Chaffee County, Colorado
Chaffee County: county in Colorado, United States
About
Chaffee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,809 and a population density of 7 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 20,661 inhabitants. Its county seat is Salida. The county was created 147 years ago in 1879.
County Snapshot
Chaffee County at a glance
Chaffee County currently has 3 quality-checked populated place pages linked on MapSof, making it easier to jump from the county overview into local city pages.
Mapped populated places
3
These counts use a stricter populated-place filter so the main lists stay focused on real city and town pages.
Colorado counties
64
Open related pagesLargest city
SalidaPopulation 5,690
Top linked places
Quick Facts about Chaffee County
| Population | 20,661 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Colorado (United States) |
| Area | 2629 km2 |
| Water as percent of area | 0.2% |
| Land as percent of area | 99.8% |
| Latitude & Longitude | 38.7469,-106.1941 |
| Named for | Jerome B. Chaffee |
| Altitude | 8,930 feet / 2722 meters |
| Capital | Salida |
| Establishment | February 10, 1879 |
| Time Zone | America/Denver |
| Local time | 04:54:09 (18th April 2026) |
| Density | 8 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 13.8% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 14℉ Mostly Clear 7-days weather |
Geography
Chaffee County is located at 38°44'49"N 106°11'39"W (38.7469000, -106.1940700). It has 6 neighbors: Fremont County, Gunnison County, Lake County, Park County, Pitkin County and Saguache County.
Chaffee County map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
The largest city of Chaffee County is Salida with a population of 5,690. Other cities include, Buena Vista population 3,116 and Poncha Springs population 1,134. See all Chaffee County cities & populated places.
Chaffee County Populated Places
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Chaffee County.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Salida | 5,690 | City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States |
| Buena Vista | 3,116 | Town of the United States |
| Poncha Springs | 1,134 | Human settlement in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States of America |
Weather
Mostly clear, with a low around 14. Wind chill values as low as 0. West northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
7-Day ForecastOfficial website of Chaffee County
Official WebsiteDemographics
The population of Chaffee County increased by 13.8% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 17,809 | - | census |
| 2011 | 18,028 | 1.21% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 18,154 | 0.69% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 18,355 | 1.1% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 18,451 | 0.52% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 18,612 | 0.87% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 19,110 | 2.61% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 19,666 | 2.83% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 20,041 | 1.87% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 20,356 | 1.55% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 20,661 | 1.48% | estimation process |
Colorado Other Counties (more counties)
| County Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 735,538 | The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area. |
| Denver County | 735,538 | County in Colorado, United States, coterminous with the City of Denver |
| El Paso County | 728,310 | One of the 64 counties in the U. |
| Arapahoe County | 657,452 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Jefferson County | 583,283 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Adams County | 519,883 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Colorado Springs | 482,131 | The second most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. |
| Aurora | 387,377 | The third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area. |
| Douglas County | 360,750 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Larimer County | 360,428 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Weld County | 333,983 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Boulder County | 327,171 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Pueblo County | 169,823 | County in Colorado, United States |
| Fort Collins | 168,234 | The fifth most populous city in Colorado. |
| Lakewood | 157,429 | The fifth most populous city in Colorado. |
| Mesa County | 155,603 | County in Colorado, United States |