At a Glance
Median Income
$50,385
$30,857 per capita
Home Value
$240,700
Zillow: $283,780
Median Rent
$1,479/mo
51.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
25.7%
92.8% high school+
Unemployment
9.0%
20.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
33.0%
13.4% smoking rate
How Blende Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Blende's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Blende a Good Place to Live?
B
3.1 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Blende residents earn a median household income of $50,385 , which is 33% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $30,857. The unemployment rate stands at 9.0% (150% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 20.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 3,891 business establishments, including 343 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Blende is $240,700 , 15% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $283,780. Median rent is $1,479/month, with 51.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 103.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1960.
Education
25.7% of adults in Blende hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(24% below the national average).
92.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.4/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Blende has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C).
Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.
Data Overview
People
Population646
Median Age55.9 yrs
Density769/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born0.9%
Veterans7.8%
Economy
C
Median Income$50,385
Per Capita$30,857
Unemployment9.0%
Poverty20.4%
County GDP$8,764M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,080
Housing
B+
Home Value$240,700
Rent$1,479
Ownership68.2%
Zillow$283,780
Housing Units338
Rent Burden51.0%
Health
Obesity33.0%
Diabetes10.9%
Smoking13.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
Premature Death13,502/100K
Climate
Avg Temp53°F
Rain12.0 in/yr
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation4,718 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+25.7%
High School+92.8%
Graduate+6.5%
School Score5.4/10
Community
2024 VoteR 51% / D 46%
Commute20 min
Broadband86.5%
Internet Speed109 Mbps
EV Stations36
Libraries8
Did You Know?
The median home in Blende was built in 1960.
The nearest airport is San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (91 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.453 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
21.2% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 109 Mbps.
There are 343 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 34 fatal vehicle crashes.
273 declared natural disasters on record.