Lake
Colorado

What stands out

If you had to describe Lake County in numbers, start here: the average temperature is among the coldest in America (36°F), life expectancy is in the top 2% of American counties (82.2 years), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 3% of American counties ($1,601 a month). Within Colorado it ranks 1st of 64 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lake County, Colorado. 7,403 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -31).

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 $78,942 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,697. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 80% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 28 minutes each way.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,473 a year.

Home

The median home costs $519K, pricier than 94% of American counties, about 3.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,601 a month. Property tax is 0.47% of home value, roughly $1,550 a year on that median home, lower than 91% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 78% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 82.2 years, longer than 98% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 6.8 per 10,000 people. 10.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.36 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 97% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 20 points. 66% 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 36°F, highs near 49 and lows near 23, colder than almost every county in America. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 4 out of 100, safer than 96% of American counties; the county has had 6 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 218 Mbps down, faster than 58% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.