Watkins: Economy & Jobs
Watkins's typical household earns $158,173 (1.6× higher than Arapahoe County median $101,087; 1.7× higher than Colorado median $95,470), with homes at a median value of $650,500. The surrounding county supports 249,299 jobs (avg $73,817).
- $72,240 avg taxable income per return — lower than the median household income (vs Colorado $94,423).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $158,173 — above the Colorado median ($90,671). Poverty rate 3.4% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 4.1× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 3.4% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 1.9% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $268,400 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $19,389,221 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $72,240 (vs Colorado $94,423) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $179,270 |
| Median Household Income | $158,173 (vs Colorado $90,671) |
| Poverty Rate | 3.4% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Retail |
| Economic Character · Income Level | affluent |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $158,173 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.0% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 6% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 6.0% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 249,299 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $18,402,538,898 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $73,817 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,832,010 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% (vs Colorado 3.4%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 155 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 121,156 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 781.70 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Grain, Animal Totals, Wheat, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 11,156 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 196,965 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 12,000,744 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 67 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 36 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 116 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 111 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 39 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 44 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 22 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 264 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 374 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 41 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 86 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (10)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (3)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Mc Gas & Food |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 3.4 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GREATER CANON CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $3,711,782,259 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,143.92 (vs Colorado $9,325) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 519,572 people (vs Colorado 108,201) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 89.6% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 1.3% |
| Pct Walked | 6.0% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 41.6 years (vs Colorado 35.7y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 41.2% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 6 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12