Aspen, CO

Colorado

Aspen is a small city in Colorado with a population of 6,862. Residents earn $78,636 per year, which is 5% above the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
6,862 Population 1,778/sq mi density
$78,636 Median Income $111,266 per capita
$1,375,000 Home Value $3,362,252 Zillow
$1,897 Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
104 Violent Crime/100K 4,241 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$78,636 median income, 1.8% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,375,000 home value, $1,897/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
104 violent crimes/100K (73% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
68.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,636
5% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,375,000
388% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 104/100K
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 68.3%
103% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,897
63% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 20.4%
36% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.4%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,862
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density1,778/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$78,636
Per Capita$111,266
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty3.4%
County GDP$3,847M
Commute14 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,375,000
Rent$1,897
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$3,362,252

Crime

F
Violent104/100K
Property4,241/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault44/100K
Burglary282/100K

Health

Obesity20.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain24.5 in/yr
Elevation7,926 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+68.3%
High School+99.1%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 27% / D 71%
Commute14 min
EV Stations45
Libraries1

Is Aspen a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Aspen receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Aspen has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Aspen is $78,636, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Aspen is $1,375,000, making it a premium housing market at 388% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,897 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 17.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Aspen is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 104 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,241 per 100,000, 116% above the national average.

Education

Aspen is a highly educated community — 68.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Aspen has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.5 inches, including 170.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Aspen has a population of 6,862 with a density of 1,778 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84%), with 1.2% Black.

Population

6,862
Total Population
1,778
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
3.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Aspen vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only82.4%
5% above US avg
Spanish17.6%
31% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Aspen vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Aspen is $78,636, which is 5% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Aspen vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,636
5% above US avg
Per Capita Income$111,266
Avg Weekly Wage$1,503
IRS Avg AGI$308,320

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.4%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,084
County GDP$3,847M

Business (County)

Restaurants168
Healthcare84
Retail228
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$18,658
433% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.2 min
Work from Home17.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Aspen is $1,375,000, 388% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,897 (63% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $3,362,252.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,375,000
388% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$3,362,252
Median List Price$3,550,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$3,550,000
$/Sq Ft$2,900
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio91.8%
Price Drops7.6%
Inventory158

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,897
63% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$17,917

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

Owner-Occupied59.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$18,658
433% above US avg
Effective Rate1.36%
In Aspen, 20.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 12.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity20.4%
36% below US avg
Diabetes6.6%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure23.6%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.0%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity12.7%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress14.7%
Physical Distress9.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate70.6%
Premature Death3,488/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access94.6%
Healthcare Facilities84
Aspen has a violent crime rate of 104 per 100,000 residents, 73% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,241 per 100,000 (116% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Aspen vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent103.8/100K
73% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape59.3/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault44.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,240.8/100K
116% above US avg
Burglary281.7/100K
Theft3,870.1/100K
Vehicle Theft89.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Aspen has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 62°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average40.6°F
25% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average62°F (17°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.5 inches
36% below US avg
Snowfall170.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation7,926 ft (2,416 m)
Area3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
Population Density1,778/sq mi
Coordinates39.1952°N, 106.8368°W
County FIPS08097
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 68.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (103% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 44.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 26.8%
D 71%

Winner: Democrat by 44.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+68.3%
103% above US avg
High School+99.1%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,778/sq mi
Total Area3.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations45
Alt Fuel Stations45
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities84
Restaurants168
Retail Stores228

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.2 min
Work from Home17.1%

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