El Paso
Colorado

What stands out

What stands out about El Paso County: winter sunshine is in the top 3% of American counties (2.2 on the USDA scale), the overdose death rate is in the top 4% of American counties (44 per 100,000), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 6% of American counties ($1,413 a month). Within Colorado it ranks 1st of 63 counties for winter sunshine.

Where you are

You live in El Paso County, Colorado. 730,323 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -619).

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 $82,748 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,491. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 56% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,641 a year.

Home

The median home costs $456K, pricier than 91% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,413 a month. Property tax is 0.42% of home value, roughly $1,629 a year on that median home, lower than 94% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 44 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.9 years, longer than 63% of American counties. There are 2,000 active physicians in the county, about 27.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 8.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.20 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 70% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 11 points. 73% 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 50°F, highs near 65 and lows near 35, colder than 75% of American counties. About 17 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 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 290 Mbps down, faster than 92% of American counties. There are 13 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 16 breweries, 16 museums.