Montezuma County, Colorado: commercial real estate data.
Montezuma County, Colorado had an estimated 26,841 residents on July 1, 2024, up 3.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 25,848, across 2,030 square miles. County output reached $1.45 bn in 2024, 759 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 44 7(a) approvals worth $15.8 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Montezuma County
How many people live in Montezuma County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202426,412
- Households11,269
- Average household size2.34
- Median household income$65,244
- Median age44.5
- Median gross rent$942 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$331,400
- Home value to household income5.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher31.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree13.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over19,214
- Population under 185,468
- Share under 1820.7 percent
- Population 65 and over6,599
- Share 65 and over25.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6414,345
- Civilian labor force11,827
- Unemployment rate3.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over56.5 percent
- Rank by population among Colorado counties22nd of 64
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1599th of 3,222
Montezuma County is the 22nd largest of 64 Colorado counties by population. A median home costs 5.1 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 25.0 percent against 20.7 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Montezuma County
Is Montezuma County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202426,841
- Census 2020 base population25,848
- Population change since the 2020 census base3.84 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024241
- Births, 2024233
- Deaths, 2024310
- Natural change, 2024-77
- Net domestic migration, 2024185
- Net international migration, 2024132
- Total net migration, 2024317
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20241,048
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents715th of 3,144
The county has grown 3.84 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Montezuma County
Where are people moving to Montezuma County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving855
- People arriving, from those returns1,446
- Tax returns filed by households leaving700
- Net household movement155
- Adjusted gross income arriving$59.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$22.0 m
- Average income of an arriving household$69,282
- Average income of a leaving household$53,233
- Largest single originLa Plata County (120 households)
- Largest single destinationLa Plata County (58 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Plata County | 120 | 183 | $7.1 m |
| San Juan County | 41 | 71 | $2.5 m |
| Apache County | 33 | 84 | $974,000 |
| Maricopa County | 33 | 58 | $2.1 m |
| Mesa County | 30 | 44 | $1.1 m |
Households arriving report $16,049 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is La Plata County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Montezuma County
What is the Montezuma County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$1.45 bn
- County GDP, 2023$1.53 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 2024-5.2 percent
- GDP change over five years34.9 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Colorado areas BEA publishes24th of 64
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1542nd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$55,044
Output grew -5.2 percent in the latest year and 34.9 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Montezuma County
Employment by industry in Montezuma County
- Covered employment, annual average9,453
- Establishments reporting1,029
- Average annual pay$46,173
- Average weekly wage$888
- Health care and social assistance, employment1,556
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$46,803
- Retail trade, employment1,504
- Retail trade, average annual pay$37,713
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,016
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$24,477
- Construction, employment467
- Construction, average annual pay$46,603
- Other services, except public administration, employment345
- Manufacturing, employment310
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 1,556 | 194 | $46,803 |
| Retail trade | 1,504 | 116 | $37,713 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,016 | 87 | $24,477 |
| Construction | 467 | 97 | $46,603 |
| Other services, except public administration | 345 | 86 | $37,725 |
| Manufacturing | 310 | 36 | $43,835 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 260 | 102 | $77,013 |
| Wholesale trade | 237 | 30 | $61,672 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 1,556 jobs, 16.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Montezuma County
How many businesses are in Montezuma County?
- Establishments, all industries759
- Employment at those establishments6,808
- Annual payroll$301.4 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents28.7
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Montezuma County
Building permits in Montezuma County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202422
- Declared construction value permitted$5.3 m
- Single family units authorized22
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$240,398
- Units authorized per 1,000 households2.0
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Montezuma County
SBA loans in Montezuma County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded44
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$15.8 m
- Average 7(a) approval$358,800
- Median 7(a) approval$182,500
- 10th percentile approval$50,000
- 90th percentile approval$785,950
- Largest single approval$1,660,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)558
- Jobs per approval12.7
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active12
- Distinct industries receiving approvals29
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer13.6 percent
- Loans on real estate terms6
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter36
- Franchise loans0
- Franchise share of approvals0.0 percent
- Leading industry by approval countBeer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (5)
- Most active lenderFirst Southwest Bank (23)
- 504 approvals recorded14
- 504 gross approval dollars$4.7 m
- Average 504 approval$339,071
- Median 504 approval$291,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval3.6
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved10.7
- Most active CDCB:Side Capital (7)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$20.5 m
The average approval of $358,800 sits well above the median of $182,500, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 13.6 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Montezuma County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Montezuma County
Do SBA loans in Montezuma County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded5
- Paid in full5
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full5
- Status: Exempt from disclosure27
- Status: Cancelled11
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed1
Only 5 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Montezuma County
SBA lending by place in Montezuma County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending3
- Cortez, approvals30
- Dolores, approvals9
- Mancos, approvals5
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Cortez | 30 | $10,562,100 |
| Dolores | 9 | $4,600,100 |
| Mancos | 5 | $625,000 |
Cortez accounts for 30 approvals against 9 in Dolores. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Montezuma County
How large is Montezuma County?
- Land area2,030 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Colorado counties20th of 64
- Width, east to west59.3 mi
- Height, north to south44.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary4
- Residents per square mile of land13
- Establishments per square mile0.37
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Montezuma County
Flood risk in Montezuma County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Montezuma County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 080285
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Montezuma County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Montezuma County (community 080285), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Montezuma County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Montezuma County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Montezuma County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202426,412
- Households11,269
- Average household size2.34
- Median household income$65,244
- Median age44.5
Common questions
Montezuma County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Montezuma County, Colorado?
The Census Bureau estimates 26,841 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 26,412, in 11,269 households, ranking 22nd of 64 Colorado counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Montezuma County's population growing?
The population has grown 3.84 percent since the 2020 census base of 25,848, to 26,841 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 233 births against 310 deaths, with net migration of 317. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Montezuma County?
$65,244. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $331,400, which is 5.1 times income, and median gross rent is $942 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Montezuma County?
759 establishments, employing 6,808 people with an annual payroll of $301.4 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Montezuma County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 1,556 jobs, 16.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 9,453 jobs at an average annual pay of $46,173, or $888 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Montezuma County?
44 7(a) approvals totaling $15.8 m since FY2020, across 12 lenders, with a median approval of $182,500, plus 14 504 approvals worth $4.7 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Montezuma County?
22 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $5.3 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Montezuma County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Montezuma County come from?
The largest single origin is La Plata County, with 120 households. Arriving households report an average income of $69,282 against $53,233 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Montezuma County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Montezuma County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Montezuma County
Cities and places in Montezuma.
5 Census places lie wholly or partly in Montezuma County. All 5 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortez | city | 8,976 | 30 | Wholly in this county |
| Mancos | town | 1,174 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Towaoc | CDP | 1,078 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Dolores | town | 918 | 9 | Wholly in this county |
| Lewis | CDP | 277 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
Nearby