Durango has been a retirement destination for a long time, and the numbers show a town that skews younger than its surroundings. Whether it suits you comes down to a few measurable things: what a house costs, how you are taxed, what help the county offers and how you feel about altitude and snow. This page lays out those pieces with sources. Opinions on the lifestyle belong to you.
Who retires in Durango?
The Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey (ACS) gives the age mix. The city is not an older place on paper. The county outside it is.
| Area | Share age 65 and over | Median age |
|---|---|---|
| City of Durango | 16.7% | 38.3 |
| La Plata County | 20.8% | 43.2 |
| Colorado | 15.6% | 37.7 |
| United States | 17.2% | 38.9 |
Those figures come from the ACS subject table for age and sex (U.S. Census Bureau). Fort Lewis College is in Durango, which likely helps hold the city's median age down, while the county around it runs older than the state. The State Demography Office adds one more fact for 2024: La Plata County recorded 440 deaths and 406 births, so population growth came from people moving in, which it counts at 454 net (State Demography Office).
What does housing cost?
For owners, the ACS reports the following estimates for 2020-2024 (U.S. Census Bureau):
| Measure | Durango | La Plata County | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $668,400 | $591,500 | $539,400 |
| Median household income | $78,602 | $86,056 | $95,470 |
| Homes lived in by their owners | 53% | 71% | 66% |
Home values in the city sit well above the state median, and household income sits below it. Many newcomers rent first. Our answer on rent in Durango lists current asking rents, and the cost of living guide compares categories.
How does Colorado tax retirees?
The Colorado Department of Revenue says that since tax year 2022, taxpayers 65 or older can subtract the entire amount of Social Security income that is included in their federal taxable income. Pension and annuity income is capped at a subtraction of $24,000 for filers 65 and older ($20,000 for ages 55 to 64), and any Social Security subtraction reduces the amount you can use for pensions. Starting in tax year 2025, filers 55 to 64 can subtract all taxable Social Security if their income stays under set limits (Colorado Department of Revenue). This is the state's description. A tax professional can tell you how it applies to your return.
On property tax, La Plata County's Assessor says a senior exemption is available if you were at least 65 on January 1, owned the home for 10 consecutive years and lived in it for the same 10 years. It is aimed at long-time owners, not newcomers. The application deadline is July 15 (La Plata County Assessor). To learn when bills are due, see property tax due dates in La Plata County.
What help does La Plata County offer seniors?
La Plata County Senior Services serves people 60 and older. Its Senior Services page lists the following:
- Hot lunches at the Durango-La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Avenue, with a suggested donation of $5 for seniors 60 and over
- Meals on Wheels and grab-and-go meals, arranged at (970) 382-6435
- Rides: transportation requests go to (970) 759-6309
- Medicare insurance help and fraud information at 970-403-6759
- Free tax preparation for incomes under $60,000, by appointment on Mondays and Saturdays from February to mid-April
- Classes in tai chi, Zumba, line dancing and a fall-prevention program called "Watch Your Step"
Check the closure notice before you go. The page says the Durango center is closed to the public from Oct. 5 through Nov. 5, 2026 for restroom renovations, and it expects to reopen Nov. 9. The Bayfield center and Meals on Wheels are not affected. We cover the center's programs in what the Durango senior center offers.
What about altitude, winters and health care?
The town sits at a mile-plus elevation, and our answer on altitude sickness in Durango quotes the CDC on when risk begins. Snow is a real part of the year, covered in how much snow Durango gets. For emergencies, what hospital is in Durango names the main hospital and the second emergency room. The nearest large city is a long drive, which the closest big city answer measures. Before you commit, spend a winter month here, and read our guide to moving to Durango for the practical steps.