Rocky Ford, CO

Colorado

Rocky Ford is a small town in Colorado with a population of 3,843. Residents earn $35,658 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,843 Population 2,288/sq mi density
$35,658 Median Income $18,222 per capita
$126,100 Home Value $145,449 Zillow
$756 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
128 Violent Crime/100K 154 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$35,658 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$126,100 home value, $756/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
128 violent crimes/100K (66% below avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
11.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,658
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $126,100
55% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 128/100K
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.9%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $756
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.5%
81% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,843
Median Age32.0 yrs
Density2,288/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 61%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,658
Per Capita$18,222
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty22.5%
County GDP$176M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$126,100
Rent$756
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$145,449

Crime

F
Violent128/100K
Property154/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault128/100K
Burglary103/100K

Health

Obesity39.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.6%
Heart Disease7.8%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain12.6 in/yr
Elevation4,184 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.9%
High School+90.4%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 25%
Commute18 min
Libraries2

Is Rocky Ford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rocky Ford receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Rocky Ford has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rocky Ford is $35,658, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 22.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rocky Ford is $126,100, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $756 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Rocky Ford is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 128 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 154 per 100,000, 92% below the national average.

Education

11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Rocky Ford experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.6 inches, including 24.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Rocky Ford has a population of 3,843 with a density of 2,288 people per square mile. The median age is 32.0 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60.7%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

3,843
Total Population
2,288
People / sq mi
32.0yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Rocky Ford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.3%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.7%
25% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Rocky Ford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rocky Ford is $35,658, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Rocky Ford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,658
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,222
Avg Weekly Wage$1,069
IRS Avg AGI$43,934

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate22.5%
81% above US avg
Establishments (County)76
County GDP$176M

Business (County)

Healthcare5
Retail11

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.2 min
Work from Home2.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Rocky Ford is $126,100, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $756 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $145,449.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$126,100
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$145,449

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$756
35% 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-Occupied65.7%

Property Tax

In Rocky Ford, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.6% report depression. 34.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rocky Ford vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes15.5%
Heart Disease7.8%
High Blood Pressure33.9%
Asthma11.6%
COPD9.2%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.1%
Physical Inactivity34.3%
Depression23.6%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress19.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.6%
Checkup Rate68.5%
Premature Death16,105/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access2.1%
Healthcare Facilities5
Rocky Ford has a violent crime rate of 128 per 100,000 residents, 66% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 154 per 100,000 (92% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent128.2/100K
66% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault128.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property153.9/100K
92% below US avg
Burglary102.6/100K
Theft51.3/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rocky Ford has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.8°F
0% below US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.6 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall24.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,184 ft (1,275 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density2,288/sq mi
Coordinates38.0499°N, 103.7221°W
County FIPS08025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.2%
D 24.7%

Winner: Republican by 47.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.9%
65% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score5.90
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density2,288/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities5
Retail Stores11

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.2 min
Work from Home2.1%

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