Black Forest, CO

Colorado · Metropolitan Area

Black Forest is a small city in Colorado with a population of 14,658. Residents earn $142,173 per year, which is 89% above the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
14,658 Population 146/sq mi density
$142,173 Median Income $65,532 per capita
$805,200 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$142,173 median income, 3.7% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$805,200 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
57.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $142,173
89% higher than US avg
Home Value $805,200
186% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 57.0%
69% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.1%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population14,658
Median Age48.7 yrs
Density146/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

A+
Median Income$142,173
Per Capita$65,532
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$31,178M
Commute30 min

Housing

B
Home Value$805,200
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity25.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain21.6 in/yr
Elevation7,521 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+57.0%
High School+98.0%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 45%
Commute30 min
Libraries7

Is Black Forest a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Black Forest receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Black Forest stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Black Forest is $142,173, which is significantly higher than the national average — 89% above $75,149. This places Black Forest among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Black Forest is $805,200, making it a premium housing market at 186% above the U.S. median of $281,900. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Black Forest is a highly educated community — 57.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Black Forest has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.6 inches, including 101.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Black Forest has a population of 14,658 with a density of 146 people per square mile. The median age is 48.7 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.9%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 2.4% Black.

Population

14,658
Total Population
146
People / sq mi
48.7yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
100.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Black Forest vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.7%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.3%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Black Forest vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Black Forest is $142,173, which is 89% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Black Forest vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$142,173
89% above US avg
Per Capita Income$65,532
Avg Weekly Wage$1,634
IRS Avg AGI$146,479

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)16,132
County GDP$31,178M

Business (County)

Restaurants647
Healthcare1,115
Retail955
Manufacturing156

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,238
50% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.65%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.9 min
Work from Home29.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Black Forest is $805,200, 186% above the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$805,200
186% above US avg
Median List Price$1,300,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,300,000
$/Sq Ft$0
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops19.0%
Inventory95

Rental Costs

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-Occupied95.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,238
50% above US avg
Effective Rate0.65%
In Black Forest, 25.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 14.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Black Forest vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.1%
22% below US avg
Diabetes6.5%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure24.6%
Asthma11.4%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity14.0%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.5%
Checkup Rate73.8%
Premature Death4,121/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access91.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,115

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Black Forest has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 21.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average43.9°F
19% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall21.6 inches
43% below US avg
Snowfall101.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation7,521 ft (2,292 m)
Area100.6 sq mi (260.7 km²)
Population Density146/sq mi
Coordinates39.0636°N, 104.6796°W
County FIPS08035
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 57.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 52.3%
D 45.3%

Winner: Republican by 7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+57.0%
69% above US avg
High School+98.0%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density146/sq mi
Total Area100.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities1,115
Restaurants647
Retail Stores955

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.9 min
Work from Home29.6%

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