Population 7,968 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in San Miguel County
Household size in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.26 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.26 | 2.63 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.27 | 2.64 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.81 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.46 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
San Miguel County is a place of small households, averaging 1.81 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.26 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. No other Colorado county has smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.7 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.9 | 37.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.6 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.7 | 39.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.1 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
San Miguel County skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.7, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 37.7 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 9.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 9.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in San Miguel County: 8.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The picture is much the same across Colorado. The single-parent share has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in San Miguel County
Renters in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.7% | 32.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 38.1% | 35.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 39.0% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 37.0% | 33.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in San Miguel County is about as common as it is nationally: 37.0% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in Colorado overall (33.8%). Among homeowners, 40.3% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.4% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 46.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 44.9% | 8.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.0% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −14.4 pts | −3.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 32.0% of the housing in San Miguel County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 14.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1990 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1991 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1993 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +7 | +6 |
San Miguel County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1993, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the north has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,198 | $1,051 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,236 | $1,165 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,173 | $1,450 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,022 | $1,963 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$824 | +$912 | +$606 |
The median renter in San Miguel County pays $2,022 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $824 a month from 2006–10, a 69% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 33.8% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in San Miguel County
Bachelor's degrees in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.1% | 36.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 55.8% | 37.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 61.3% | 40.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 67.4% | 45.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +19.2 pts | +9.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
San Miguel County is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (67.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 19.2 points, in line with the national trend. San Miguel County has the highest share of college graduates of any Colorado county.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.4% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.6% | 90.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.7% | 91.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.4% | 92.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in San Miguel County: 98.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Colorado's 64 counties, only three have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in San Miguel County
| Period | San Miguel County | Colorado | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.0% | 6.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 7.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.3% | 4.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 4.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in San Miguel County has been strong: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
San Miguel County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Miguel County | 1.81 | 45.7 | 8.5% | 37.0% | 32.0% | 1993 | $2,022 | 67.4% | 98.4% | 2.7% |
| San Juan County | 1.81 | 37.5 | 6.3% | 47.1% | 45.9% | 1979 | $992 | 52.1% | 100.0% | 9.4% |
| Hinsdale County | 1.96 | 48.5 | 16.4% | 23.9% | 62.0% | 1984 | $1,171 | 47.7% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Saguache County | 1.98 | 50.1 | 10.4% | 23.1% | 13.4% | 1987 | $940 | 30.9% | 91.8% | 9.2% |
| Otero County | 2.47 | 41.0 | 12.9% | 31.1% | 14.6% | 1959 | $862 | 20.0% | 88.8% | 6.8% |
| Bent County | 2.28 | 42.7 | 14.6% | 34.8% | 12.8% | 1963 | $1,203 | 16.0% | 83.6% | 6.0% |
| Prowers County | 2.51 | 37.4 | 11.5% | 32.9% | 14.5% | 1968 | $865 | 19.2% | 86.8% | 5.0% |
| Hamilton County | 3.28 | 33.7 | 20.1% | 22.9% | 24.0% | 1970 | $773 | 20.7% | 80.1% | 3.0% |
| Kearny County | 2.69 | 36.2 | 12.0% | 28.3% | 11.6% | 1973 | $1,039 | 18.5% | 81.7% | 2.2% |
| Finney County | 2.92 | 33.3 | 15.9% | 35.1% | 10.0% | 1978 | $1,069 | 18.5% | 70.8% | 3.8% |
| Hodgeman County | 2.38 | 49.0 | 7.5% | 20.9% | 15.5% | 1957 | $937 | 30.2% | 95.5% | 0.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lac qui Parle County, MN · Kiowa County, OK · Kit Carson County, CO · Kittson County, MN · Knott County, KY · Knox County, MO · Knox County, NE · Knox County, TX · Adair County, IA · Koochiching County, MN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up San Miguel County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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