The Town FilesWalsenburg, Colorado
City in Huerfano County · population 3,049 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $147,300
- Household income
- $51,474
- Jan low / Jul high
- 21° / 87°
- Snow a year
- 92 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 1
- Median age
- 41.8
Walsenburg is a city of 3,049 people in Huerfano County, Colorado. The median home is worth $147,300, below the typical Colorado town ($471,100). It ranks hipper than 98% of Colorado towns, easier by car than 93% of Colorado towns, better for first-time buyers than 90% of Colorado towns.
- #2 in 25 Small Towns in Colorado With the Cheapest Homes
- #3 in The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Colorado
- #8 in The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Colorado
- #9 in 25 Small Towns in Colorado With the Mildest Winters
- #25 in 25 Small Towns in Colorado With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
How Walsenburg ranks
Percentile among Colorado towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Colorado towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Walsenburg is worth $147,300, below the typical Colorado town ($471,100). Homes cost about 2.9 times the median household income of $51,474, which is more affordable than 95% of Colorado towns. Median rent is $744 a month. 59.7% of households own their home.
| Housing | Walsenburg | Typical Colorado town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $147,300 | $471,100 |
| Median rent | $744 | $1,582 |
| Median household income | $51,474 | $86,246 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.9× | 5.1× |
| Homeownership | 59.7% | 72.7% |
| Median year built | 1951 | 1982 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 8.9% | — |
Who lives in Walsenburg
| People | Walsenburg | Typical Colorado town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8 | 40.1 |
| Age 65 and over | 21.0% | 16.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 37.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 25.2% | 8.8% |
| Veterans | 8.0% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.3% | — |
| Work from home | 18.5% | 15.3% |
| Average commute | 15.8 min | 24.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 73.8% | 92.9% |
Weather in Walsenburg
July highs average 87.4°F and January lows 20.7°F. About 17.3 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 91.6 inches of snow (typical Colorado town: 47.4 in). Expect about 34 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 137 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Walsenburg since 1950, compared with 11 for the typical Colorado town. The strongest, an F0, struck on May 25, 1976 about 4.8 miles from the town center. The most recent was on May 25, 1976.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 24 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on June 11, 2010.
Severe weather in Huerfano County since 1996
Huerfano County has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for fire, drought, snowstorm.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2020 | Biological | DR-4498: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3436: Covid-19 |
| June 28, 2018 | Fire | FM-5246: Spring Creek Fire |
| June 21, 2013 | Fire | FM-5030: East Peak Fire |
| January 7, 2007 | Snowstorm | EM-3271: Snow |
Jobs and pay in Huerfano County
Huerfano County had 1,830 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $44,374 a year. Unemployment was 5.8% in 2023; in Walsenburg itself the ACS puts it at 11.5%.
Public schools in Walsenburg
2 public schools with 392 students, about 78.4 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peakview School | PK-6 | 218 | — |
| Walsenburg Jr. Sr. High School | 7-12 | 174 | 34.8 |
Walsenburg questions
Is Walsenburg, Colorado a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Walsenburg scores better for retirees than 44% of Colorado towns and quieter than 52%. 21.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 41.8).
How much does a house cost in Walsenburg?
The median owner-occupied home in Walsenburg is valued at $147,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $51,474, so homes cost about 2.9 times income. Median rent is $744 a month.
What is the weather like in Walsenburg?
July highs average 87.4°F and January lows 20.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 17.3 inches of precipitation a year and 91.6 inches of snow.
Does Walsenburg get tornadoes?
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Walsenburg since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F0 on May 25, 1976. The typical Colorado town has had 11.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)