability11.4 / 100
Community Resilience6.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.0. Most recent: M3.0 on Apr 16, 2007.

Sep 30, 1990 29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska M3.0 138 km
Apr 16, 2007 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska M3.0 121 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

570 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 53 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 15, 1990 EF4 99 km 0
Oct 29, 1956 EF4 80 km 0
Aug 8, 2023 EF3 87 km 0
Jul 5, 2000 EF3 45 km 0
May 2, 1991 EF3 30 km 0
Aug 15, 1974 EF3 84 km 0
Jun 6, 1967 EF3 59 km 0
Jun 27, 1960 EF3 27 km 2
Jun 27, 1960 EF3 71 km 0
Jun 5, 1953 EF3 70 km 0
May 23, 2024 EF2 72 km 0
May 19, 2024 EF2 73 km 0
May 26, 2021 EF2 79 km 0
Sep 11, 2019 EF2 66 km 0
Sep 11, 2019 EF2 70 km 0
May 7, 2016 EF2 63 km 0
Mar 28, 2007 EF2 35 km 0
Jun 20, 2003 EF2 80 km 0
Jul 13, 1996 EF2 83 km 0
May 21, 1995 EF2 59 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

16 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: LOGAN (30,076 ac, 2017).

Year Name Acres Distance
2017 LOGAN 30,076 47 km
2012 UNNAMED 17,990 100 km
2012 KEITH COUNTY COMPLEX 13,526 78 km
2000 DRYWELLS 6,492 95 km
1997 UNNAMED 4,777 70 km
2002 UNNAMED 3,275 85 km
2000 UNNAMED 3,192 93 km
2022 COUNTY ROAD R 2,080 75 km
2018 COUNTY ROAD 56 1,866 34 km
1994 STABLE 1,706 82 km
1989 UNNAMED 1,544 76 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,476 88 km
2000 UNNAMED 1,318 79 km
1990 UNNAMED 1,285 82 km
1994 UNNAMED 1,262 100 km
2006 I 76 1,033 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 27°F (-3°C) 0.3 in Coldest, Driest
February 29°F (-1°C) 0.5 in
March 38°F (4°C) 0.9 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.9 in
May 57°F (14°C) 2.8 in Wettest
June 68°F (20°C) 2.8 in
July 73°F (23°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 2.4 in
September 63°F (17°C) 1.4 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.2 in
November 37°F (3°C) 0.5 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 0.4 in

Amherst has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 27°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.3").

View full weather details →
Amherst is located in Phillips County. It is classified as Nonmetro / Rural, a rural community. 0.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 100% below the national average of 33.7%. 30.9% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). Area schools have an average test score of 5.7 out of 10. In the 2024 presidential election, the county voted Republican with 80.2% of the vote, a 62.7-point margin. 100.0% of households have broadband internet access (above the 90.0% national rate). The area has 2 EV charging stations. There are 2 public libraries serving the community. 11 healthcare facilities operate in the area.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80.2%
D 17.5%

Winner: Republican by 62.7 points

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
Traffic Accidents3
Avg Accident Severity2.0 / 4.0

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+30.9%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.69
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro / Rural
Population Density187/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi
CountyPhillips County County

Services

Broadband Access100.0%
Avg Download Speed105.9 Mbps
Avg Upload Speed92.2 Mbps
EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants11
Retail Stores17

Commute & Transportation

Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%
Average costs for common services in Amherst. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.

Healthcare

Doctor Visit (Primary Care) $258 ($155-$412)
Specialist Visit $361 ($206-$567)
Urgent Care Visit $206 ($103-$361)
Emergency Room Visit $2,268 ($825-$5,155)
Dental Cleaning $134 ($77-$206)
Dental Filling $258 ($155-$412)
View all 40 services

Auto Repair

Oil Change (Conventional) $46 ($26-$77)
Oil Change (Synthetic) $77 ($52-$124)
Brake Pad Replacement $309 ($155-$516)
Tire Rotation $41 ($21-$77)
New Tires (Set of 4) $619 ($412-$1,031)
Battery Replacement $206 ($103-$361)
View all 18 services

Home Services

Plumber (Per Hour) $103 ($62-$155)
Electrician (Per Hour) $93 ($52-$144)
HVAC Repair $412 ($155-$825)
HVAC System Install $7,217 ($4,124-$12,372)
Roof Repair $1,031 ($412-$2,062)
Roof Replacement $9,279 ($5,671-$15,465)
View all 25 services

Legal

Divorce (Uncontested) $1,547 ($516-$3,609)
Divorce (Contested) $15,465 ($5,155-$30,930)
DUI Defense $5,155 ($2,062-$10,310)
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) $1,547 ($825-$3,093)
Will Preparation $516 ($206-$1,031)
Trust Preparation $2,578 ($1,031-$5,155)
View all 12 services

Personal Care

Men's Haircut $26 ($15-$46)
Women's Haircut $57 ($31-$103)
Hair Coloring (Full) $155 ($77-$258)
Manicure $26 ($15-$46)
Pedicure $41 ($26-$67)
Massage (1 Hour) $82 ($52-$134)
View all 12 services

Food & Grocery

Gallon of Milk (per gallon) $4.23 ($3.09-$5.67)
Dozen Eggs (per dozen) $3.61 ($2.58-$5.16)
Loaf of Bread $3.92 ($2.58-$5.67)
Chicken Breast (per lb) $4.64 ($3.09-$6.70)
Ground Beef (per lb) $5.67 ($4.12-$7.73)
Rice (per lb) $1.03 ($0.62-$1.86)
View all 20 services

Utilities

Electricity (Monthly) $144 ($82-$258)
Natural Gas (Monthly) $72 ($31-$155)
Water/Sewer (Monthly) $72 ($41-$124)
Internet (Monthly) $72 ($41-$103)
Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) $67 ($31-$103)
Cable TV (Monthly) $88 ($52-$155)
View all 8 services

Transportation

Monthly Parking (Downtown) $206 ($77-$516)
Car Insurance (Annual) $2,062 ($1,237-$3,609)
Bus Pass (Monthly) $72 ($31-$134)
Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) $15 ($8.25-$26)
Car Registration (Annual) $103 ($31-$258)
Driver's License Renewal $31 ($15-$77)
View all 8 services

Education & Childcare

Daycare (Infant, Monthly) $1,237 ($619-$2,578)
Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) $1,031 ($516-$2,062)
After-School Care (Monthly) $412 ($206-$722)
Tutoring (Per Hour) $52 ($26-$103)
SAT/ACT Prep Course $1,031 ($412-$2,578)
Private School (K-12, Annual) $12,888 ($5,155-$30,930)
View all 8 services

Pets

Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) $62 ($31-$103)
Dog Vaccination (Annual) $103 ($52-$206)
Dog Grooming $62 ($31-$103)
Pet Boarding (Per Night) $41 ($21-$77)
Dog Spay/Neuter $309 ($155-$516)
Cat Spay/Neuter $206 ($103-$412)
View all 9 services

Childcare

Center-Based (monthly)
Infant$450
Toddler$549
Preschool$377
Family Childcare (monthly)
Infant$811
Toddler$811
Preschool$811
Source: DOL Women's Bureau (2022)

Top Industries in Phillips County

Largest private-sector industries by employment (BLS QCEW 2024 data, county level).

Industry Jobs Establishments Avg Annual Pay Location Quotient
Agriculture & Forestry 408 29 $52,278 28.29
Wholesale Trade 127 16 $64,670 1.81
Retail Trade 126 18 $27,842 0.71
Professional & Technical Services 62 18 $61,022 0.50
Construction 51 14 $38,862 0.55
Finance & Insurance 42 10 $56,529 0.58
Information & Technology 23 5 $56,382 0.69
Other Services 14 8 $38,754 0.26
Manufacturing 13 3 $31,102 0.09
Real Estate 5 4 $12,690 0.18

National Parks Near Amherst

1 national parks and monuments found near Amherst.

ParkTypeFee
Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail National Historic Trail Free

Museums in Amherst

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
PHILLIPS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUMHISTORIC PRESERVATION9708542129

Libraries in Amherst

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
HOLYOKE/HEGINBOTHAM LIBRARY539 SOUTH BAXTER STREET0.018,767

Cell Towers in Amherst

AddressStructure TypeHeight (ft)
(Holyoke) 20538 COUNTY ROAD 37GTOWER97

Bridges in Amherst

LocationTypeKindYear BuiltLength (ft)Daily TrafficCondition
Stringer/Multi-beamWood or Timber194948580P
CulvertConcrete200132560G
Stringer/Multi-beamSteel200437145G
Stringer/Multi-beamSteel continuous199110292F
Stringer/Multi-beamSteel19842217F

Airports Near Amherst

27 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Billy G Ray Field-Small Airport
Cornelius Farm Airport-Small Airport
El-Co Airport-Small Airport
Garden County Airport/King Rhiley FieldOKSSmall Airport
Grant Municipal Airport-Small Airport
Haxtun Municipal Airport-Small Airport
Hendricks Field-Small Airport
Holyoke Airport-Small Airport
Holzfaster's Airport-Small Airport
Hoppy's Airport-Small Airport
Imperial Municipal AirportIMLSmall Airport
Jantzen Airport-Small Airport
Jones Airport-Small Airport
Julesburg Municipal Airport-Small Airport
Koenig Airport-Small Airport
Kumor Airport-Small Airport
Larrabee Farm Airport-Small Airport
McClung Aerial Spraying Airport-Small Airport
Miller Airstrip-Small Airport
Ogallala Municipal Airport Searle FieldOGASmall Airport
Regier Brothers Airport-Small Airport
Shelburnes Airport-Small Airport
Smith Field-Small Airport
Stults Family Farm Airport-Small Airport
Whomble Airport-Small Airport
Wray Municipal Airport-Small Airport
Yuma Municipal Airport-Small Airport

Treatment Centers in Amherst

1 treatment centers.

CenterTypePhone
Centennial Mental Health Center IncBoth970-854-2114

Churches & Religious Organizations in Amherst

2 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
SAINT PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH300 MONMOUTH AVE
SAINT PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH300 MONMOUTH AVE

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Meteorites
1
Confirmed meteorite landing sites recorded in NASA meteorite catalog
View all →

Meteorites Near Amherst

1 meteorite landings recorded by NASA found near Amherst.

Name Year Description
Sand Draw 1947

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Frequently Asked Questions About Amherst

What is the population of Amherst?

Amherst has a population of 84 residents and is located in Colorado. The population density is 187 people per square mile, spread across 0.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 26.8 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 53.6% female and 46.4% male.

Is Amherst expensive to live in?

Amherst has a cost of living roughly in line with the national average, with an index of 103.1 (baseline: 100).

What is the weather like in Amherst?

Amherst has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winter temperatures average 27°F in January, while summers reach an average of 73°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 17.9 inches, with 30.4 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Amherst?

The job market in Amherst is very strong, with unemployment at just 0.0% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $961. There are 186 business establishments in the area, including 11 restaurants and food service locations.

How are the schools in Amherst?

Schools in Amherst score 5.7 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 0.0% of adults in Amherst hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.9% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.

How healthy is Amherst?

The obesity rate in Amherst is 30.0% (below the national rate of 32.1%). 14.6% of adults are smokers. 24.7% are physically inactive. 23.1% of residents report depression. 0.0% lack health insurance (below the national rate). 82.3% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,128.

What are the demographics of Amherst?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Amherst is 20.2% White, 79.8% Hispanic or Latino. 20.2% of residents speak only English at home, while 100% speak Spanish. 0.0% of the population are military veterans. 39.3% of residents have a disability. 100.0% have health insurance coverage.

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