Blue River, CO

Colorado

Blue River is a small town in Colorado with a population of 1,145. Residents earn $119,375 per year, which is 59% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
1,145 Population 471/sq mi density
$119,375 Median Income $51,396 per capita
$1,171,900 Home Value
$2,442 Median Rent
32°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$119,375 median income, 0.6% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.1 / 5.0
$1,171,900 home value, $2,442/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
55.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $119,375
59% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,171,900
316% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 55.9%
66% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,442
110% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 21.6%
33% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,145
Median Age32.9 yrs
Density471/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A+
Median Income$119,375
Per Capita$51,396
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$4,341M
Commute19 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,171,900
Rent$2,442
OwnershipN/A

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property229/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary115/100K

Health

Obesity21.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease4.1%

Climate

Avg Temp32°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain25.2 in/yr

Education

A+
Bachelor's+55.9%
High School+95.1%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 30% / D 67%
Commute19 min
Libraries3

Is Blue River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Blue River receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Blue River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Blue River is $119,375, which is significantly higher than the national average — 59% above $75,149. This places Blue River among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Blue River is $1,171,900, making it a premium housing market at 316% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,442 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Blue River is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 229 per 100,000, 88% below the national average.

Education

Blue River is a highly educated community — 55.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Blue River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 32°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 53°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.2 inches, including 294.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Blue River has a population of 1,145 with a density of 471 people per square mile. The median age is 32.9 years, 15% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.4%).

Population

1,145
Total Population
471
People / sq mi
32.9yrs
Median Age
15% below US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.6%
Female 55.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Blue River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Blue River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Blue River is $119,375, which is 59% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Blue River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$119,375
59% above US avg
Per Capita Income$51,396
Avg Weekly Wage$1,093
IRS Avg AGI$124,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,515
County GDP$4,341M

Business (County)

Restaurants293
Healthcare117
Retail313
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,616
60% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.1 min
Work from Home28.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Blue River is $1,171,900, 316% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,442 (110% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,171,900
316% above US avg
Median List Price$1,095,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,095,000
$/Sq Ft$859
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio93.0%
Price Drops12.5%
Inventory8

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,442
110% above US avg

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-Occupied79.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,616
60% above US avg
Effective Rate0.48%
In Blue River, 21.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 11.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Blue River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity21.6%
33% below US avg
Diabetes6.1%
Heart Disease4.1%
High Blood Pressure22.9%
Asthma10.4%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.4%
Physical Inactivity11.8%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress14.6%
Physical Distress9.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.3%
Checkup Rate71.1%
Premature Death4,162/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities117
Blue River has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 229 per 100,000 (88% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property229.4/100K
88% below US avg
Burglary114.7/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft114.7/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Blue River has an average annual temperature of 32°F (0°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 53°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 53°F Jul (12°C)
Annual Average32.2°F
40% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average53°F (12°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.2 inches
34% below US avg
Snowfall294.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²)
Population Density471/sq mi
Coordinates39.4485°N, 106.0368°W
County FIPS08117
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 55.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 37.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 29.9%
D 67.1%

Winner: Democrat by 37.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+55.9%
66% above US avg
High School+95.1%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density471/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities117
Restaurants293
Retail Stores313

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.1 min
Work from Home28.4%

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