1st Advantage MortgageThe median Baca County household earns $46,215, and 25% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Colorado before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Baca County
- Household income in Baca County
- Baca County housing compared with Colorado
- Work, industries and travel time in Baca County
- Towns and communities in Baca County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Budget math at the Baca County median
- Before borrowing in Baca County
- Who lives in Baca County, in numbers
- Steps before you apply in Baca County
- Colorado rules that apply in Baca County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Baca County
With an estimated 3,428 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Baca County ranks 56th of 64 in Colorado for population. Spread over 2,555 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.3 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 6 Census places inside Baca County, Springfield leads by population with about 1,384; 6 of the 6 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Baca County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Household income in Baca County
At $46,215, the typical Baca County household income is 30% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Baca County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 43.9% | +27.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.9% | -2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.1% | -11.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.1% | -13.8 pts |
About 44% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. Census counts 24.6% of Baca County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Colorado. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.473 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Baca County housing compared with Colorado
A typical Baca County rental runs $592 a month including utilities, which is 66% below Colorado. By the Census definition, 49% of Baca County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $122,900, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 72%. The median home was built in 1971, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Baca County | Colorado statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $592/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $122,900 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.8% | 3.5% | n/a |
Work, industries and travel time in Baca County
Education and health care employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 23%. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (23% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Baca County averages 0.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.6%). Long commutes are the exception here: 3% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 5.5% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Where residents work | Baca County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.9% | +7.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 22.8% | +21.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.2% | -2.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.5% | -0.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Towns and communities in Baca County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 66% of Baca County residents live in one of the 6. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | town | 1,384 | $48,295 | $588 | 8 mi |
| Walsh | town | 492 | $24,196 | $566 | 15 mi |
| Vilas | town | 184 | n/a | $464 | 7 mi |
| Pritchett | town | 142 | n/a | $477 | 18 mi |
| Campo | town | 58 | $53,125 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Two Buttes | town | 15 | $25,000 | n/a | 19 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Cimarron County at 39 miles out to Hamilton County at 63. Stanton County leads the group on income ($71,700), Bent County trails ($50,179), and Baca County out-earns 0 of the six. The list crosses into Kansas, Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baca County | - | $46,215 | $592/mo | 72% |
| Cimarron County, OK | 39 mi | $62,188 | $718/mo | 78% |
| Morton County, KS | 41 mi | $66,447 | $632/mo | 85% |
| Stanton County, KS | 45 mi | $71,700 | $705/mo | 77% |
| Prowers County, CO | 46 mi | $53,508 | $808/mo | 67% |
| Bent County, CO | 52 mi | $50,179 | $1,162/mo | 65% |
| Hamilton County, KS | 63 mi | $70,250 | $909/mo | 77% |
Budget math at the Baca County median
How much room does a median Baca County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $3,851 gross per month ($46,215 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $592, takes 15% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $794 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $592, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Baca County
A few patterns in the Baca County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Free help first. 25% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Who lives in Baca County, in numbers
Degree holders: 25% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.4%, against 7.7% for Colorado.
| Baca County | Colorado | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.3% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.4% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.9% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.6% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.6% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 63.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.4% |
| 60+ min | 0.9% |
Steps before you apply in Baca County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Colorado rules that apply in Baca County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Baca County borrowers answers to the Colorado Division of Banking. Consumer lending in Colorado is also overseen by the Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Colorado: Colorado personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Colorado guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baca County a high-income county?
Its $46,215 median ranks 63rd of 64 Colorado counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Baca County rent compare with Colorado?
$592 locally versus $1,761 for the state, 66% below.
What are the biggest places in Baca County?
By population: Springfield, Walsh, Vilas, Pritchett, Campo. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does living in Baca County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Baca County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Baca County?
Start with the Colorado Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.