Fastest-growing counties in Colorado
Why do people move from one county or region to another? The usual suspects are jobs, family, significant others, and overall cost of living, but there are other elements at play. For those with children, moving within close proximity of a highly rated school district is a key contributing factor. For younger adults just starting out, living someplace with a vibrant social scene might be a top priority. And for those whose careers have wound down after a lifetime of work, finding retirement-friendly communities is the goal—communities deemed to be safe, offer accessibility to medical resources and leisure activities in equal measure, and be affordable for those on a limited income.
This is, of course, by no means an exhaustive list. People's reasons for choosing to live where they do are as diverse as people themselves.
As far as why certain counties across the U.S. have experienced growth, relocation is not the sole, or even primary, reason why. While more than 1,800 counties saw population gains in 2021, approximately 73% of all U.S. counties saw what the U.S. Census Bureau characterizes as a natural decrease. This was a significant jump from 2020, when 55.5% of countries experienced such a decrease. According to the Bureau, natural decrease is the simple result of "when there are more deaths than births in a population over a given time period." In 2021, the conflation of fewer births with an aging population that was also absorbing a higher-than-usual mortality rate due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to this "increased decrease."
Nonetheless, as stated 1,800 counties nationwide have grown larger over the last year, and a sizable percentage of them are in Colorado. Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing counties in Colorado using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020, based on the U.S. Decennial Census.
#50. Costilla County
--- #1,519 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -0.7%
--- #50 among counties in Colorado, #1,595 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 3,499
--- #56 largest county in Colorado, #2,922 largest county nationwide
#49. Jackson County
--- #1,507 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: -1.1%
--- #52 among counties in Colorado, #1,663 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 1,379
--- #61 largest county in Colorado, #3,087 largest county nationwide
#48. Washington County
--- #1,488 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +0.1%
--- #48 among counties in Colorado, #1,479 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 4,817
--- #52 largest county in Colorado, #2,835 largest county nationwide
#47. San Juan County
--- #1,482 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +0.9%
--- #46 among counties in Colorado, #1,355 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 705
--- #64 largest county in Colorado, #3,126 largest county nationwide
#46. Sedgwick County
--- #1,459 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +1.1%
--- #45 among counties in Colorado, #1,329 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 2,404
--- #57 largest county in Colorado, #3,008 largest county nationwide
#45. Kiowa County
--- #1,433 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.4%
--- #35 among counties in Colorado, #998 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 1,446
--- #60 largest county in Colorado, #3,079 largest county nationwide
#44. Phillips County
--- #1,405 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +2.0%
--- #39 among counties in Colorado, #1,185 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 4,530
--- #54 largest county in Colorado, #2,854 largest county nationwide
#43. Crowley County
--- #1,396 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +1.7%
--- #41 among counties in Colorado, #1,226 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,922
--- #47 largest county in Colorado, #2,740 largest county nationwide
#42. Huerfano County
--- #1,387 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +1.6%
--- #42 among counties in Colorado, #1,239 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 6,820
--- #44 largest county in Colorado, #2,671 largest county nationwide
#41. Lake County
--- #1,374 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +1.7%
--- #40 among counties in Colorado, #1,224 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 7,436
--- #42 largest county in Colorado, #2,626 largest county nationwide
#40. Mineral County
--- #1,356 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +21.5%
--- #4 among counties in Colorado, #92 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 865
--- #62 largest county in Colorado, #3,110 largest county nationwide
#39. Lincoln County
--- #1,325 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.8%
--- #34 among counties in Colorado, #952 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,675
--- #49 largest county in Colorado, #2,763 largest county nationwide
#38. Pitkin County
--- #1,321 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +1.2%
--- #44 among counties in Colorado, #1,303 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,358
--- #29 largest county in Colorado, #1,946 largest county nationwide
#37. Delta County
--- #1,304 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +0.8%
--- #47 among counties in Colorado, #1,365 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 31,196
--- #18 largest county in Colorado, #1,392 largest county nationwide
#36. Saguache County
--- #1,288 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +4.3%
--- #33 among counties in Colorado, #902 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 6,368
--- #46 largest county in Colorado, #2,709 largest county nationwide
#35. Dolores County
--- #1,285 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +12.7%
--- #11 among counties in Colorado, #299 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 2,326
--- #58 largest county in Colorado, #3,014 largest county nationwide
#34. Clear Creek County
--- #1,255 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.4%
--- #36 among counties in Colorado, #1,004 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 9,397
--- #39 largest county in Colorado, #2,462 largest county nationwide
#33. Montezuma County
--- #1,248 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +1.2%
--- #43 among counties in Colorado, #1,300 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 25,849
--- #22 largest county in Colorado, #1,565 largest county nationwide
#32. Gilpin County
--- #1,221 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +6.7%
--- #25 among counties in Colorado, #651 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,808
--- #48 largest county in Colorado, #2,750 largest county nationwide
#31. Ouray County
--- #1,183 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +9.9%
--- #17 among counties in Colorado, #428 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 4,874
--- #51 largest county in Colorado, #2,831 largest county nationwide
#30. Custer County
--- #1,171 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +10.6%
--- #14 among counties in Colorado, #389 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 4,704
--- #53 largest county in Colorado, #2,839 largest county nationwide
#29. San Miguel County
--- #1,086 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +9.7%
--- #18 among counties in Colorado, #442 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 8,072
--- #40 largest county in Colorado, #2,572 largest county nationwide
#28. Grand County
--- #1,033 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.9%
--- #28 among counties in Colorado, #728 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 15,717
--- #32 largest county in Colorado, #2,045 largest county nationwide
#27. Alamosa County
--- #1,019 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +6.0%
--- #27 among counties in Colorado, #712 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 16,376
--- #31 largest county in Colorado, #2,011 largest county nationwide
#26. Morgan County
--- #1,012 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.4%
--- #38 among counties in Colorado, #1,007 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 29,111
--- #20 largest county in Colorado, #1,451 largest county nationwide
#25. Park County
--- #963 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +7.3%
--- #23 among counties in Colorado, #608 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,390
--- #28 largest county in Colorado, #1,945 largest county nationwide
#24. Archuleta County
--- #951 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +10.6%
--- #15 among counties in Colorado, #390 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 13,359
--- #34 largest county in Colorado, #2,192 largest county nationwide
#23. Routt County
--- #944 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.6%
--- #31 among counties in Colorado, #759 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 24,829
--- #23 largest county in Colorado, #1,608 largest county nationwide
#22. Teller County
--- #934 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.8%
--- #29 among counties in Colorado, #739 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 24,710
--- #24 largest county in Colorado, #1,617 largest county nationwide
#21. Montrose County
--- #927 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.4%
--- #37 among counties in Colorado, #1,005 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 42,679
--- #17 largest county in Colorado, #1,129 largest county nationwide
#20. Gunnison County
--- #885 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +10.4%
--- #16 among counties in Colorado, #396 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 16,918
--- #30 largest county in Colorado, #1,974 largest county nationwide
#19. Chaffee County
--- #871 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +9.4%
--- #20 among counties in Colorado, #459 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 19,476
--- #26 largest county in Colorado, #1,851 largest county nationwide
#18. Fremont County
--- #802 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +4.5%
--- #32 among counties in Colorado, #876 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 48,939
--- #16 largest county in Colorado, #1,007 largest county nationwide
#17. Elbert County
--- #711 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +12.9%
--- #10 among counties in Colorado, #294 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 26,062
--- #21 largest county in Colorado, #1,555 largest county nationwide
#16. Summit County
--- #697 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +10.9%
--- #13 among counties in Colorado, #369 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 31,055
--- #19 largest county in Colorado, #1,399 largest county nationwide
#15. Eagle County
--- #660 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +6.8%
--- #24 among counties in Colorado, #649 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 55,731
--- #14 largest county in Colorado, #922 largest county nationwide
#14. La Plata County
--- #602 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.4%
--- #22 among counties in Colorado, #529 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 55,638
--- #15 largest county in Colorado, #925 largest county nationwide
#13. Garfield County
--- #556 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +9.4%
--- #19 among counties in Colorado, #456 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 61,685
--- #13 largest county in Colorado, #860 largest county nationwide
#12. Mesa County
--- #452 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +6.1%
--- #26 among counties in Colorado, #697 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 155,703
--- #11 largest county in Colorado, #435 largest county nationwide
#11. Pueblo County
--- #447 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.7%
--- #30 among counties in Colorado, #747 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 168,162
--- #10 largest county in Colorado, #401 largest county nationwide
#10. Broomfield County
--- #310 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +32.6%
--- #1 among counties in Colorado, #30 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 74,112
--- #12 largest county in Colorado, #748 largest county nationwide
#9. Boulder County
--- #178 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +12.3%
--- #12 among counties in Colorado, #310 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 330,758
--- #8 largest county in Colorado, #216 largest county nationwide
#8. Jefferson County
--- #134 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +9.0%
--- #21 among counties in Colorado, #481 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 582,910
--- #4 largest county in Colorado, #118 largest county nationwide
#7. Larimer County
--- #106 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +19.8%
--- #5 among counties in Colorado, #123 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 359,066
--- #6 largest county in Colorado, #202 largest county nationwide
#6. Douglas County
--- #83 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +25.4%
--- #3 among counties in Colorado, #62 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 357,978
--- #7 largest county in Colorado, #203 largest county nationwide
#5. Weld County
--- #76 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +30.1%
--- #2 among counties in Colorado, #37 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 328,981
--- #9 largest county in Colorado, #218 largest county nationwide
#4. Adams County
--- #71 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +17.7%
--- #7 among counties in Colorado, #153 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 519,572
--- #5 largest county in Colorado, #139 largest county nationwide
#3. Arapahoe County
--- #62 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +14.5%
--- #9 among counties in Colorado, #238 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 655,070
--- #3 largest county in Colorado, #106 largest county nationwide
#2. El Paso County
--- #48 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +17.4%
--- #8 among counties in Colorado, #157 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 730,395
--- #1 largest county in Colorado, #90 largest county nationwide
#1. Denver County
--- #44 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +19.2%
--- #6 among counties in Colorado, #128 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 715,522
--- #2 largest county in Colorado, #96 largest county nationwide