Lincoln
Colorado

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lincoln County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.32%), winter sunshine is in the top 3% of American counties (2.2 on the USDA scale), and rainfall is in the bottom 6% of American counties (15 inches a year). Within Colorado it ranks 14th of 64 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lincoln County, Colorado. 5,583 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -18).

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 $59,167 a year, lower than 54% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,392. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 71% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,603 a year.

Home

The median home costs $261K, pricier than 60% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $767 a month. Property tax is 0.32% of home value, roughly $768 a year on that median home, lower than 98% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 30 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.4 years, longer than 79% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 9.0 per 10,000 people. 12.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.04 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 53% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 63 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 61% 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 68 and lows near 35, colder than 68% of American counties. About 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 11 out of 100, safer than 89% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 156 Mbps down, slower than 69% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.