La Junta, CO

Colorado

La Junta is a small city in Colorado with a population of 7,211. Residents earn $54,253 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,211 Population 2,253/sq mi density
$54,253 Median Income $29,827 per capita
$180,700 Home Value $156,866 Zillow
$709 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
255 Violent Crime/100K 5,475 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$54,253 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$180,700 home value, $709/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
255 violent crimes/100K (33% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,253
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $180,700
36% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 255/100K
33% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.0%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $709
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.4%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.8%
52% higher than US avg

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

People

Population7,211
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density2,253/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 70%

Economy

B
Median Income$54,253
Per Capita$29,827
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty18.8%
County GDP$739M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$180,700
Rent$709
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$156,866

Crime

F
Violent255/100K
Property5,475/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault113/100K
Burglary1,726/100K

Health

Obesity35.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain13.6 in/yr
Elevation4,124 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.0%
High School+83.9%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 35%
Commute23 min
EV Stations8
Libraries4

Is La Junta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Junta receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. La Junta has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Junta is $54,253, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 18.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Junta is $180,700, 36% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $709 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in La Junta is below the national average at 255 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,475 per 100,000, 179% above the national average.

Education

18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

La Junta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.6 inches, including 33.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

La Junta has a population of 7,211 with a density of 2,253 people per square mile. The median age is 39.6 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.9%), with 4.8% Hispanic, 1.2% Black.

Population

7,211
Total Population
2,253
People / sq mi
39.6yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

La Junta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.7%
7% above US avg
Spanish16.3%
22% above US avg

Social Characteristics

La Junta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Junta is $54,253, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: La Junta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,253
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,827
Avg Weekly Wage$892
IRS Avg AGI$47,834

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.8%
52% above US avg
Establishments (County)512
County GDP$739M

Business (County)

Restaurants48
Healthcare51
Retail61
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,533
56% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.9 min
Work from Home5.5%

Walkability

The median home value in La Junta is $180,700, 36% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $709 (39% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $156,866.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$180,700
36% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$156,866

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$709
39% 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-Occupied65.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,533
56% below US avg
Effective Rate0.85%
In La Junta, 35.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 27.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.4%
10% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure30.1%
Asthma11.6%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.4%
Physical Inactivity27.2%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.9%
Checkup Rate68.8%
Premature Death13,766/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access76.8%
Healthcare Facilities51
La Junta has a violent crime rate of 255 per 100,000 residents, 33% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,475 per 100,000 (179% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent254.7/100K
33% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape42.4/100K
Robbery99.0/100K
Assault113.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,475.4/100K
179% above US avg
Burglary1,726.1/100K
Theft3,522.9/100K
Vehicle Theft226.4/100K
Arson28.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
La Junta has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 13.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall13.6 inches
64% below US avg
Snowfall33.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,124 ft (1,257 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density2,253/sq mi
Coordinates37.9794°N, 103.5473°W
County FIPS08089
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.9%
D 35.5%

Winner: Republican by 26.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.0%
47% below US avg
High School+83.9%
School Test Score5.90
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density2,253/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities51
Restaurants48
Retail Stores61

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.9 min
Work from Home5.5%

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