1st Advantage MortgageIn Ouray County, Colorado, the typical household earns $91,020 a year and the typical rent is $1,786. 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
- Ouray County, CO: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Ouray County
- The Ouray County job picture
- Housing costs in Ouray County
- Towns and communities in Ouray County
- Counties near Ouray County
- What a median Ouray County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Ouray County
- Ouray County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Steps before you apply in Ouray County
- Lender oversight for Ouray County
- More guides for Ouray County
- Frequently asked questions
Ouray County, CO: the basics
With an estimated 5,087 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Ouray County ranks 52nd of 64 in Colorado for population. Spread over 541 square miles, that works out to roughly 9.4 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Ouray County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (2 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Ridgway, with about 1,237 residents, or 24% of the county. With so few households sampled, Ouray County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Paychecks and income spread in Ouray County
The median household income in Ouray County is $91,020; statewide it is $95,470, so Ouray County runs 5% below Colorado as a whole. That places it 20th among Colorado's 64 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Ouray County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.5% | +2.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.1% | +1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.3% | +1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.1% | -4.9 pts |
About 19% of households earn under $35,000, while 44% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 4.3%, 5 points lower than the state's 9.4%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.401 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 Ouray County median.
The Ouray County job picture
By the Census industry count, 19% of employed Ouray County residents work in professional and administrative services and 17% in arts, lodging and food service. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.5% in Ouray County. About 60% drive to work alone and 30% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 1.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Ouray County share | +/- vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and administrative services | 19.5% | +3.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 16.7% | +7.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.3% | -7.5 pts |
| Construction | 10.6% | +2.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.7% | +2.0 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.
Housing costs in Ouray County
Renters in Ouray County pay a median of $1,786 a month, in line with Colorado's $1,761. By the Census definition, 47% of Ouray County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $739,800, a typical Ouray County house costs 8.1 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 83% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1995.
| Cost | Ouray County | Colorado figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,786/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $739,800 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 39% | 30% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 26% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Ouray County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Towns and communities in Ouray County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 60% of Ouray County residents live in one of the 5. Loghill Village has the highest median household income on the list ($89,297) and Ouray the lowest ($78,182), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Ouray County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgway | town | 1,237 | $83,750 | $1,577 | 2 mi |
| Ouray | city | 985 | $78,182 | $1,346 | 11 mi |
| Loghill Village | CDP | 618 | $89,297 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Portland | CDP | 125 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Colona | CDP | 108 | $128,750 | n/a | 12 mi |
Counties near Ouray County
Six nearby counties, 27 to 49 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. San Miguel County leads the group on income ($79,024), Delta County trails ($57,774), and Ouray County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ouray County | - | $91,020 | $1,786/mo | 83% |
| San Juan County, CO | 27 mi | $77,824 | $992/mo | 53% |
| Montrose County, CO | 31 mi | $72,120 | $1,188/mo | 75% |
| Hinsdale County, CO | 32 mi | $75,972 | $1,171/mo | 76% |
| San Miguel County, CO | 36 mi | $79,024 | $1,149/mo | 63% |
| Dolores County, CO | 49 mi | $64,907 | $986/mo | 81% |
| Delta County, CO | 49 mi | $57,774 | $1,121/mo | 78% |
What a median Ouray County budget can carry
Ouray County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $7,585 gross per month ($91,020 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,786, which is 24% of it
- Under a 35% cap, $2,655 total minus rent leaves $869
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,627 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Ouray County
Based on the Ouray County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Ouray County. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 30% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Retirees. At a median age of 55.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 44% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
Ouray County residents: age, schooling, coverage
56% of Ouray County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 12.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Ouray County | Colorado | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.4 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 56.5% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 2.6% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.7% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 19.9% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 4.3% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Ouray County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.1% |
| 60+ min | 15.7% |
Steps before you apply in Ouray County
A short checklist for Ouray County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Ouray County
Ouray County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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.
More guides for Ouray County
For statewide rules and data, see the Colorado guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ouray County a high-income county?
Its $91,020 median ranks 20th of 64 Colorado counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Ouray County rent compare with Colorado?
$1,786 locally, close to the state figure.
I live in a small Ouray County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Ridgway, Ouray, Loghill Village, Portland, Colona.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Ouray County or elsewhere in Colorado, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Ouray 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.