Crested Butte, CO

Colorado

Crested Butte is a small town in Colorado with a population of 1,436. Residents earn $71,923 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,436 Population 1,651/sq mi density
$71,923 Median Income $60,571 per capita
$928,100 Home Value $1,418,321 Zillow
$1,437 Median Rent
34°F Avg Temperature
327 Violent Crime/100K 981 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$71,923 median income, 4.2% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$928,100 home value, $1,437/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
327 violent crimes/100K (14% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
75.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,923
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $928,100
229% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 327/100K
14% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 75.7%
125% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,437
24% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.0%
31% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,436
Median Age44.6 yrs
Density1,651/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,923
Per Capita$60,571
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,305M
Commute11 min

Housing

F
Home Value$928,100
Rent$1,437
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,418,321

Crime

F
Violent327/100K
Property981/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault262/100K
Burglary65/100K

Health

Obesity22.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp34°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain23.8 in/yr
Elevation8,865 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+75.7%
High School+99.5%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 55%
Commute11 min
EV Stations10
Libraries2

Is Crested Butte a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Crested Butte receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Crested Butte has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Crested Butte is $71,923, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Crested Butte is $928,100, making it a premium housing market at 229% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,437 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 12.9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Crested Butte is below the national average at 327 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 981 per 100,000, 50% below the national average.

Education

Crested Butte is a highly educated community — 75.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Crested Butte has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 34°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.8 inches, including 203.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Crested Butte has a population of 1,436 with a density of 1,651 people per square mile. The median age is 44.6 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.3%).

Population

1,436
Total Population
1,651
People / sq mi
44.6yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Crested Butte vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Crested Butte vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Crested Butte is $71,923, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes.

Income: Crested Butte vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,923
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$60,571
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$89,973

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,244
County GDP$1,305M

Business (County)

Restaurants137
Healthcare88
Retail155
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,046
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time10.7 min
Work from Home20.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Crested Butte is $928,100, 229% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,437 (24% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,418,321.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$928,100
229% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,418,321

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,437
24% 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-Occupied65.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,046
13% below US avg
Effective Rate0.33%
In Crested Butte, 22.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 11.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Crested Butte vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.0%
31% below US avg
Diabetes5.8%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure22.2%
Asthma10.5%
COPD3.5%
Stroke2.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.0%
Physical Inactivity11.3%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress14.3%
Physical Distress8.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.6%
Checkup Rate71.1%
Premature Death6,516/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access99.9%
Healthcare Facilities88
Crested Butte has a violent crime rate of 327 per 100,000 residents, 14% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 981 per 100,000 (50% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent327.0/100K
14% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape65.4/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault261.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property981.0/100K
50% below US avg
Burglary65.4/100K
Theft784.8/100K
Vehicle Theft130.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Crested Butte has an average annual temperature of 34°F (1°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation is 23.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 58°F Jul (14°C)
Annual Average34.2°F
37% below US avg
January Average10°F (-12°C)
July Average58°F (14°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall23.8 inches
37% below US avg
Snowfall203.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation8,865 ft (2,702 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density1,651/sq mi
Coordinates38.8678°N, 106.9773°W
County FIPS08015
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 75.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (125% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 13.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41.9%
D 55.4%

Winner: Democrat by 13.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+75.7%
125% above US avg
High School+99.5%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,651/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities88
Restaurants137
Retail Stores155

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute10.7 min
Work from Home20.0%

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