CountyScore

Archuleta County

Colorado · CO

#33 in Colorado
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Archuleta County, Colorado

Archuleta ranks solidly nationwide

Archuleta County's composite score of 71.5 places it in the 71st percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong showing reflects a balanced profile with exceptional tax rates and moderate housing costs.

Right at Colorado's average

At 71.5, Archuleta County essentially matches Colorado's state average of 71.8, placing it in the solid middle tier. The county offers a representative Colorado livability profile without standout deficiencies or excesses.

Ultra-low taxes, moderate costs

Archuleta County's tax score of 92.7 is among Colorado's best, with an effective tax rate of just 0.341%. Its cost score of 65.2 reflects moderate housing affordability, with a median home value of $451,400 and median rent of $1,409.

Income levels trail expectations

With an income score of 33.3 and a median household income of $76,524, Archuleta lags state averages in earning potential. Detailed data on safety, health, schools, and other quality-of-life factors is not yet available.

For rural-minded tax avoiders

Archuleta County appeals to people seeking mountain living with minimal tax burden and moderate housing costs, even if income potential is limited. It suits retirees, freelancers, and those prioritizing lifestyle and fiscal responsibility over career advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.7Cost65.2SafetyComing SoonHealth75.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.3Risk65.5WaterComing Soon
🏛92.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.5
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 Archuleta County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723
Dubois County
Indiana
72
Median income: $71,918

Deep Dives

Archuleta County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Archuleta County

via TaxByCounty

Archuleta taxes far below national average

Archuleta County's effective rate of 0.341% ranks in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties, well below the national median of 0.52%. Even with above-average home values ($451k median), the median tax of $1,541 is 43% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Colorado's most tax-friendly county

Archuleta County has Colorado's lowest effective property tax rate at 0.341%, less than 87% of the state average of 0.393%. Its median tax of $1,541 is only 1% above the state median despite homes being 60% more valuable.

Dramatically lower than surrounding areas

Archuleta County's 0.341% rate is uniquely low compared to regional peers, offering substantial tax relief for mountain property owners. This advantage persists despite Archuleta homes commanding premium prices in the scenic San Juan region.

What your $451k mountain home costs

A median-valued home in Archuleta County at $451,400 generates approximately $1,541 in annual property taxes. Interestingly, the mortgage deduction slightly lowers your effective cost to $1,513 per year.

Verify your assessment regardless

Archuleta County's low rates don't guarantee accurate assessments—some properties may still be overvalued relative to market sales. Review your assessment card and request an appeal if it significantly exceeds recent comparable property sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Archuleta County

via CostByCounty

San Juan mountain gateway

Archuleta County households earn $76,524, just above the national average, yet spend 22.1% of income on rent—marking it as slightly less affordable than the national norm. The median rent of $1,409/month reflects this mountain region's growing appeal to relocating remote workers and retirees.

Mid-tier affordability in Colorado

Archuleta County's 22.1% rent-to-income ratio sits above Colorado's 20.2% state average, placing it in the pricier half of the eight counties analyzed. At $1,409/month, median rents run 12% above the state average, a consequence of the county's scenic mountain location and limited housing supply.

Pricier mountain living

Archuleta's $1,409 rent exceeds Alamosa County's $904 by 56% and Bent County's $854 by 65%, but trails Adams County's $1,713 by 18%. Home values of $451,400 position it between affordable Alamosa and pricey Boulder, reflecting its middle status as an emerging mountain destination.

Renters pay more than buyers

Archuleta County renters pay $1,409/month while homeowners spend $1,137/month—a rare inversion where ownership costs $272 less than renting. For a household earning the median $76,524, this $272 monthly difference could mean the distinction between financial strain and stability.

Mountain retreat for remote workers

Moving to Archuleta County? The $76,524 median income paired with $1,409 rents suggests this San Juan region appeals most to remote workers or early retirees seeking mountain living. Factor in the $1,137 mortgage—16% lower than rent—if you're ready to buy.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Archuleta County

via IncomeByCounty

Archuleta edges slightly above US median

Archuleta County's median household income of $76,524 modestly exceeds the national median of $74,755 by just 2%, placing it in the middle of the national income distribution. The county's scenic mountain location and tourism appeal support this near-average performance.

Ranks comfortably in middle half

Archuleta County's $76,524 median household income sits slightly above Colorado's state average of $74,792, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. This solid performance reflects a balanced economy of tourism, retirees, and small business.

Higher than rural peers to the east

Archuleta's $76,524 income significantly outpaces struggling rural counties like Baca ($40,380) and Bent ($49,194), while trailing the prosperous Front Range counties. Among Colorado's mountain and southwestern counties, Archuleta performs respectably.

22.1% housing ratio signals fair balance

Archuleta County's 22.1% rent-to-income ratio indicates solid housing affordability relative to earnings, staying well within the 30% comfort threshold. The median home value of $451,400 is accessible to median-income households, supporting local stability and ownership.

Balanced income supports steady growth

Archuleta County's near-national-average income of $76,524 and reasonable housing costs provide a stable foundation for gradual wealth building. Focus on consistent retirement contributions, emergency fund establishment, and taking advantage of any employer retirement match to build long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Archuleta County

via HealthByCounty

Archuleta achieves one of nation's best outcomes

At 79.6 years, Archuleta County residents live longer than the U.S. average of 79.3 years, and only 13.6% report poor or fair health compared to the national average of 16.7%. This small mountain county demonstrates that rural Colorado can deliver health outcomes matching the nation's best.

Archuleta leads Colorado on life expectancy

Archuleta's 79.6-year life expectancy surpasses Colorado's 78.2-year state average, making it one of the healthiest counties in Colorado. Despite slightly exceeding the state's 9.7% uninsured rate at 10.8%, Archuleta residents still achieve excellent health outcomes through strong community health practices.

Archuleta outshines rural Colorado peers

Archuleta's 79.6 years and 13.6% poor/fair health rate dramatically exceed Alamosa County's 73.0 years and 21.2% rate, showing that rural geography doesn't determine health destiny. Archuleta's 87 primary care providers per 100K exceed most county-level averages, supporting accessible, consistent care.

Excellent primary care access drives results

With 87 primary care providers per 100K residents, Archuleta ensures most residents can access routine care quickly and consistently. The county's strong performance on life expectancy and health ratings reflects robust preventive care and disease management, even in a small rural population.

Keep Archuleta coverage strong

Archuleta's 10.8% uninsured rate suggests about 1 in 10 residents lack coverage—slightly higher than Colorado's state average. If you're uninsured, Colorado's marketplace at CoverColorado.com offers affordable plans and Medicaid options for eligible families.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Archuleta County

via RiskByCounty

Archuleta County enjoys well-below-average disaster risk

Archuleta County scores 34.48 on the composite risk scale, placing it below Colorado's state average of 40.67 and substantially below national hazard exposure. This very low rating reflects generally favorable conditions across most disaster categories.

Among Colorado's safest counties by composite measure

Archuleta's 34.48 score ranks it among the lower-risk counties statewide, with overall hazard exposure well below the state average. The county benefits from geography and development patterns that minimize many disaster types.

Comparable safety to nearby southern mountain counties

Archuleta (34.48) sits slightly above Alamosa (40.36) and significantly above Baca (23.16), placing it in the very low risk band shared by Colorado's southern tier. This isolated mountain location provides natural insulation from several major hazard types.

Wildfire emerges as the primary local hazard

Wildfire risk reaches 94.47 in Archuleta—one of Colorado's highest scores—reflecting the county's extensive forests and steep terrain. Flood risk of 51.65 merits attention in canyon and drainage areas, though tornadoes (9.64) pose minimal threat.

Prioritize wildfire defensibility and insurance

Archuleta residents should focus on defensible space around homes and ensure adequate wildfire coverage, as the 94.47 risk score demands serious attention despite overall low county risk. Flood insurance becomes important for properties in drainage corridors, but earthquake and tornado coverage may be deprioritized.

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.