1st Advantage MortgageIn San Miguel County, Colorado, the typical household earns $79,024 a year and the typical rent is $1,149. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- San Miguel County at a glance
- Work, industries and travel time in San Miguel County
- Household income in San Miguel County
- Renting and owning in San Miguel County
- Regional comparison for San Miguel County
- The communities that make up San Miguel County
- What a median San Miguel County budget can carry
- Who lives in San Miguel County, in numbers
- Reading the San Miguel County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for San Miguel County
- Four steps for San Miguel County borrowers
- More guides for San Miguel County
- Frequently asked questions
San Miguel County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts San Miguel County's population at 7,968; only 39 of Colorado's 64 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 1,287 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 6 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, San Miguel County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside San Miguel County, Mountain Village leads by population with about 2,185; 5 of the 6 are incorporated. Because San Miguel County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Work, industries and travel time in San Miguel County
The biggest employer of San Miguel County residents, by industry, is arts, lodging and food service at 19% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (15%). The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 19% locally and 9% for Colorado. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 12.9% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Industry | Share of San Miguel County workers | vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, lodging and food service | 18.7% | +9.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.2% | +4.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 12.4% | -9.4 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | -0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in San Miguel County
At $79,024, the typical San Miguel County household income is 20% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 28th of 64.
| Band | San Miguel County | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.6% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.8% | +1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.5% | -10.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 20.1% | +3.2 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 41% clear $100,000. Census counts 9.3% of San Miguel County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Colorado. For a borrower in San Miguel County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in San Miguel County
A typical San Miguel County rental runs $1,149 a month including utilities, which is 35% below Colorado. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 53% of renter households here. With a median value of $720,700, a typical San Miguel County house costs 9.1 times what the median household earns in a year. 63% of San Miguel County households own their home and 37% rent. Median construction year: 1995.
| Housing | San Miguel County | Colorado statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,149/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $720,700 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 63% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% | 3.5% | 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.
Regional comparison for San Miguel County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to San Miguel County's, from 20 to 58 miles away. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than San Miguel County; Ouray County is highest at $91,020 and Dolores County lowest at $64,907.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Miguel County | - | $79,024 | $1,149/mo | 63% |
| Dolores County, CO | 20 mi | $64,907 | $986/mo | 81% |
| Montrose County, CO | 29 mi | $72,120 | $1,188/mo | 75% |
| Ouray County, CO | 36 mi | $91,020 | $1,786/mo | 83% |
| San Juan County, CO | 44 mi | $77,824 | $992/mo | 53% |
| Montezuma County, CO | 47 mi | $65,244 | $942/mo | 76% |
| Hinsdale County, CO | 58 mi | $75,972 | $1,171/mo | 76% |
The communities that make up San Miguel County
6 Census places fall mainly inside San Miguel County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 5,185 residents, leaving about 35% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Village | town | 2,185 | $52,923 | $1,072 | 31 mi |
| Telluride | town | 2,160 | $102,405 | $3,056 | 34 mi |
| Norwood | town | 381 | $57,417 | $1,618 | 11 mi |
| Placerville | CDP | 333 | $105,972 | $2,194 | 21 mi |
| Ophir | town | 120 | $135,179 | n/a | 34 mi |
| Sawpit | town | 6 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
What a median San Miguel County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a San Miguel County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, San Miguel County: $6,585
- 17% goes to median rent ($1,149)
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,485 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $1,149, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in San Miguel County, in numbers
Degree holders: 65% of adults over 25. About 15% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | San Miguel County | All of Colorado | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 64.9% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 1.8% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.2% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.8% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of San Miguel County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.3% |
Reading the San Miguel County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for San Miguel County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 15% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Higher earners. 41% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Tight rental budgets. With 53% of San Miguel County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Licensing and complaints for San Miguel County
Consumer lenders serving San Miguel 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. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Colorado guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for San Miguel County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in San Miguel County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Colorado license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for San Miguel County
For statewide rules and data, see the Colorado guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical San Miguel County household make?
About $79,024 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 17% below the Colorado median.
How much is rent in San Miguel County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,149 a month; 53% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the San Miguel County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Mountain Village, Telluride, Norwood, Placerville, Ophir.
Are San Miguel 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 San Miguel 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.