Summit County Permanent Resident Population

The following table provides an overview of the distribution of the permanent resident population in Summit County. These population numbers are based on U.S. Census data and annual population estimates prepared by the State Demography Office in the Colorado Division of Local Government.
Summit County Permanent Resident Population
Area
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
20201
Incorporated Areas

Breckenridge
548
818
1,285
2,408
4,540 5,078
Blue River
8
230
440
685
849 877
Dillon
182
337
553
802
904
1,064
Frisco
471
1,221
1,601
2,443
2,683
2,913
Montezuma
N/A
N/A
60
42
65
74
Silverthorne
400
989
1,768
3,196
3,887
4,402
Subtotal
1,609
3,595
5,707
9,576
12,928
14,408
             
             
Unincorporated Areas

Subtotal
1,056
5,253
7,174
13,972
15,066
16,647
Summit County Total
2,665
8,848
12,881
23,548
27,994
31,055
1The 1970 - 2020 population numbers are based on U.S. Census data.
 
(View a locator map (PDF), depicting the four planning basins and six incorporated towns within Summit County.)
 

Approximately 53% of the permanent residents in the county live in unincorporated areas (properties located outside of town boundaries). The County's Snake River Basin has become the most populated of the unincorporated areas, primarily due to the increased permanent resident population in the Summit Cove and Dillon Valley neighborhoods (currently the two largest and most densely populated neighborhoods in unincorporated Summit County). Among the incorporated towns, the permanent resident population of Dillon increased most dramatically from 2010 – 2020; however, Breckenridge’s permanent resident population has increased the most significantly since 2010.
 
The 2020 Census data released by the State Demographer indicates that the permanent resident population of Summit County is 31,055. This represents an 11% increase in permanent residents from the 2010 Census. The State Demography Office estimates population in arrears as of July 1 of each year (e.g., the 2021 population estimate will be released by the State Demographer in July of 2022).