Colorado · Metropolitan Area
Fort Collins is a large city in Colorado with a population of 169,705. Residents earn $83,598 per year, which is 11% above the national average.
Based on current data, Fort Collins receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Fort Collins offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Fort Collins is $83,598, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
The median home value in Fort Collins is $548,400, making it a premium housing market at 95% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,661 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Violent crime in Fort Collins is below the national average at 214 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,456 per 100,000, 25% above the national average.
Fort Collins is a highly educated community — 59.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.
Fort Collins experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. With 323 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 19.3 inches, including 36.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
| English Only | 89.5% |
| 14% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 10.5% |
| 22% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $83,598 |
| 11% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,344 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $94,423 |
| Unemployment | 3.6% |
| 0% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% |
| 55% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 15,314 |
| County GDP | $28,483M |
| Restaurants | 1,012 |
| Healthcare | 1,279 |
| Retail | 1,260 |
| Manufacturing | 440 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,508 |
| 29% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.82% |
| Commute Time | 20.0 min |
| Work from Home | 20.2% |
| Census Median | $548,400 |
| 95% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $556,327 |
| Median List Price | $550,000 |
| Median List Price | $550,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $275 |
| Homes Sold | 145 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 98.7% |
| Price Drops | 16.4% |
| Inventory | 482 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,661 |
| 43% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,970 |
| Studio | $1,083 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,161 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,429 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,861 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,178 |
| Owner-Occupied | 52.1% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,508 |
| 29% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.82% |
| Obesity | 24.9% |
| 22% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.1% |
| Heart Disease | 4.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 25.0% |
| Asthma | 11.4% |
| COPD | 5.0% |
| Stroke | 2.5% |
| Binge Drinking | 19.5% |
| Physical Inactivity | 14.5% |
| Depression | 25.4% |
| Mental Distress | 17.3% |
| Physical Distress | 11.7% |
| Insurance Rate | 94.0% |
| Checkup Rate | 69.3% |
| Premature Death | 5,743/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.6/10 |
| Exercise Access | 91.9% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,279 |
| Total Violent | 213.6/100K |
| 44% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.7/100K |
| 90% below US avg | |
| Rape | 26.6/100K |
| Robbery | 23.4/100K |
| Assault | 163.0/100K |
| Total Property | 2,455.6/100K |
| 25% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 317.5/100K |
| Theft | 2,040.1/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 98.0/100K |
| Arson | 15.6/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 30 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 47.4°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
| Annual Rainfall | 19.3 inches |
| 49% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 36.1 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 5,000 ft (1,524 m) |
| Area | 57.2 sq mi (148.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,965/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.5482°N, 105.0648°W |
| County FIPS | 08069 |
Winner: Democrat by 17.6 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% |
| 78% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 97.6% |
| School Test Score | 5.90 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 2,965/sq mi |
| Total Area | 57.2 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 105 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 107 |
| Public Libraries | 8 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,279 |
| Restaurants | 1,012 |
| Retail Stores | 1,260 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 30 |
| Avg Commute | 20.0 min |
| Work from Home | 20.2% |