Carbondale, CO

Colorado

Carbondale is a small city in Colorado with a population of 6,553. Residents earn $94,300 per year, which is 25% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
6,553 Population 3,150/sq mi density
$94,300 Median Income $54,170 per capita
$796,100 Home Value $1,415,112 Zillow
$2,255 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$94,300 median income, 2.7% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$796,100 home value, $2,255/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
56.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $94,300
25% higher than US avg
Home Value $796,100
182% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 56.3%
67% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,255
94% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.9%
29% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.5%
9% higher than US avg

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

People

Population6,553
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density3,150/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 78%

Economy

A
Median Income$94,300
Per Capita$54,170
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty13.5%
County GDP$5,011M
Commute27 min

Housing

D
Home Value$796,100
Rent$2,255
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,415,112

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity22.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.1%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain15.5 in/yr
Elevation6,202 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+56.3%
High School+89.2%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 50%
Commute27 min
EV Stations19
Libraries6

Is Carbondale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carbondale receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Carbondale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carbondale is $94,300, 25% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 13.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carbondale is $796,100, making it a premium housing market at 182% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,255 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Carbondale is a highly educated community — 56.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 89.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Carbondale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.5 inches, including 38.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Carbondale has a population of 6,553 with a density of 3,150 people per square mile. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.5%), with 2.5% Hispanic.

Population

6,553
Total Population
3,150
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.6%
Female 44.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Carbondale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.9%
3% above US avg
Spanish19.1%
43% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Carbondale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carbondale is $94,300, which is 25% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Carbondale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$94,300
25% above US avg
Per Capita Income$54,170
Avg Weekly Wage$1,241
IRS Avg AGI$94,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.5%
9% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,052
County GDP$5,011M

Business (County)

Restaurants228
Healthcare183
Retail257
Manufacturing42

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,523
29% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.1 min
Work from Home14.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Carbondale is $796,100, 182% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,255 (94% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,415,112.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$796,100
182% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,415,112
Median List Price$1,425,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,425,000
$/Sq Ft$779
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops10.5%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,255
94% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$4,298

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-Occupied64.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,523
29% above US avg
Effective Rate0.57%
In Carbondale, 22.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.1% report depression. 16.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.9%
29% below US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure24.5%
Asthma10.7%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity16.4%
Depression21.1%
Mental Distress15.7%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.1%
Checkup Rate70.3%
Premature Death6,090/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access83.2%
Healthcare Facilities183

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Carbondale has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.5 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall38.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6,202 ft (1,890 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density3,150/sq mi
Coordinates39.3956°N, 107.2150°W
County FIPS08045
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 56.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.7%
D 49.8%

Winner: Democrat by 2.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+56.3%
67% above US avg
High School+89.2%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density3,150/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations19
Alt Fuel Stations19
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities183
Restaurants228
Retail Stores257

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.1 min
Work from Home14.8%

Nearby Cities

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