RANK #882 / 996 · POP 168,135 · CO
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.4%
Pueblo County, Colorado, is often recognized for its "Steel City" heritage, a nod to its long history in steel manufacturing. Located in Southern Colorado at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, it sits about an hour south of Colorado Springs and two hours south of Denver. The community offers a relaxed pace of life with a shorter average commute time of 18.8 minutes, compared to the national average. The county benefits from over 300 days of sunshine annually, providing ample opportunity for outdoor recreation at places like Lake Pueblo State Park, known for boating, fishing, and miles of trails. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo also provides walking paths and boat rides, blending urban life with natural scenery.
Life in Pueblo County is characterized by a focus on affordability and access to outdoor activities. The region's economy, historically tied to steel, is now diversifying. Recent economic developments show investment flowing into sectors like advanced manufacturing and energy. Pueblo County School District 70 serves approximately 10,300 students with a range of educational programs. Commute options within the county include a local bus system and a vanpool program, with Bustang offering regional connections to other Colorado cities.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Xcel Energy, Invenergy, RWE, Lightsource bp, Galehead Development, Black Hills Energy, Enel Green Power, Thunder Wolf Energy Center, LLC
|
$1,500M | Operating, Under Construction, Planned, Proposed |
|
CS Wind Manufacturing Plant Expansion
CS Wind
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
McCulloch Boulevard Widening and Nichols Road Improvements
Pueblo West Metro District
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Dillon Drive Interchange Project
City of Pueblo Department of Public Works
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pueblo County has a Boom Town Index score of 12/100, ranking #882 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.9% and a median household income of $59,436, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Pueblo County is $238,400 with median rent at $967/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2493, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.9%. Home values changed -1.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.86% of Pueblo County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.