1st Advantage MortgageAbout 64% of Larimer County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $93,765. 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
- Who lives in Larimer County
- Employment and commuting in Larimer County
- Household income in Larimer County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Larimer County
- Towns and communities in Larimer County
- Counties near Larimer County
- Larimer County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Larimer County
- Debt-to-income at Larimer County's medians
- Who licenses lenders for Larimer County residents
- Steps before you apply in Larimer County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Larimer County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Larimer County's population at 367,368; only 6 of Colorado's 64 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 2,596 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 142 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 7 Census places inside Larimer County, Fort Collins leads by population with about 170,229; 5 of the 7 are incorporated.
Employment and commuting in Larimer County
The biggest employer of Larimer County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (15%). Education and health care stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 66% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Larimer County workers | vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.0% | +3.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.1% | -0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | -0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Larimer County
At $93,765, the typical Larimer County household income is 43% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 18th among Colorado's 64 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Larimer County | Gap to Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.3% | +1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.8% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.1% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.8% | -1.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 47% of Larimer County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. 11.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.4%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.453 here. A household earning below the $93,765 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Larimer County
Renters in Larimer County pay a median of $1,716 a month, 3% below the Colorado figure of $1,761. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 55% of renter households here. Home values center on $569,100, or 6.1 years of median income. 64% of Larimer County households own their home and 36% rent. Median construction year: 1993.
| Home costs | Larimer County | Colorado | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,716/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $569,100 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 30% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 8% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Towns and communities in Larimer County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Larimer County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 277,358 residents, leaving about 25% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $178,257 at the median in Timnath, $84,604 in Loveland. Names with links open a city guide. The other 5 places are covered here.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins | city | 170,229 | $85,070 | $1,690 | 23 mi |
| Loveland | city | 78,410 | $84,604 | $1,730 | 28 mi |
| Wellington | town | 11,798 | $107,017 | $2,473 | 25 mi |
| Timnath | town | 8,941 | $178,257 | $2,206 | 29 mi |
| Estes Park | town | 5,844 | $85,956 | $1,511 | 20 mi |
| Laporte | CDP | 1,771 | $87,313 | $1,354 | 18 mi |
| Red Feather Lakes | CDP | 365 | $138,696 | n/a | 12 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Larimer County
Boulder County is closest, 39 miles from center to center; the sixth, Weld County, is 58 miles off. Broomfield County leads the group on income ($123,874), Jackson County trails ($47,667), and Larimer County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larimer County | - | $93,765 | $1,716/mo | 64% |
| Boulder County, CO | 39 mi | $103,994 | $1,966/mo | 62% |
| Jackson County, CO | 44 mi | $47,667 | $1,701/mo | 71% |
| Grand County, CO | 50 mi | $88,612 | $1,493/mo | 73% |
| Broomfield County, CO | 54 mi | $123,874 | $2,126/mo | 63% |
| Gilpin County, CO | 55 mi | $95,361 | $1,658/mo | 88% |
| Weld County, CO | 58 mi | $97,097 | $1,539/mo | 76% |
Larimer County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 53% of the adult population. 5.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Larimer County | Colorado statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.8 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 53.0% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.5% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 21.4% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Larimer County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
Local borrowing considerations for Larimer County
A few patterns in the Larimer County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Higher earners. 47% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- 55% 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.
Debt-to-income at Larimer County's medians
How much room does a median Larimer County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,814 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $1,716 uses 22%
- Under a 35% cap, $2,735 total minus rent leaves $1,019
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,800 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who licenses lenders for Larimer County residents
Consumer lenders serving Larimer County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Colorado that is 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. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Colorado: Colorado personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Larimer County
A short checklist for Larimer County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Colorado license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
City guides inside Larimer County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
Is Larimer County a high-income county?
Its $93,765 median ranks 18th of 64 Colorado counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Larimer County rent compare with Colorado?
$1,716 locally versus $1,761 for the state, 3% below.
Which towns does the Larimer County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, Timnath, Estes Park.
Will a Larimer County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Colorado as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Larimer County residents?
The Colorado Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Colorado; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.