Printer friendly versionQuality of Life?
By Luke Miller
Assistant Professor of Finance
Office of Economic Analysis & Business Research School of Business Administration Fort Lewis College
Many in Durango take advantage of multiple (and many times simultaneous) seasonal employment opportunities working late evening shifts and weekends. Families in the region creatively balance their time between work, play, and child schedules maximizing daylight hours. Why do we do it? For many, it is a search for the intangible quality of life.
Is quality of life quantifiable? Probably not; however, as a financial analyst and statistician, I couldn’t prevent myself from tracking down some of the routine and esoteric facts about the region we call home. In Region 9, the five cities/towns of Durango, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, Dove Creek, and Silverton, were evaluated and compared with other Colorado communities. Consider some of the following key points:
- Considering the plethora of outdoor and cultural activities found in the local area, these Region 9 towns are some of the least expensive ‘resort-like’ communities in the state. With a median home value-to-median income level ratio less than Denver and more than half that of Telluride, Boulder, Vail, and Steamboat Springs, the region sports a sizeable cost-of-living advantage.
- Weather, weather, weather; the region boasts San Diego-like weather 8 months out of the year, with more sunny days than Southern California (275 days), plus a little powder to ease the transition between fall and spring seasons.
- Durango has one of the most educated populations (nearly 30% have at least a Bachelor’s degree), youngest (median age 29), most employed (unemployment 3.9%), and best public school systems (as measured by standardized third and tenth grade examinations) in the state.
- Durango is home to Fort Lewis College whose School of Business Administration is one of only four institutions its size in the United States to receive AACSB accreditation, of which only 10% of all business schools in the world have attained.
- Cortez is one of the most diverse economies in the region supported by agriculture and tourism, plus it has one of the highest homeownership rates (nearly 60%) in the state.
- Pagosa Springs, Dove Creek, and Silverton have some of the highest air quality ratings in the country, and a high percentage of entrepreneurs working from their homes (more than twice the state average).
- Job growth in our local region (averaging 6%) exceeds Denver and most resort-destination communities in Colorado.
For a more detailed perspective of Region 9 and its relation to Colorado and the nation, please reference the following tables. Detailed information from the US Census Bureau, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Association of Realtors, US Department of Health, National Climatic Data Center, and Colorado Department of Education have been compiled to provide a demographic and economic picture of the region in comparison to Denver and other Colorado communities.
