Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Fort Collins | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $80,804 | $93,055 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,516 | $69,173 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.6% | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.7% | 17.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Fort Collins is about 13% lower than in Colorado. Income has been growing slower in Fort Collins (5.6%/yr) than in Colorado (5.8%/yr).
About 14% of adults in Fort Collins earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Colorado average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Fort Collins, Colorado grew by 78.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $80,804 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in Fort Collins | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Fort Collins | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.577 | 0.547 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $72,172 | $75,396 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $57,410 | $61,821 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.5% | 18.0% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Fort Collins, it is 0.577, higher than Colorado's 0.547, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 26% more than women's income in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over a 35-year career, a 26% wage gap accumulates to roughly $516,670 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Collins, Colorado has narrowed from about 25% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,470 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Fort Collins | Colorado Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 19.1% | 18.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 4,854 people are unemployed in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The average commute time in Fort Collins is 17 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Colorado.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Fort Collins, Colorado has fallen from 8.3% to 5.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Fort Collins, Colorado has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Colorado, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Fort Collins, Colorado.
How Rich Is Fort Collins, Colorado?
Fort Collins has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $80,804, about 13% lower than the Colorado average of $93,055.
What is the current median household income in Fort Collins, Colorado?
As of 2023, the median household income in Fort Collins, Colorado is $80,804.
What was the median household income in Fort Collins in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Fort Collins, Colorado was $80,804.
What was the median household income in Fort Collins in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Fort Collins, Colorado was $68,110.
What is the Gini coefficient in Fort Collins, Colorado?
The Gini coefficient in Fort Collins is 0.577. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Fort Collins, Colorado?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Collins, Colorado has narrowed from about 25% to 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,470 since 2009.