Chaffee County, Colorado
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Chaffee County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Chaffee County
Income Verdict
Chaffee County has a median household income of $70,909 and per capita income of $43,357 — a gap of $27,552, suggesting a higher share of single-earner or non-family households.
Housing Affordability
Median gross rent of $1,514/month represents about 25.6% of monthly household income in Chaffee County, approaching the 30% cost-burden threshold.
Economic Context
A median household income of $70,909 suggests moderate-to-strong purchasing power, generally sufficient to cover essentials with room for discretionary spending in most markets. Per capita income of $43,357 is in line with national norms for individual earners.
Neighbor Context
Chaffee County earns approximately 5.2% below the Colorado state median household income of $74,792.
Data Story
About Household Income in Chaffee County, Colorado
Chaffee trails national income slightly
Chaffee County's median household income of $70,909 falls about $3,846 below the U.S. median of $74,755. While the county doesn't rank among the wealthiest nationally, its income level places it solidly in the middle-upper range for rural Colorado communities.
Mid-pack in Colorado's income ladder
At $70,909, Chaffee's median household income runs slightly below Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks in the middle tier among Colorado's 64 counties, reflecting its mix of tourism, outdoor recreation, and skilled trades employment.
Clear Creek and Custer outpace Chaffee
Neighboring Clear Creek County significantly outearns Chaffee at $96,667 median household income, while nearby Custer County edges ahead at $72,700. Chaffee's income sits between these mountain neighbors, likely reflecting differences in mining heritage and current economic diversification.
Housing costs bite into Chaffee budgets
Chaffee residents spend 25.6% of median household income on rent—well above the 20% affordability threshold and higher than most Colorado counties. With a median home value of $598,500, homeownership requires substantial income, making housing one of the county's chief affordability challenges.
Strategic saving bridges Chaffee's income gap
Chaffee households earning $70,909 can maximize retirement contributions and build emergency savings to weather Colorado's high housing costs. Even modest investments in diversified funds or employer 401(k) matching can compound significantly over time, helping families reach wealth stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
See how your household income compares in Chaffee County
Your income is above the Chaffee County median
County median: $84,132 per year
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vs. State Average
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vs. National Median
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Income Adequacy
Your monthly income ($7,011) vs. median rent ($1,611/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.