What are the schools like in Fort Garland, CO?

School district data for Fort Garland is sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

What is the median household income in Fort Garland?

The median household income in Fort Garland, CO is $36,750 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 13.4%.

What is the weather like in Fort Garland, CO?

Fort Garland has an average high temperature of 36.5°F in January and 82.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 10.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 47.8 inches.

Fort Garland, CO Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Fort Garland, CO affordable or expensive?

Fort Garland's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Fort Garland is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $211,800 and the median rent is $754 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Fort Garland, CO?

Crime rate data for Fort Garland is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Fort Garland, CO a Good Place to Live?

Fort Garland is a small town of 582 in Colorado, with a median household income of $36,750 and a 13.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Fort Garland stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Fort Garland is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Fort Garland city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.8

Fort Garland's overall cost of living index is 92.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Fort Garland costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Fort Garland, CO	National Avg
Median Home Value	$211,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$754	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	54.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$36,750	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Fort Garland is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Metric	Fort Garland, CO	National Avg
School District	N/A	—
Elementary Schools	N/A	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	N/A	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	0.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	76.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Fort Garland sees average highs of 36.5°F in January and 82.7°F in July, with 10.4 inches of annual precipitation and 47.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Fort Garland, CO
Average High — January	36.5°F
Average High — July	82.7°F
Annual Precipitation	10.4"
Annual Snowfall	47.8"

Demographics

Metric	Fort Garland, CO	National Avg
Population	582	—
Median Age	22.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	13.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	74.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	25.3%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	35.4%	22.2%
65 and over	11.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Blanca, CO 4 mi San Luis, CO 16 mi San Acacio, CO 17 mi Alamosa East, CO 22 mi La Veta, CO 24 mi

ZIP Codes in Fort Garland

Fort Garland, CO is covered by 1 ZIP code:

81133

Fort Garland vs Other Cities

Fort Garland, CO vs Blanca, CO Fort Garland, CO vs San Luis, CO Fort Garland, CO vs San Acacio, CO Fort Garland, CO vs Alamosa East, CO Fort Garland, CO vs La Veta, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fort Garland, CO affordable or expensive?

Fort Garland's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Fort Garland roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $211,800 and median rent is $754/month.

What is the crime rate in Fort Garland, CO?

Crime data for Fort Garland is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Fort Garland?

School district information is sourced from NCES Common Core of Data.

Is Fort Garland, CO a good place to live?

Fort Garland, CO has a population of 582, a median household income of $36,750, and an unemployment rate of 13.4%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Fort Garland?

Fort Garland averages 36.5°F in January and 82.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 10.4 inches with about 47.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Fort Garland?

Fort Garland, CO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 81133.

What is the population of Fort Garland?

The population of Fort Garland, Colorado is 582 with a median age of 22.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Fort Garland?

Key numbers for living in Fort Garland: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $211,800, median household income $36,750. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Fort Garland side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.