La Jara, CO

Colorado

La Jara is a small town in Colorado with a population of 593. Residents earn $39,630 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
593 Population 1,446/sq mi density
$39,630 Median Income $25,603 per capita
$134,400 Home Value $202,104 Zillow
$692 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$39,630 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$134,400 home value, $692/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,630
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $134,400
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.2%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $692
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.6%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.7%
86% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 31.3%
152% higher than US avg

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

People

Population593
Median Age34.1 yrs
Density1,446/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

D
Median Income$39,630
Per Capita$25,603
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty31.3%
County GDP$912M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$134,400
Rent$692
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$202,104

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity30.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.0%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain7.8 in/yr
Elevation7,606 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+92.5%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 43%
Commute15 min
Libraries1

Is La Jara a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Jara receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. La Jara offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Jara is $39,630, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 31.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Jara is $134,400, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $692 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

La Jara has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 7.8 inches, including 29.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

La Jara has a population of 593 with a density of 1,446 people per square mile. The median age is 34.1 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.7%), with 12.5% Hispanic.

Population

593
Total Population
1,446
People / sq mi
34.1yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

La Jara vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only77.4%
1% below US avg
Spanish22.6%
69% above US avg

Social Characteristics

La Jara vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Jara is $39,630, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 31.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: La Jara vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,630
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,603
Avg Weekly Wage$947
IRS Avg AGI$57,919

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.7%
86% above US avg
Poverty Rate31.3%
152% above US avg
Establishments (County)623
County GDP$912M

Business (County)

Restaurants53
Healthcare79
Retail82
Manufacturing16

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,352
33% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.5 min
Work from Home15.1%

Walkability

The median home value in La Jara is $134,400, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $692 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $202,104.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$134,400
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$202,104

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$692
40% below 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-Occupied59.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,352
33% below US avg
Effective Rate1.75%
In La Jara, 30.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.0% report depression. 24.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: La Jara vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.6%
5% below US avg
Diabetes11.4%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure27.1%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.0%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.9%
Physical Inactivity24.6%
Depression21.0%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Checkup Rate69.8%
Premature Death12,905/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access82.1%
Healthcare Facilities79

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

La Jara has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 7.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average43.8°F
19% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall7.8 inches
80% below US avg
Snowfall29.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation7,606 ft (2,318 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density1,446/sq mi
Coordinates37.2735°N, 105.9597°W
County FIPS08003
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54%
D 43.1%

Winner: Republican by 10.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.2%
49% below US avg
High School+92.5%
School Test Score5.90
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,446/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities79
Restaurants53
Retail Stores82

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.5 min
Work from Home15.1%

Nearby Cities

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