ZIP Code 80521: Population, Income, Housing

State: CO
Total population: 38,776 Household income: $58,082 Rent: $1,444

Overview

Total population
38,776
Rent
$1,444
Year built
1978
Household income
$58,082
Per capita income
$33,574
Poverty rate
32.6%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Household size
2.2 persons
Rent over 30% of income
59%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
Colorado
County
Larimer County
City
Fort Collins
Total population
38,776
Adults over 25
17,018
Total households
14,260
Household size
2.2 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$58,082
Per capita income
$33,574
Poverty rate
32.6%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Rent over 30% of income
59%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,444
Year built
1978
Households that rent
63.2%
Households that own
36.8%
Rooms per home (all homes)
5.2

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
82.7%
Black
1.9%
Asian
3.8%
Two or more races
8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
10.8%
Not Hispanic or Latino
89.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
17,367 (83.4%)
Commute time to work
19 mins
Work from home
3,445 (16.6%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
14.5%
High school graduate or GED
14.3%
Some college or associate degree
7.2%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
64%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of ZIP Code 80521 with: Larimer County, CO Fort Collins metro area, CO Colorado United States

ZIP 80521

Total population38,776
Rent$1,444
Year built1978
Household income$58,082
Per capita income$33,574
Poverty rate32.6%
Unemployment rateN/A

Larimer County, CO

Total population367,368
Rent$1,716
Year built1993
Household income$93,765
Per capita income$51,165
Poverty rate11.2%
Unemployment rate4.2%

Fort Collins Metro Area, CO

Total population367,368
Rent$1,716
Year built1993
Household income$93,765
Per capita income$51,165
Poverty rate11.2%
Unemployment rate4.1%

Colorado State

Total population5,862,189
Rent$1,761
Year built1988
Household income$95,470
Per capita income$52,636
Poverty rate9.4%
Unemployment rate4.3%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric ZIP80521 CountyLarimer, COMetro AreaFort Collins metro area, COStateColoradoCountryUnited States
Total population38,776367,368367,3685,862,189334,922,499
Rent$1,444$1,716$1,716$1,761$1,413
Year built19781993199319881980
Household income$58,082$93,765$93,765$95,470$80,734
Per capita income$33,574$51,165$51,165$52,636$44,673
Poverty rate32.6%11.2%11.2%9.4%12.5%
Unemployment rateN/A4.2%4.1%4.3%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for 80521

Rent & Income

In 80521, the typical monthly rent is $1,444 and the typical household income is $58,082. Rent here is lower than Colorado, and household income is lower than Colorado. The estimated poverty rate is 32.6%.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 63.2% of households, making this a predominantly renter area. About 59% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 64% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

 

ZIP 80521 — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

ZIP 80521 — Poverty

 

 

How ZIP 80521 compares in Colorado (79 ZIP Codes)

Metric This ZIP Rank Starts from State range
Rent $1,444 8 / 79 from lower rent $1,080 – $2,798
Household income $58,082 77 / 79 from higher income $48,417 – $181,049
Poverty rate 32.6% 79 / 79 from lower poverty 2.7% – 32.6%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in Colorado with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

 

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 80521

Rent

In terms of rental prices, this ZIP stands 8th out of 79 ZIP Codes in Colorado. Across Colorado, figures vary from $1,080 in ZIP 81005 up to $2,798 in ZIP 80516.

Household income

When comparing household incomes, ZIP Code 80521 stands 77th out of 79 ZIP Codes. Throughout Colorado, numbers span from $48,417 in ZIP 81001 up to $181,049 in ZIP 80108.

Poverty rate

Looking at poverty indicators, this ZIP stands 79th out of 79 ZIP Codes. At the state level, values extend from 2.7% in ZIP 80126 up to 32.6% in ZIP 80521.

 

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 80521 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,444 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 80521

Annual Household Income: $58,082

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 80521

Estimated Rate: 32.6%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 80521

In ZIP Code 80521, households that rent: 9,012 (63.2%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 9,012 63.2%
Owner-Occupied 5,248 36.8%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 80521

In ZIP Code 80521, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 5,313 (59%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 5,313 59%
Other renter households 3,699 41%
Total renter households 9,012 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 80521

Less than High School: 2,466 people (14.5%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 2,429 people (14.3%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 1,232 people (7.2%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 10,891 people (64%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 17,018

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.