1st Advantage MortgageThe median Gunnison County household earns $84,527, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Gunnison County by the numbers
- Income in Gunnison County compared with Colorado
- Housing costs in Gunnison County
- Work, industries and travel time in Gunnison County
- Places inside Gunnison County
- The counties around Gunnison County
- Who lives in Gunnison County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Gunnison County
- Debt-to-income at Gunnison County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Gunnison County
- Four steps for Gunnison County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Gunnison County by the numbers
Roughly 17,241 residents live in Gunnison County, Colorado, 29th by population among the state's 64 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 3,239 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 5 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 6 Census places inside Gunnison County, Gunnison leads by population with about 6,766; 5 of the 6 are incorporated.
Income in Gunnison County compared with Colorado
The median household income in Gunnison County is $84,527; statewide it is $95,470, so Gunnison County runs 11% below Colorado as a whole.
| Income band | Share in Gunnison County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.6% | +5.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.4% | +2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.2% | -3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.8% | -4.2 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 40% clear $100,000. 11.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.4%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Gunnison County median.
Housing costs in Gunnison County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,252 in Gunnison County versus $1,761 statewide. 51% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. Home values center on $621,800, or 7.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 67%. Half the housing stock was built before 1987.
| Gunnison County | Colorado | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,252/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $621,800 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 41% | 30% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Work, industries and travel time in Gunnison County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Gunnison County residents work in education and health care and 16% in arts, lodging and food service. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (16% against 9%). The survey's unemployment rate for Gunnison County averages 4.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.6%). 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 19% work from home.
| Sector | Gunnison County | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 16.4% | +7.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.1% | -0.5 pts |
| Construction | 10.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.4% | +0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.2% | -3.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Gunnison 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 54% of Gunnison County residents live in one of the 6. Mount Crested Butte has the highest median household income on the list ($85,357) and Gunnison the lowest ($62,189), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Gunnison ($1,230) and steepest in Mount Crested Butte ($2,129). Live in one of these Gunnison County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison | city | 6,766 | $62,189 | $1,230 | 11 mi |
| Crested Butte | town | 1,229 | $74,479 | $1,365 | 14 mi |
| Mount Crested Butte | town | 823 | $85,357 | $2,129 | 17 mi |
| Marble | town | 309 | $170,793 | n/a | 29 mi |
| Pitkin | town | 131 | $85,729 | n/a | 30 mi |
| Somerset | CDP | 79 | n/a | n/a | 28 mi |
The counties around Gunnison County
Pitkin County is closest, 39 miles from center to center; the sixth, Hinsdale County, is 62 miles off. Income ranges from $57,774 in Delta County to $102,645 in Pitkin County; 3 of these neighbors top Gunnison County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison County | - | $84,527 | $1,252/mo | 67% |
| Pitkin County, CO | 39 mi | $102,645 | $2,004/mo | 63% |
| Chaffee County, CO | 41 mi | $84,132 | $1,611/mo | 74% |
| Delta County, CO | 45 mi | $57,774 | $1,121/mo | 78% |
| Lake County, CO | 53 mi | $96,575 | $1,397/mo | 76% |
| Ouray County, CO | 53 mi | $91,020 | $1,786/mo | 83% |
| Hinsdale County, CO | 62 mi | $75,972 | $1,171/mo | 76% |
Who lives in Gunnison County, in numbers
Degree holders: 65% of adults over 25. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Gunnison County | Colorado statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 64.7% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 2.4% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 18.5% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Gunnison County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 12.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Gunnison County
Where the Gunnison County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 51% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Debt-to-income at Gunnison County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Gunnison County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Gunnison County: $7,044
- Median rent: $1,252, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,284 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,777 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Gunnison County's.
Licensing and complaints for Gunnison County
The Colorado Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Colorado license. Consumer lending in Colorado is also overseen by the Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Colorado: Colorado personal loans.
Four steps for Gunnison County borrowers
Steps that save money for Gunnison County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Colorado license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
The Colorado guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Gunnison County household make?
About $84,527 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 11% below the Colorado median.
How much is rent in Gunnison County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,252 a month; 51% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Gunnison County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Gunnison, Crested Butte, Mount Crested Butte, Marble, Pitkin.
Can Gunnison County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Colorado county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Gunnison 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.