What are the schools like in Penrose, CO?

Penrose is served primarily by Fremont Re-2. The district operates 2 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.1:1.

What is the median household income in Penrose?

The median household income in Penrose, CO is $77,286 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.5%.

What is the weather like in Penrose, CO?

Penrose has an average high temperature of 49.4°F in January and 89.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 14.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 38.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Penrose, CO affordable or expensive?

Penrose's cost of living index is 98, where 100 represents the national average. This means Penrose is 2% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $284,700 and the median rent is $1,218 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Penrose, CO?

Penrose has a violent crime rate of 83.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 434.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Penrose, CO a Good Place to Live?

Penrose is a small town of 3,900 in Colorado, with a median household income of $77,286 and a 8.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 98 (US average = 100), which is 2% below the national average.

Strengths: Penrose stands out for solid school ratings (B+).

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

All Penrose 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: 98.1

Penrose's overall cost of living index is 98.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Penrose costs roughly 2% less than the average American city.

Metric	Penrose, CO	National Avg
Median Home Value	$284,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,218	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	83.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$77,286	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Penrose's violent crime rate is 83.6 per 100,000 residents — 78% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

83.6 /100k

Property Crime

434.8 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Penrose is served primarily by Fremont Re-2. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.1:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Penrose, CO	National Avg
School District	Fremont Re-2	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	15.1:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	33.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Penrose sees average highs of 49.4°F in January and 89.2°F in July, with 14.8 inches of annual precipitation and 38.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Penrose, CO
Average High — January	49.4°F
Average High — July	89.2°F
Annual Precipitation	14.8"
Annual Snowfall	38.3"

Demographics

Metric	Penrose, CO	National Avg
Population	3,900	—
Median Age	41.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	37.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	94.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	26.3%	22.2%
65 and over	17.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Florence, CO 6 mi Coal Creek, CO 9 mi Williamsburg, CO 10 mi Rockvale, CO 10 mi Brookside, CO 10 mi

ZIP Codes in Penrose

Penrose, CO is covered by 1 ZIP code:

81240

Penrose vs Other Cities

Penrose, CO vs Florence, CO Penrose, CO vs Coal Creek, CO Penrose, CO vs Williamsburg, CO Penrose, CO vs Rockvale, CO Penrose, CO vs Brookside, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Penrose, CO affordable or expensive?

Penrose's cost of living index is 98, where 100 is the national average. That makes Penrose roughly 2% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $284,700 and median rent is $1,218/month.

What is the crime rate in Penrose, CO?

Penrose's violent crime rate is 83.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 434.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Penrose?

Public schools in Penrose are operated by Fremont Re-2. The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.1:1. 33.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Penrose, CO a good place to live?

Penrose, CO has a population of 3,900, a median household income of $77,286, and an unemployment rate of 8.5%. 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 Penrose?

Penrose averages 49.4°F in January and 89.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 14.8 inches with about 38.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Penrose?

Penrose, CO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 81240.

What is the population of Penrose?

The population of Penrose, Colorado is 3,900 with a median age of 41.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Penrose?

Key numbers for living in Penrose: cost of living index 98 (100 = US average), median home $284,700, median household income $77,286, crime index 21 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Penrose side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.