The town that has been named the poorest in Colorado is Rocky Ford, a small agricultural community on the state’s eastern plains. Data‑driven analyses, including 24/7 Wall St., rank Rocky Ford as Colorado’s poorest town based on income, education, and housing figures.
Where Rocky Ford sits in the state
Rocky Ford sits in Otero County and has a population of roughly 3,876 residents. It lies in the lower‑income, rural corridor of southeastern Colorado, far from the high‑income metro hubs along the Front Range.
Why it’s considered the poorest town
Analysts classify Rocky Ford as the poorest town in Colorado by combining several metrics:
- Median household income of about $29,822, which is more than $50,000 below the statewide median of roughly $80,184.
- High SNAP usage, with about 37.7% of households receiving food‑stamp benefits—signaling significant economic strain.
- Low educational attainment, with only about 13.7% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
These indicators collectively place Rocky Ford at the bottom of Colorado’s towns in terms of overall economic well‑being.
What life looks like in Rocky Ford
Rocky Ford is known for its famous cantaloupes and watermelons, so its economy is closely tied to agriculture and seasonal labor. Moderate housing costs—median home value around $81,900, far below the statewide average—help offset low incomes but also reflect limited wealth accumulation.
How this compares to other Colorado towns
While other Colorado towns like La Junta, Delta, and Lamar also score high on poverty lists, Rocky Ford consistently appears at or near the top of statewide rankings for “poorest town.” These rankings depend on the exact dataset and year, but Rocky Ford’s combination of low income, high SNAP reliance, and low educational attainment keeps it close to the bottom.
SOURCES :
- https://kiowacountypress.net/content/lamar-ranks-poorest-colorado-towns-study-finds
- https://stacker.com/stories/colorado/cities-colorado-most-living-poverty
