Migration to El Paso County, Colorado: Recent Trends, Top Origins, and What It Means for Real Estate Pros
- Jerad Larkin
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
⬇️DOWNLOAD THE FREE PDF HERE
What are the most recent migration trends into El Paso County, Colorado, and where are newcomers moving from?
El Paso County (Colorado Springs) is still growing through inbound migration, even as Colorado’s overall net migration has slowed. This free PDF breaks down the trendline, the top origin counties (in Colorado and nationwide), and the main “why” behind the moves.
Why I put this free PDF together
If you work anywhere near Colorado Springs, you’ve felt it: more buyers, more renters, more relocation conversations, and a steady stream of “We’re moving here from…” stories.
At the same time, the bigger headlines can feel confusing. Colorado’s net migration has slowed compared to the mid-2010s, and the state even saw a slight net population decline from mid-2024 to mid-2025. Yet El Paso County continues to add residents and remains one of the stronger growth areas in the state. 3
So I wanted one clean resource you can reference quickly. Something you can use for client conversations, content, presentations, recruiting, and market education.
That’s exactly what this free PDF is.
What you’ll learn in the PDF
Here’s what the report covers, in plain English:
The big picture trend: El Paso County is still attracting newcomers, even as Colorado’s overall net migration has slowed in recent years.
Population growth context: El Paso County’s population increased by 5,838 people (0.8%) from July 2023 to July 2024, which was one of the larger gains among Colorado counties.
Top origin counties nationwide: A ranked list of the top counties sending movers to El Paso County, including major Colorado Front Range sources and key out-of-state feeders.
Top origin counties within Colorado: A Colorado-only breakdown that shows just how dominant the Denver metro pipeline is.
What’s driving the moves: Affordability, job growth, military presence, and the broader shift toward mid-sized metros.
The headline trend: growth is still happening, but the pace is changing
One of the most important takeaways is nuance.
Yes, Colorado’s overall net migration in 2025 was reported as significantly lower than in 2015, and the state saw a slight net population loss from mid-2024 to mid-2025 (more people leaving than arriving).
But El Paso County is not following that exact same script. The county continues to grow, and the report highlights that much of the growth is tied to people moving in (not just “natural increase”).
If you’re a real estate agent or lender, this matters because it supports what you’re seeing on the ground: demand is still being fueled by new households showing up.
Where people are moving from: Denver metro is the main pipeline
The report makes this very clear: the Denver metro area is the biggest feeder of new residents into El Paso County.
Using migration flow data as a benchmark, the top four origin counties are:
Arapahoe County, CO: ~2,466
Adams County, CO: ~2,415
Douglas County, CO: ~2,412
Denver County, CO: ~2,409
And newer data referenced in the report notes that about 62% of Colorado Springs’ in-state newcomers came from the Denver-Aurora metro area in the past year, often tied to affordability and quality-of-life motivations.
How to use that in a client conversation
If I’m talking to a seller (or coaching an agent on messaging), I’d frame it like this:
“Colorado Springs isn’t just relying on local demand. A big portion of demand is being fueled by people relocating from the Denver metro.”
“A lot of your buyers may already be used to Denver pricing, traffic patterns, and commute expectations. That can influence what they’ll pay for and what they’ll compromise on.”
Out-of-state origins: military and major metros show up strongly
The out-of-state list is where this gets really interesting.
Some of the top origin counties nationally include:
Honolulu County, HI: ~1,244
San Diego County, CA: ~876
Bexar County, TX (San Antonio): ~807
Pierce County, WA (Tacoma area): ~781
The report ties much of this to military rotations and the defense ecosystem, which makes sense given the scale of installations in and around Colorado Springs.
What that means for real estate professionals
Out-of-state and military-driven relocation patterns can impact:
Timing and urgency: transfers, reporting dates, and tight housing windows
Financing needs: VA loans, remote closings, coordination-heavy timelines
Rental demand: temporary housing and mid-term leases while buyers shop
If you want to build a brand in Colorado Springs or El Paso County, understanding these origin markets helps you speak more directly to the actual buyer pool.
The Colorado-only origin list: a quick cheat sheet
When the report narrows to Colorado-only movers, the Denver metro dominance becomes even more obvious.
Top in-state origin counties include:
Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Denver, Jefferson
Pueblo
Boulder, Larimer
Teller, Weld
This is helpful because it tells you where to aim your marketing if you want to attract future Colorado Springs buyers before they move.
Why people are moving to El Paso County
The PDF lays out several drivers that have remained consistent into 2025:
1) Housing affordability and lifestyle
Colorado Springs often represents a more attainable option than Denver for people who still want to stay in Colorado.
2) Strong job growth and a diversified economy
The report highlights continued economic growth and diversification, plus a strong post-pandemic jobs recovery in Colorado Springs.
3) Military presence
Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever SFB, and the Air Force Academy create constant relocation flow, plus the downstream growth from defense contractors and related industries.
4) The “mid-sized metro” trend
Nationally, movers have increasingly favored mid-sized metros that offer jobs and amenities without the cost profile of major coastal cities. The report positions Colorado Springs as a clear beneficiary of that trend.
How I’d use this PDF if I were an agent, lender, or investor
This is the practical section. Here are real ways to turn this report into business:
Use it in listing presentations
Bring a printed copy (or a PDF link) and say:
“Here’s where demand is coming from.”
“Here are the main feeder markets.”
“Here’s why people are choosing this area.”
It’s not fluff. It’s context that helps sellers understand the buyer pool.
Create content that sounds smart without being complicated
This PDF can fuel a month of content:
“Why Denver buyers keep moving to Colorado Springs”
“Top states sending movers to Colorado”
“How military relocation impacts housing demand”
“What migration trends can tell us about future demand”
Build better ad targeting ideas
Even if you never run paid ads, these origin markets can shape your outreach:
Denver metro messaging to potential movers
Military-friendly relocation content
Out-of-state “moving to Colorado Springs” keyword strategy
Improve buyer consults for relocation clients
If a buyer is relocating, you can use the report to help them feel confident:
“You’re not the only one moving here.”
“Here’s what’s driving the growth.”
“Here’s why this market has stayed resilient.”
Final takeaway
Migration trends are not just interesting trivia. They’re a real-world indicator of housing demand, future buyer pipelines, and how to position your messaging. If you work in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, or anywhere along the Front Range, this report gives you quick, credible talking points you can use immediately.
Questions? Contact:
Jerad Larkin
Phone: 303.630.9430
Email: Info@MileHighTitleGuy.com
Want more real estate tools, resources, and marketing ideas? Subscribe at MileHighTitleGuy.com/subscribe for access and invites to classes and events in Colorado.
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