Adams
Colorado

What stands out

Three things set Adams County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 3% of American counties ($1,638 a month), home internet speed is in the top 5% of American counties (300 Mbps), and winter sunshine is in the top 5% of American counties (1.9 on the USDA scale). Within Colorado it ranks 12th of 64 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent.

Where you are

You live in Adams County, Colorado. 520,149 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,717).

Colorado's flat income tax is 4.4%, and the TABOR amendment refunds revenue above a spending cap back to taxpayers in strong years. Front Range home prices roughly doubled between 2013 and 2023. The state taxes Social Security for residents under 65 but exempts it fully at 65 and over. Wildfire and hail drive homeowner insurance costs along the mountains and plains respectively.

Money

The typical household here brings in $86,297 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $73,817. Unemployment runs 3.4%, lower than 52% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,797 a year.

Home

The median home costs $486K, pricier than 93% of American counties, about 4.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,638 a month. Property tax is 0.61% of home value, roughly $2,581 a year on that median home, lower than 76% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 56% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 26 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.5 years, longer than 70% of American counties. There are 2,295 active physicians in the county, about 44.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 12.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.76 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 83% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 16 points. 72% of eligible voters turned out. Under Colorado law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 52°F, highs near 67 and lows near 36, colder than 68% of American counties. About 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 94 out of 100, riskier than 94% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 300 Mbps down, faster than 95% of American counties. There are 11 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 7 breweries.