Colorado County Income and Housing Rankings: Where to Live and Invest

Colorado's 64 counties tell very different economic stories. From high-earning suburbs outside Denver to rural communities on the eastern plains, the gaps in income, housing costs, and opportunity are substantial. Here is what the data shows.

Colorado's Economic Overview

The average median household income across 64 Colorado counties is $74,792. That sits above the national county average of $65,006, driven largely by the strong performance of counties in the Front Range corridor.

The average poverty rate across Colorado counties is 12.1%, compared to a national average of 15.0%. But those figures vary sharply from county to county.

The Highest Income Counties

The wealthiest counties in Colorado are concentrated around the Denver metro and mountain resort areas, where high-skill jobs and strong housing markets push incomes well above the state average:

1. Douglas County, Colorado: $145,737 median household income
2. Elbert County, Colorado: $129,477 median household income
3. Broomfield County, Colorado: $121,025 median household income
4. Jefferson County, Colorado: $107,800 median household income
5. Summit County, Colorado: $106,255 median household income

Counties Facing Economic Pressure

At the other end of the spectrum, several Colorado counties face persistent economic challenges, with median incomes well below both the state and national averages:

1. Crowley County, Colorado: $47,563 median household income
2. Conejos County, Colorado: $47,209 median household income
3. Jackson County, Colorado: $41,809 median household income
4. Baca County, Colorado: $40,380 median household income
5. Costilla County, Colorado: $36,519 median household income

Most Affordable Housing Markets

For buyers looking to stretch their budget, these Colorado counties offer the lowest median home values in the state:

1. Crowley County, Colorado: $106,700 median home value
2. Baca County, Colorado: $122,000 median home value
3. Bent County, Colorado: $137,900 median home value
4. Sedgwick County, Colorado: $142,700 median home value
5. Kiowa County, Colorado: $148,600 median home value

Education Rates by County

Bachelor's degree attainment is closely tied to income and job market strength. The top counties in Colorado for educational attainment are:

1. San Miguel County, Colorado: 65.2% with bachelor's degree or higher
2. Pitkin County, Colorado: 64.0% with bachelor's degree or higher
3. Boulder County, Colorado: 63.9% with bachelor's degree or higher

Key Takeaways

Douglas County leads the state with a median household income of $145,737, reflecting the economic strength of the Denver metro's southern suburbs. Meanwhile, counties like Costilla and Baca on the southern and eastern borders face median incomes under $45,000, highlighting the depth of regional disparity within the state.

For anyone looking to understand where Colorado's economy is strong, where it is under strain, and where housing remains accessible, the county-level data provides the clearest picture available.

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates