Salida, CO

Colorado

Salida is a small city in Colorado with a population of 5,786. Residents earn $69,773 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
5,786 Population 2,059/sq mi density
$69,773 Median Income $46,002 per capita
$583,400 Home Value $688,727 Zillow
$1,567 Median Rent
35°F Avg Temperature
147 Violent Crime/100K 3,172 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$69,773 median income, 1.6% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$583,400 home value, $1,567/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
147 violent crimes/100K (61% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
56.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,773
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $583,400
107% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 147/100K
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 56.1%
66% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,567
35% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.9%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.1%
30% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,786
Median Age43.1 yrs
Density2,059/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B+
Median Income$69,773
Per Capita$46,002
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty16.1%
County GDP$2,073M
Commute18 min

Housing

D
Home Value$583,400
Rent$1,567
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$688,727

Crime

F
Violent147/100K
Property3,172/100K
Murder18.3/100K
Assault92/100K
Burglary550/100K

Health

Obesity24.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp35°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain10.6 in/yr
Elevation7,093 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+56.1%
High School+96.3%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute18 min
EV Stations13
Libraries4

Is Salida a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Salida receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Salida offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Salida is $69,773, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. The poverty rate of 16.1% 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 Salida is $583,400, making it a premium housing market at 107% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,567 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Salida is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 147 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,172 per 100,000, 62% above the national average.

Education

Salida is a highly educated community — 56.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Salida has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 35°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.6 inches, including 49.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Salida has a population of 5,786 with a density of 2,059 people per square mile. The median age is 43.1 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.1%), with 6.3% Hispanic.

Population

5,786
Total Population
2,059
People / sq mi
43.1yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Salida vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.5%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.5%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Salida vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Salida is $69,773, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Salida vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,773
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$46,002
Avg Weekly Wage$1,062
IRS Avg AGI$59,878

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.1%
30% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,124
County GDP$2,073M

Business (County)

Restaurants103
Healthcare98
Retail126
Manufacturing34

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,296
34% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.6 min
Work from Home18.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Salida is $583,400, 107% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,567 (35% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $688,727.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$583,400
107% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$688,727

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,567
35% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,275

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-Occupied59.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,296
34% below US avg
Effective Rate0.39%
In Salida, 24.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 15.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Salida vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.9%
22% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure25.2%
Asthma11.1%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity15.6%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Checkup Rate70.0%
Premature Death9,802/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access80.5%
Healthcare Facilities98
Salida has a violent crime rate of 147 per 100,000 residents, 61% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,172 per 100,000 (62% above US avg). The murder rate is 18.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent146.7/100K
61% below US avg
Murder18.3/100K
191% above US avg
Rape36.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault91.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,172.0/100K
62% above US avg
Burglary550.1/100K
Theft2,548.6/100K
Vehicle Theft73.3/100K
Arson73.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Salida has an average annual temperature of 35°F (2°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 58°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average35.4°F
34% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average58°F (15°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.6 inches
72% below US avg
Snowfall49.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation7,093 ft (2,162 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density2,059/sq mi
Coordinates38.5299°N, 105.9979°W
County FIPS08043
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 56.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68%
D 29.6%

Winner: Republican by 38.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+56.1%
66% above US avg
High School+96.3%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density2,059/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations13
Alt Fuel Stations13
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities98
Restaurants103
Retail Stores126

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.6 min
Work from Home18.8%

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