La Plata
Colorado

What stands out

Against every county in America, La Plata County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.27%), the median home price is in the top 3% of American counties ($683K), and the home price against local income is in the top 3% of American counties (4.8 years of income). Within Colorado it ranks 8th of 64 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in La Plata County, Colorado. 55,983 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -134).

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 $81,936 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,965. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 65% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,605 a year.

Home

The median home costs $683K, pricier than 97% of American counties, about 4.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,355 a month. Property tax is 0.27% of home value, roughly $1,362 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.1 years, longer than 95% of American counties. There are 284 active physicians in the county, about 50.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 8.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.84 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 85% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 18 points. 79% 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 47°F, highs near 61 and lows near 33, colder than 83% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 66 out of 100, riskier than 66% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 140 Mbps down, slower than 75% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 3 museums.