CountyScore

Clear Creek County

Colorado · CO

#34 in Colorado
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Clear Creek County, Colorado

Clear Creek Outperforms National Livability Baseline

Clear Creek County's composite score of 69.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 39%, placing it comfortably in the nation's better-performing counties. This score reflects a strong economic base with high incomes, though housing costs and limited data on community services temper the overall advantage.

Competitive Mid-Tier Ranking in Colorado

At 69.6, Clear Creek ranks slightly below Colorado's state average of 71.8 but competes strongly among mid-tier counties. The county's income advantages offset housing cost challenges, creating a balanced profile for working professionals.

High Incomes and Low Tax Burden

Clear Creek boasts the highest income score of this group at 46.5, supported by a median household income of $96,667—substantially above state averages. A tax score of 91.7 and effective rate of 0.377% ensure residents keep more of their earnings while enjoying mountain access near metro job centers.

Housing Costs and Sparse Community Data

The cost score of 58.7 reflects housing pressures, with a median home value of $572,800 and rent at $1,230/month that strain even high-income households. Safety, health, school, and water quality data are not yet available, limiting insight into broader livability factors.

Best for High-Earning Mountain Commuters

Clear Creek County suits dual-income households and professionals with six-figure earnings who value mountain living and low taxes over affordable housing. The county's proximity to metro job centers and strong income profile make it attractive to those who can absorb higher housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.7Cost58.7SafetyComing SoonHealth84.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome46.5Risk53.3WaterComing Soon
🏛91.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠58.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼46.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.3
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 Clear Creek County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Izard County
Arkansas
71.9
Median income: $47,728
Glascock County
Georgia
71.9
Median income: $55,250
Montgomery County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $66,571
Randolph County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $61,121
Adams County
Iowa
71.9
Median income: $68,828

Deep Dives

Clear Creek County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clear Creek County

via TaxByCounty

Clear Creek slightly below national median

Clear Creek County's effective rate of 0.377% sits just above the national median of 0.370%, placing it near the 50th percentile. On a $572,800 median home, residents pay $2,160 annually—below the national median property tax of $2,690.

Near Colorado's state average

Clear Creek's 0.377% rate nearly matches Colorado's 0.393% state average, making it representative of typical Colorado property tax burdens. The county's median tax of $2,160 exceeds the state average of $1,560, reflecting higher mountain property values.

Mountain neighbor comparison

Clear Creek's 0.377% rate runs slightly higher than nearby Chaffee County (0.278%) and Custer County (0.362%). Among Colorado's mountain counties, Clear Creek sits in the middle range for effective tax rates.

Median home costs $2,160 yearly

On Clear Creek's $572,800 median home, annual property taxes run approximately $2,160. Mortgage holders pay $2,138, while those without mortgages pay $2,217.

Review your assessment

Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to market value and can appeal their valuations to save hundreds annually. If you believe your home is assessed too high, your county assessor's office can walk you through the process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clear Creek County

via CostByCounty

Clear Creek: high income, balanced costs

Clear Creek County's median household income of $96,667 is 29% above the national average, and its rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% beats most American markets. This mountain county balances premium lifestyle with reasonable housing cost burden.

Affordable mountain living with strong earnings

Clear Creek's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio ties it as one of Colorado's most affordable counties despite mountain location, while its $96,667 median income ranks among the state's highest. This combination of strong wages and moderate housing costs is rare.

Rent cheaper than Chaffee, higher than Custer

Clear Creek's $1,230 median rent falls between Chaffee County's $1,514 and Custer County's $1,021, offering middle-ground pricing for the mountain West. Yet homeownership costs ($1,794 monthly) exceed neighboring counties, reflecting premium mountain property values.

High earners keep housing burden low

Despite $572,800 median home values, Clear Creek renters spend only 15.3% of their $96,667 income on rent, thanks to relatively strong local earnings. Homeowners pay 22.3% of income toward monthly costs—higher than renters but manageable for this high-earning county.

Move to Clear Creek for mountain life

If you earn above-average income and value mountain amenities, Clear Creek delivers—your strong salary cushions the premium home prices. This county rewards higher earners with urban-quality housing affordability in a stunning natural setting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clear Creek County

via IncomeByCounty

Clear Creek crushes national income average

Clear Creek County's median household income of $96,667 soars nearly $22,000 above the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking it in the nation's top tier for earning power. This remarkable outperformance stems from high-wage mining, outdoor recreation, and professional services sectors.

Colorado's income champion

Clear Creek's $96,667 median household income towers above Colorado's state average of $74,792 by roughly $22,000. The county consistently ranks among Colorado's highest-earning counties, benefiting from mineral extraction and mountain economy dynamics.

Mountain economy elevates Clear Creek

Clear Creek outearns nearby Chaffee ($70,909) and Custer ($72,700) counties by $23,000 and $24,000 respectively, reflecting its stronger industrial and professional base. Its superior income reflects the county's access to high-wage mining and specialized outdoor industry jobs.

High income offset by peak housing costs

Despite earning $96,667 annually, Clear Creek households face a median home value of $572,800—double the state average. The 15.3% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, but raw housing prices remain a significant wealth barrier for newcomers.

Clear Creek earners should maximize wealth tactics

With $96,667 in annual household income, Clear Creek residents can aggressively fund 401(k)s, HSAs, and taxable investment accounts to build long-term wealth. High earners should consult tax-efficient strategies to preserve income against Colorado's cost structure.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clear Creek County

via HealthByCounty

Clear Creek dominates U.S. longevity

At 83.6 years, Clear Creek County residents live 5.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.3 years, placing the county among America's healthiest. Only 11.6% report poor or fair health, the lowest rate in Colorado's dataset.

Colorado's longevity leader

Clear Creek's 83.6-year life expectancy ranks first in Colorado, beating the state average of 78.2 years by over 5 years. The county's 11.6% poor/fair health rate is Colorado's best, signaling exceptional population health.

Mountain community stands apart

Clear Creek's 83.6-year life expectancy towers over Chaffee County (81.0 years) and Custer County (79.2 years), making it the region's longevity champion. The county's 6.7% uninsured rate is the lowest among peers, indicating strong coverage stability.

Excellent coverage, modest provider count

Clear Creek's 6.7% uninsured rate is Colorado's lowest, well below the state average of 9.7%, reflecting strong health security. Primary care access is more limited at 21 providers per 100K, yet the county maintains efficient, outcomes-driven care.

Secure your health like Clear Creek

Clear Creek's success starts with universal coverage—nearly 93% of residents have insurance. Check the Colorado marketplace to ensure you're covered too.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clear Creek County

via RiskByCounty

Clear Creek's wildfire risk stands out nationally

Clear Creek County scores 46.72 composite risk, placing it in the relatively low category, but its wildfire risk of 93.99 is exceptionally high even by national standards. The mountain terrain and forest coverage create significant fire exposure despite overall moderate risk.

Middle-of-the-pack risk for Colorado

Clear Creek's 46.72 composite score sits just slightly above Colorado's 40.67 state average, ranking it in the mid-range of the state's 64 counties. The county's fire risk, however, is among Colorado's highest.

More fire risk than Chaffee, less overall risk

Clear Creek's wildfire score of 93.99 exceeds Chaffee County's 71.69 and Custer's 81.62, making it the fire hotspot of the northern mountain region. Its composite risk (46.72) remains lower than Chaffee's (51.11) but higher than Custer's (3.91).

Wildfire is an urgent, concrete threat

Clear Creek's wildfire risk of 93.99 far outweighs all other hazards; flood risk is moderate at 40.04, while tornado and earthquake risks are minimal. Current forest conditions and past burn patterns put many homes in active wildland-urban interface zones.

Wildfire insurance and defensible space are critical

Ensure your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage and review replacement cost limits—rebuilding in fire zones is expensive. Create and maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around your home by removing dead trees and pruning lower branches.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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