Center: Demographics & People
About 2,120 people live in Center, in 1,031 households. Population shrank 8.3% from 2,312 (2022) to 2,120 (2024). Median age 37.9 years. (11.7y younger than Saguache County; 2.2y older than Colorado). Children under 18 are 29% of the population. Population is 94% Hispanic or Latino and 4% White (non-Hispanic). The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.49). 60% of households are family-led. County is losing 477 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 26% adult obesity, 12% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Colorado avg 2.5).
- 40% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Colorado 38%).
- 81 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Colorado 58).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 8.3% from 2,312 (2022) to 2,120 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,947 (extrapolated at -4.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,732.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 11,539 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -8.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 2,312 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 2,120 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 2,120 people (vs Colorado 108,201) |
| Population Estimate | 1,732 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.9y is 1.0 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 29% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.9 years (vs Colorado 35.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 28.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 2,120 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 608 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 408.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 761.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 343 |
| Population under 18 | 608 |
| Median age | 37.9 years (vs Colorado 35.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 2,120 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.49 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 1,304 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 48 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 2,095 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 48.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 60.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 94.5% (vs Colorado 22.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 4.4% (vs Colorado 65.2%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (7)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 3.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 14% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 1,310 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 443 |
| Share born in this state | 61.8% |
| Share born in another state | 38.2% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 20.9% |
| Foreign-born residents | 3.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 13.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 252 |
Households & Family Composition
1,031 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 60% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 681 families, 34% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 673 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 681 |
| Married couples with children | 234 |
| Single-parent households | 15 |
| Average household size | 2.25 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 39 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 39 |
| Family households | 616 households (vs Colorado 26,135) |
| Households that are families | 59.7% (vs Colorado 62.3%) |
| Total households | 1,031 households (vs Colorado 42,233) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 13.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 477 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 13.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 12,167 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 12,644 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -477 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 88 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 3.7% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 803 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 08105 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 08 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 105 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Rio Grande |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 24.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 18.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 32.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 08105 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Rio Grande County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 410 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 08105 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Rio Grande County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 72.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 65.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 57.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 11,267 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 4.40 |
| Family Score · Schools | 5 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 28.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 2,120, shrinking, family-oriented, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 2,120 people (vs Colorado 108,201) |
| Town Summary · County | Rio Grande County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade