Garfield
Colorado

What stands out

Three things set Garfield County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is in the top 2% of American counties ($713K), the home price against local income is in the top 4% of American counties (4.7 years of income), and rainfall is in the bottom 6% of American counties (15 inches a year). Within Colorado it ranks 10th of 62 counties for the median home price.

Where you are

You live in Garfield County, Colorado. 61,683 people live here with you. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -6).

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 $82,772 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $64,549. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 65% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,642 a year.

Home

The median home costs $713K, pricier than 98% of American counties, about 4.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,355 a month. Property tax is 0.44% of home value, roughly $1,961 a year on that median home, lower than 93% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 71% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.2 years, longer than 92% of American counties. There are 173 active physicians in the county, about 28.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 13.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.85 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 77% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 80% 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 46°F, highs near 58 and lows near 35, colder than 87% of American counties. About 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 56 out of 100, riskier than 57% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 207 Mbps down, faster than 54% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.