RANK #649 / 996 NAT · #5 / 15 CO · POP 168,135
1YR FORECAST: -1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 34/100, Pueblo County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $59,436 combined with job growth of -0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Pueblo County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $238,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $967/month on average.
Population and employment in Pueblo County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs -0.9%. Home values shifted -1.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.86% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pueblo County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.