1st Advantage MortgageThe median Crowley County household earns $48,826, and 19% 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
- Who lives in Crowley County
- Work, industries and travel time in Crowley County
- What Crowley County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Crowley County
- How Crowley County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Crowley County
- A Crowley County household budget, worked through
- More Crowley County figures
- What the numbers mean for Crowley County borrowers
- Colorado rules that apply in Crowley County
- Steps before you apply in Crowley County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Crowley County
With an estimated 5,647 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Crowley County ranks 48th of 64 in Colorado for population. It covers 787 square miles of land, or about 7 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Crowley County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Crowley County, Ordway leads by population with about 1,528; 4 of the 4 are incorporated. Because Crowley County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Work, industries and travel time in Crowley County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Crowley County residents work in education and health care and 14% in construction. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.9% in Crowley County. 24% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 16% work from home. 4.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Crowley County share | +/- vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 13.6% | +5.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.0% | +2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.0% | +6.2 pts |
| Public administration | 7.5% | +2.8 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
What Crowley County households earn
The median household income in Crowley County is $48,826; statewide it is $95,470, so Crowley County runs 49% below Colorado as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Crowley County | Gap to Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.1% | +19.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.1% | +12.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.2% | -17.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.6% | -14.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 16% of Crowley County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. 19.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.4%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.454 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 Crowley County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Crowley County
A typical Crowley County rental runs $984 a month including utilities, which is 44% below Colorado. 52% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. With a median value of $116,200, a typical Crowley County house costs 2.4 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 69%.
| Home costs | Crowley County | Colorado | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $984/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $116,200 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 43% | 30% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 8% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How Crowley County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (29 to 55 miles). All of the six report a higher median household income than Crowley County; El Paso County is highest at $90,363 and Bent County lowest at $50,179.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crowley County | - | $48,826 | $984/mo | 69% |
| Otero County, CO | 29 mi | $54,037 | $839/mo | 69% |
| Pueblo County, CO | 40 mi | $64,010 | $1,111/mo | 69% |
| Bent County, CO | 46 mi | $50,179 | $1,162/mo | 65% |
| Lincoln County, CO | 50 mi | $62,861 | $868/mo | 72% |
| El Paso County, CO | 54 mi | $90,363 | $1,696/mo | 66% |
| Kiowa County, CO | 55 mi | $58,618 | $800/mo | 69% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Crowley County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Crowley County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 2,768 people, so roughly 51% of residents live outside any named place. No Crowley County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordway | town | 1,528 | $54,583 | $1,036 | 6 mi |
| Olney Springs | town | 557 | $48,500 | $1,056 | 13 mi |
| Sugar City | town | 464 | $47,798 | $812 | 8 mi |
| Crowley | town | 219 | $41,250 | $933 | 9 mi |
A Crowley County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Crowley County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Crowley County: $4,069
- Median rent: $984, or 24 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $481 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Crowley County figures
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Crowley County | Colorado | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.4% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.6% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.1% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.9% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.4% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 18.6% |
What the numbers mean for Crowley County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Crowley County borrowers.
- Vehicle repairs. 24% of Crowley County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 13% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- 52% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Colorado rules that apply in Crowley County
Consumer lenders serving Crowley County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Colorado that is the Colorado Division of Banking. Colorado also has the Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Colorado: Colorado personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Crowley County
A short checklist for Crowley County borrowers:
- Price the Crowley County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Colorado license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Colorado guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crowley County a high-income county?
Its $48,826 median ranks 61st of 64 Colorado counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Crowley County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $984 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Crowley County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Ordway, Olney Springs, Sugar City, Crowley.
Is the fit check different in Crowley County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Crowley County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Colorado it is the Colorado Division of Banking.