San Miguel
Colorado

What stands out

If you had to describe San Miguel County in numbers, start here: the median home price is among the priciest in America ($1.6M), life expectancy is among the longest in America (88.3 years), and high-school completion is among the highest in America (98%). Within Colorado it ranks 2nd of 62 counties for the median home price.

Where you are

You live in San Miguel County, Colorado. 8,082 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -169).

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 $72,829 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,699. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 60% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 14 minutes each way.

Colorado takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,204 a year.

Home

The median home costs $1.6M, pricier than almost every county in America, about 5.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,466 a month. Property tax is 0.25% of home value, roughly $1,410 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 91% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 88.3 years, longer than almost every county in America. There are 17 active physicians in the county, about 21.0 per 10,000 people. 7.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.48 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 85% of American counties. 98% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 54 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 82% 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 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 25 out of 100, safer than 75% of American counties; the county has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 145 Mbps down, slower than 73% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 3.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.