CountyScore

Adams County

Colorado · CO

#64 in Colorado
58.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Adams County, Colorado

Adams outpaces national median

Adams County scores 61.5 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the 62nd percentile nationwide. This strong national showing reflects the county's vibrant, growing population and solid tax structure.

Below average in state ranking

At 61.5, Adams County sits below Colorado's state average of 71.8, ranking in the lower-middle tier among the state's counties. This gap is primarily driven by housing affordability and income levels that lag state norms.

Tax burden is a clear win

Adams County excels with a tax score of 85.3 and an effective tax rate of just 0.604%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. The county also boasts a median household income of $91,387, offering solid earning potential for families.

Housing costs bite hard

The county's cost score of 48.3 reflects significant housing pressures, with median home values at $458,400 and median rent at $1,713 per month. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and other quality-of-life factors means a fuller picture of livability remains incomplete.

For tax-conscious commuters

Adams County suits working families and professionals who value low taxes and reasonable incomes but are willing to navigate higher housing costs, likely as a suburban base near Denver employment centers. The county's profile suggests a trade-off: excellent tax climate and decent earnings, but expect to spend heavily on housing.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax85.3Cost48.3SafetyComing SoonHealth67.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome43Risk8.8WaterComing Soon
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠48.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼43
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Adams County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kern County
California
58.7
Median income: $67,660
Sacramento County
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58.7
Median income: $88,724
Sarpy County
Nebraska
58.7
Median income: $101,402
Hamilton County
Ohio
58.7
Median income: $70,816
Matagorda County
Texas
58.7
Median income: $55,174

Deep Dives

Adams County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adams County

via TaxByCounty

Adams taxes rank high nationally

Adams County's effective tax rate of 0.604% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.52%, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties by burden. The median property tax here is $2,770, slightly above the national median of $2,690, despite homes being pricier than average.

Highest rate in Colorado

Adams County has the highest effective property tax rate among Colorado's 64 counties at 0.604%, nearly 54% above the state average of 0.393%. Its median tax of $2,770 is 78% higher than Colorado's median of $1,560.

Outpaces metro neighbors

Adams County's 0.604% rate far exceeds Arapahoe County (0.526%) and Boulder County (0.535%), despite similar home values in the Denver metro region. Only Broomfield County (0.616%) taxes at a higher rate in the immediate area.

What your $458k home costs

A median-valued home in Adams County at $458,400 generates approximately $2,770 in annual property taxes. With mortgage tax deductions, your effective cost rises to $2,902 per year.

Appeal your assessment today

Many Adams County homeowners are assessed above fair market value and could recover hundreds annually through a formal appeal. Check your assessment against recent comparable sales in your neighborhood—the appeal process is free and straightforward.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adams County

via CostByCounty

Adams rents cost more than most

Adams County renters spend 22.5% of their income on rent, outpacing the nation's typical 22% threshold for affordability. The median household income of $91,387 is 22% higher than the national average of $74,755, yet housing costs still claim a significant share of family budgets.

Above average in Colorado's market

Adams County's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks it above Colorado's state average of 20.2%, placing it among the more expensive counties statewide. While median rents of $1,713 exceed the state average of $1,253 by 37%, median home values of $458,400 reflect the county's suburban growth.

Pricier than eastern plains, cheaper than boulder

Adams County rents run $809 higher than Bent County's $854 monthly median but fall well below Boulder County's $1,893. Homeownership costs are also notably higher here at $1,874/month compared to rural neighbors like Baca County at $608/month.

Housing eats 22.5% of paychecks

An Adams County renter earning the median $91,387 annually pays $1,713 monthly in rent, while a homeowner with the median mortgage expense of $1,874 spends roughly the same. Together, these figures show renters and owners investing similar percentages of income in housing despite vastly different equity outcomes.

Denver's gateway with solid income

If you're relocating to the Denver metro area, Adams County offers above-average household incomes and suburban accessibility without the premium prices of central Denver. Compare your salary expectations here—$91,387 median—against the $1,713 monthly rent before making your move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adams County

via IncomeByCounty

Adams earns well above US average

Adams County's median household income of $91,387 runs 22% ahead of the national median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier nationally. This strong performance reflects the county's proximity to Denver's job market and growing suburban workforce.

Ranked 6th richest in Colorado

Among Colorado's 64 counties, Adams ranks 6th for median household income at $91,387—well above the state average of $74,792. This positions Adams as a high-income county, though it trails the Denver metro's wealthiest communities.

Outpaces peers in Denver metro

Adams's $91,387 median household income edges ahead of Denver County and slightly trails Arapahoe County's $97,215. Among metro neighbors, only Boulder and Broomfield counties command higher median incomes than Adams.

Rent takes manageable 22.5% of income

At a 22.5% rent-to-income ratio, Adams County households allocate a healthy share of earnings to housing while staying below the 30% affordability threshold. With median home values at $458,400, homeownership requires discipline but remains within reach for median-income families.

Strong income foundation for wealth building

Adams County's $91,387 median household income provides a solid platform for saving and investing, especially when housing costs consume under 23% of earnings. Consider maximizing retirement accounts, building emergency savings, and exploring real estate investment as wealth-building strategies in this appreciating market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Adams County

via HealthByCounty

Adams life expectancy lags behind nation

At 76.9 years, Adams County residents live about 2.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Nearly 1 in 5 Adams residents (19.1%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 16.7%, signaling higher rates of chronic disease and health challenges across the county.

Adams ranks below Colorado's health average

Adams County's 76.9-year life expectancy falls 1.3 years short of Colorado's 78.2-year state average, placing it in the lower half of Colorado counties. The county's 11.4% uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 9.7%, meaning more Adams residents lack health coverage than typical Coloradans.

Adams trails metro Denver health leaders

Arapahoe County, just east of Adams, boasts a 79.1-year life expectancy and 14.2% poor/fair health rate—both significantly better than Adams's 76.9 years and 19.1%. Adams has fewer primary care providers (52 per 100K) than Arapahoe (83 per 100K), suggesting access gaps in the county's healthcare infrastructure.

One in nine Adams residents lacks insurance

Adams County's 11.4% uninsured rate means roughly 47,000 residents likely skip preventive care due to cost. With only 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, wait times for appointments stretch longer here than in better-resourced counties, forcing many to rely on emergency rooms instead of routine check-ups.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among the 11.4% of Adams residents without health insurance, Colorado's marketplace and Medicaid expansion make coverage more affordable than ever. Visit Colorado.gov/HCPF or CoverColorado.com to explore plans that fit your budget and family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adams County

via RiskByCounty

Adams faces moderate disaster risk nationwide

Adams County scores 91.19 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above the national average and indicating relatively moderate overall hazard exposure. This score reflects significant vulnerabilities across multiple disaster types, from tornadoes to earthquakes, making preparedness essential for residents.

Adams ranks among Colorado's riskiest counties

With a composite risk score of 91.19 compared to Colorado's state average of 40.67, Adams County faces more than double the typical hazard risk for the state. Only a handful of Colorado counties experience comparable disaster exposure.

Higher risk than surrounding metro area counties

Adams County's 91.19 score substantially exceeds Broomfield County (34.70) to the north and significantly outpaces many rural neighbors. Among the Denver metro region, Adams stands out for its elevated multi-hazard profile.

Tornadoes and floods lead Adams' hazards

Tornadoes pose the greatest threat with a risk score of 93.45, followed closely by flooding at 87.21—both among the highest in the state. Earthquakes (84.38) and wildfires (80.95) add layers of vulnerability that require year-round awareness.

Secure coverage against multiple hazard types

Adams residents should prioritize flood insurance beyond standard homeowner policies, as the county's 87.21 flood risk far exceeds typical coverage. Given tornado exposure of 93.45, reinforcing safe rooms and understanding shelter options is equally critical for family safety.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.