1st Advantage MortgageIn Bent County, Colorado, the typical household earns $50,179 a year and the typical rent is $1,162. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Colorado license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Bent County
- Household income in Bent County
- The Bent County job picture
- Renting and owning in Bent County
- How Bent County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Bent County
- Budget math at the Bent County median
- Before borrowing in Bent County
- Who lives in Bent County, in numbers
- Colorado rules that apply in Bent County
- Checklist for Bent County applicants
- More guides for Bent County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Bent County
Bent County is home to about 5,549 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 50th most populous of 64 county-level areas in Colorado. Land area is 1,513 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Bent County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 3 Census places inside Bent County, Las Animas leads by population with about 2,540; 1 of the 3 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Bent County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Household income in Bent County
Half of Bent County households take in less than $50,179 a year and half take in more, 47% below the Colorado median of $95,470.
| Households earning | Bent County | +/- vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.3% | +20.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.8% | +13.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.4% | -19.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -13.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 15% of Bent County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 28.4%, 19 points higher than the state's 9.4%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.441 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Bent County median.
The Bent County job picture
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 14%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Bent County averages 5.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.6%). About 82% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Bent County workers | vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | +0.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.4% | +12.6 pts |
| Public administration | 10.1% | +5.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.8% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.8% | -2.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Bent County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Renting and owning in Bent County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,162 in Bent County versus $1,761 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 59% of renter households here. With a median value of $146,900, a typical Bent County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 65% of homes.
| Measure | Bent County | Colorado | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,162/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $146,900 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 59% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 40% | 30% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
How Bent County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Otero County at 35 miles out to Cheyenne County at 68. Income ranges from $46,215 in Baca County to $70,865 in Cheyenne County; 4 of these neighbors top Bent County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bent County | - | $50,179 | $1,162/mo | 65% |
| Otero County, CO | 35 mi | $54,037 | $839/mo | 69% |
| Kiowa County, CO | 36 mi | $58,618 | $800/mo | 69% |
| Prowers County, CO | 37 mi | $53,508 | $808/mo | 67% |
| Crowley County, CO | 46 mi | $48,826 | $984/mo | 69% |
| Baca County, CO | 52 mi | $46,215 | $592/mo | 72% |
| Cheyenne County, CO | 68 mi | $70,865 | $926/mo | 73% |
The communities that make up Bent County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 50% of Bent County residents live in one of the 3. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Animas | city | 2,540 | $51,875 | $1,211 | 12 mi |
| McClave | CDP | 128 | $59,236 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Hasty | CDP | 125 | n/a | $889 | 13 mi |
Budget math at the Bent County median
Bent County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,182 gross per month ($50,179 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,162 uses 28%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $302 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $720 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in Bent County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Bent County borrowers.
- 28% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Renters under pressure. When 59% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Who lives in Bent County, in numbers
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 7.4%, against 7.7% for Colorado.
| Measure | Bent County | Colorado statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.7% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.1% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.4% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.1% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 28.4% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.4% |
Colorado rules that apply in Bent County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Bent County borrowers answers to the Colorado Division of Banking. The Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code handles consumer-credit questions as well. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Colorado guide.
Checklist for Bent County applicants
Steps that save money for Bent County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Bent County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Colorado.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Bent County
The Colorado guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bent County a high-income county?
Its $50,179 median ranks 59th of 64 Colorado counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Bent County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,162 a month; 59% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Las Animas?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Bent County, such as McClave, Hasty.
Are Bent County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Bent County check a lender's license?
With the Colorado Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.