Gunnison County

Gunnison County, Colorado - Key Demographics (latest estimates, 2022):

• Population: 17,507

• Age Distribution:

  • Median Age: 36.1 years
  • Under 18: 16.5%
  • 18–64: 73.6%
  • 65 and over: 9.9%

• Gender:

  • Male: 54.3%
  • Female: 45.7%

• Racial/Ethnic Composition:

  • White (non-Hispanic): 84.8%
  • Hispanic/Latino (any race): 12.5%
  • Two or more races: 2.5%
  • Other (including Black, Asian, American Indian): <1% each

• Household Data:

  • Number of Households: 6,999
  • Average Household Size: 2.29 persons
  • Family Households: 56.5%
  • Nonfamily Households: 43.5%
  • Owner-occupied Housing Rate: 65.9%
  • Renter-occupied Housing Rate: 34.1%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2022), American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022)

In Gunnison County, CO, email usage reflects high digital connectivity consistent with rural Colorado trends. The county’s population is approximately 17,000. Broadband penetration is robust, with 92% of households having internet access, and about 88% of adults regularly using email. This equates to roughly 13,400 email users in the county. Age distribution for digital access shows higher engagement among adults aged 18-64, comprising nearly 75% of users, while those 65+ represent around 20%, and youth under 18 make up about 5%, primarily through shared family accounts. The gender split is nearly even, with women accounting for approximately 51% and men 49% of regular email users. Gunnison’s digital inclusion is further supported by county-wide public Wi-Fi, high smartphone adoption (about 85% of adults), and expanding fiber-optic infrastructure, especially within the City of Gunnison and Crested Butte area, where internet speeds regularly exceed 50 Mbps. These trends highlight above-average rural connectivity rates and a widespread reliance on email across demographic groups.

Mobile phone usage in Gunnison County, CO, reflects both the community’s rural character and its unique demographic profile, marking several trends distinct from broader Colorado patterns. As of 2023 estimates, around 91% of adults in Gunnison County use mobile phones, slightly below Colorado’s statewide average of 96%. Smartphone adoption among adults stands at approximately 85%, with younger adults (ages 18–34) reporting near-universal usage at 99%, while the rate for those 65 and older drops to 77%, mirroring higher age-related disparities locally than at the state level.

Demographically, Gunnison County’s year-round population skews younger compared to similarly sized Colorado counties, largely due to the presence of Western Colorado University. Individuals aged 18–24 comprise approximately 19% of the county’s residents, driving higher rates of social media and messaging app usage compared to more elderly-dominated rural areas elsewhere in the state. Hispanic residents, who make up about 12% of the local population, report mobile adoption rates closely tracking the county’s overall average, with below-state-average gaps between racial and ethnic groups, attributed to targeted community outreach and school-based digital literacy programs.

Digital infrastructure in Gunnison County exhibits challenges common to rural mountain areas, but also benefits from recent state and federal investment. About 87% of households have access to reliable 4G coverage within five miles of home, compared to 95% statewide. Despite ongoing fiber rollouts, only 61% of rural homes currently report access to broadband speeds capable of high-quality video streaming, versus the Colorado state average of 78%. These limitations have led to a higher reliance on mobile data for internet access among Gunnison residents: 28% of adults rely on smartphones as their primary connection, a figure nearly double the state average. Mobile banking, telemedicine, and streaming adoption have all increased rapidly post-2020, but pocket “dead zones” in mountainous areas cause persistent service gaps, highlighted by local emergency services as a top priority.

Overall, Gunnison County demonstrates both high engagement with mobile technology, particularly among younger and Hispanic populations, and ongoing challenges related to rural digital infrastructure. The county’s rates of mobile-only internet access and generational divides exceed state averages, pointing to continued gaps but also opportunities as network expansion accelerates and digital equity initiatives take hold.

Social Media Usage in Gunnison County, CO

User Statistics
Gunnison County, with a population of approximately 17,000 residents, shows high social media penetration relative to rural counties in Colorado. As of 2024 estimates, about 72% of adults (roughly 12,000 people) actively use at least one social media platform monthly.

Age Groups

• Ages 18-29: 91% social media usage
• Ages 30-49: 85%
• Ages 50-64: 69%
• Ages 65+: 51%
  The 18-29 cohort is the most active, particularly on newer platforms.

Gender Breakdown

• Female users constitute about 54% of active social media users
• Male users make up 46% Women in the county are more likely to participate in local groups and community forums.

Most-Used Platforms

• Facebook: 61%
  Remains the dominant platform, especially for community news, events, and local buy/sell groups.
• Instagram: 47%
  Popular among 18-39 year olds, driven by outdoor recreation content and small business promotion.
• YouTube: 44%
  High engagement for how-to, conservation, and tourism-related content.
• TikTok: 21%
  Rapid growth among users under 25, with trending outdoor and lifestyle content.
• Nextdoor: 19%
  Used primarily by residents over 35 for hyperlocal information.

Behavioral Trends Residents heavily use social media to engage with community events, local news, and the outdoor recreation scene. Social platforms are a primary channel for civic discussion and local business visibility. Parent groups and classified forums on Facebook are central to community connectivity. Instagram sees notable local business and lifestyle influencer activity, while TikTok is emerging for user-generated trail and recreation videos. Community trust in personal recommendations and peer reviews is high, guiding both buying decisions and local engagement.

Summary Social media in Gunnison County is shaped by strong community orientation and the region’s outdoor culture. Facebook and Instagram dominate, with rising youth migration toward TikTok content. Platform usage is slightly higher among women, and local engagement is central to online behavior.