Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 13% of Residents
Under 20
25%
Over 65
22%
Cortez, CO
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$656
Population
10,066
Renter Mix
39% Rent
The Archaeological Center of America
Adventures
•
Desert
•
History
Cortez is a small town bursting with history and archaeological treasures. The early inhabitants of Cortez developed an awe-inspiring, complex civilization with thriving cliff cities through New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Adding even more historical significance, Cortez was part of the Old Spanish Trail, which connected New Mexico, California, and southern Colorado for trading and commerce.
Today, Cortez is the gateway to these ancient ruins and artifacts, making it one of the richest archaeological centers in the nation. The desert town is nestled between the La Plata and Sleeping Ute Mountains, giving beautiful 360 views. Cortez is also along the Trail of the Ancients Scenic & Historic Byway, which is a great way to view the region’s archaeological beauty.
For entertainment, you can find locals indulging in the natural amenities Cortez offers. The town has over 116 acres of parks and trails. Hawkins Preserves offers hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and stargazing. These are just a few examples of popular outdoor activities in the area. Cortez is also known for wineries, breweries, weekly farmers markets, and farm to table restaurants.
However, the star of Cortez is the Mesa Verde National Park. Thousands flock to this park to view intricate cliff dwellings along with 5,000 other archaeological sites. If you’re looking for even more cool landmarks, travel to the Four Corners monument, a spot where the borders of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. Cortez locals are extremely proud of their rich culture and history. They celebrate by educating visitors at the Cortez Cultural Center and hosting festivals throughout the year.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$53,672
Average: $66,739
Education
2,898
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
4,181
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Cortez has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
39%
Non-Renters
61%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
24%
Other Education
76%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Cortez, CO is $656 for one bedroom, $775 for two bedrooms, and $931 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Cortez has increased by 1.3% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$656/month
711 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Cortez, CO is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
70
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
118 Students
Public
Grades K-5
357 Students
Public
Grades K-5
400 Students
Public
Grades K-5
229 Students
Children's Kiva Montessori School
Public
Grades K-8
142 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
533 Students
Children's Kiva Montessori School
Public
Grades K-8
142 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
601 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
113 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Anasazi Heritage Center
- Yucca House National Monument
Top Apartments in Cortez
Houses for Rent in Cortez
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.