countyscore
49.9
County Score
Property Tax 95.2Income & Jobs 94.6Health 91.6

County Report Card

About Clear Creek County, Colorado

Right at the national average

Clear Creek County's composite score of 49.9 essentially matches the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 50th percentile—the literal midpoint of American livability. This suggests the county offers an experience broadly comparable to typical counties across the nation.

Slightly below Colorado's average

Clear Creek scores just under the state average of 51.2, placing it in Colorado's lower-middle tier despite strong individual dimension scores. The overall rating masks significant disparities in the county's profile, with exceptional strengths offset by serious vulnerabilities.

High incomes and excellent health

Clear Creek boasts the highest income score (94.6) among all eight counties, with a median household income of $96,667, supporting professional-class lifestyles. The county also excels in health (91.6), offering robust healthcare quality and outcomes—both essential for affluent residents seeking premier mountain communities.

Safety, housing, and water are urgent issues

The county's greatest vulnerabilities are safety (31.9), housing affordability (9.1), and water resources (10.3), creating serious livability concerns. With median home values at $572,800 and rent at $1,230 monthly, Clear Creek ranks among Colorado's least affordable counties, while its low water score suggests constrained supply or access challenges.

Best for high-earning professionals accepting trade-offs

Clear Creek County suits wealthy professionals and executives who prioritize exceptional incomes, low taxes, and mountain prestige despite significant affordability and safety challenges. This county demands compromise: residents trade financial resources and risk tolerance for access to elite alpine living and world-class healthcare.

Score breakdown

Tax95.2Cost9.1Safety31.9Health91.6Schools33.4Income94.6Risk53.3Water10.3Weather50.9
🏛95.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠9.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼94.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡31.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤91.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓33.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡53.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧10.3
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤50.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱36.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Randolph County
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Washington County
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Marinette County
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Nearby counties

Gilpin County
Colorado
47.9
Summit County
Colorado
49.6
Jefferson County
Colorado
40
Boulder County
Colorado
43.4
Grand County
Colorado
56
Broomfield County
Colorado
45.5
Park County
Colorado
57.7
Denver County
Colorado
33.8

Deep Dives

Clear Creek County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Clear Creek County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety Remains High Near the Divide

Clear Creek County holds a safety score of 97.5, even with a total crime rate of 1,605.9 per 100K. While this rate is higher than some neighbors, it remains much safer than the national average of 2,385.5.

Strong Ranking Among Colorado Counties

The county's total crime rate of 1,605.9 per 100K is better than the state average of 1,834.6. Its safety score of 97.5 also slightly edges out the Colorado average of 97.1.

Comparing Higher Traffic Corridor Crime

Clear Creek sees more activity than Chaffee County, likely due to its high-traffic mountain corridor status. Three reporting agencies manage the county's 1,605.9 per 100K crime rate to keep it below state averages.

Focus on Property Crime Prevention

Violent crime is low at 117.0 per 100K, but property crime is more common at 1,488.9. Most reported incidents involve theft or property damage rather than person-to-person crime.

Proactive Steps for Property Safety

With property crime making up the majority of reports, home security systems are a wise investment. Staying informed about local trends helps residents protect their homes and maintains the county's high safety score.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Clear Creek County

via SchoolsByCounty

Centralized Learning in the Mountains

Clear Creek County supports five public schools under a single unified school district. The system serves 680 students across three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This mountain community also offers school choice through one local charter school, which represents 20% of the county's educational options.

Strong Graduation Rates and Competitive Scores

The county maintains a graduation rate of 84%, slightly exceeding the Colorado state average of 83.1%. Academic performance is solid, with a school score of 51.0 that sits just above the state and national medians. Per-pupil expenditure is $7,287, placing it slightly below the state average of $7,447.

Clear Creek School District No. Re-1

As the sole provider for the region, Clear Creek School District No. Re-1 manages all 680 students across its five facilities. The district includes the Georgetown Community School, a charter elementary serving 94 students. This structure ensures a unified educational vision for families throughout the county.

Rugged Settings with Small Classes

The entire school system operates in rural locales, reflecting the county’s mountainous geography. The average school size is 136 students, providing a scale that balances social opportunities with personal attention. Clear Creek High School is the largest hub with 209 students, while Georgetown Community School is the smallest with 94.

Mountain Living Meets Strong Schools

For those relocating to the mountains, Clear Creek offers a school system that outperforms state graduation benchmarks. Homebuyers can choose between traditional district schools and charter options within a single, cohesive district. Secure your place in a community where the schools are as impressive as the surrounding peaks.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Clear Creek County

via WeatherByCounty

Clear Creek: Mountain Climate, Extremely Cold

At 39.9°F, Clear Creek County is nearly 10 degrees colder than the U.S. median of 49.5°F, placing it among the nation's coldest counties. Its 20.0 inches of annual precipitation slightly exceed the national median, but high elevation transforms most of that into snow rather than rain. This is authentic alpine climate, shaped by its high-elevation mountain location.

Clear Creek: The Coldest Colorado County

Clear Creek County's 39.9°F average temperature ranks as the coldest in Colorado, a stark 6.1 degrees below the state average of 46.0°F. The county receives 20.0 inches of precipitation annually—above Colorado's 16.0-inch state average—but nearly all falls as snow rather than rain due to elevation. This extreme cold is driven by the county's location in the heart of the Rockies, with peaks exceeding 13,000 feet.

Coldest Mountain Valley in the Region

Clear Creek County is substantially colder than neighboring Gilpin County to the northeast and Park County to the south, which sit at lower elevations and average 3–4 degrees warmer. Its 129.8 inches of annual snowfall dwarfs precipitation in nearby metro counties like Denver (41.3 inches), though the moisture totals are comparable when water content is considered. The county's alpine character stands apart from all surrounding lowland and foothill neighbors.

Zero Hot Days, 130 Inches of Snow

Clear Creek County never reaches 90°F—it experiences zero extreme heat days annually, with July averaging just 60.1°F and January dropping to 23.9°F. Annual snowfall totals 129.8 inches, ranking among the highest in Colorado and creating a winter season that typically lasts six months. The summer-to-winter temperature swing of 36 degrees is modest compared to plains counties, because cool temperatures persist year-round.

Build for Blizzards and Year-Round Cold

Residents must invest in heavy-duty heating systems, triple-glazed windows, and serious insulation to handle perpetual cold and 129.8 inches of annual snow. Outdoor gear must include avalanche safety equipment for backcountry travel, and vehicles require winter tires from September through May at minimum. Summer recreation (60°F conditions) is the only season for outdoor activity without cold-weather gear; plan accordingly, as even summer nights drop below 40°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Clear Creek County

via SoilByCounty

Undeveloped Alpine Profiles

Comprehensive soil taxonomy and pH data remain limited for this steep, mountainous terrain. Soils here are often young and influenced by the surrounding mineral-rich bedrock. Most local soil likely trends toward the state's alkaline average of 7.29.

Rocky and Coarse Mixtures

Specific sand, silt, and clay distributions are not recorded for the county. The landscape is dominated by rocky fragments that provide little natural nutrient retention or workability. Gardeners typically build raised beds to bypass the challenging native ground.

Building Mountain Fertility

Organic matter data is missing, but levels likely sit near or below the state average of 2.18% due to the rocky environment. Available water capacity is unmapped, though the coarse texture suggests low moisture holding power. Local growers rely on heavy mulching to keep plants hydrated.

Coping with Steep Slopes

Hydrologic and drainage classifications are currently unavailable for Clear Creek County. The dramatic elevation changes lead to rapid natural drainage and potential erosion during heavy storms. Careful site management is required to prevent runoff from stripping away topsoil.

Cold-Hardy Garden Success

The county falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, favoring plants that can withstand cool nights. Spinach, peas, and alpine flowers are well-suited for this high-altitude climate. Embrace the short summer by starting seeds indoors to get a head start on the season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clear Creek County

via LawnByCounty

Mountain Turf and High Altitude Hurdles

Clear Creek County earns a lawn difficulty score of 36.5, placing it just below the state average of 37.4. In this Zone 5b region, the challenge isn't heat, but rather a very compressed growing window and high-altitude logistics. You are competing against a national median score of 50.0, meaning lawn care here requires much more specialized attention.

High Precipitation but a Short Season

With 20 inches of annual precipitation, you enjoy significantly more moisture than the typical Colorado county. However, the 904 growing degree days indicate a very slow metabolic rate for turf, and you have zero extreme heat days to boost growth. A late spring frost on June 6th means you have a narrow window to get grass established before the fall chill.

Navigating Unknown Soil Compositions

Because soil data for Clear Creek is not currently recorded in the central database, you must act as your own scientist. Mountain soils often suffer from poor depth and high acidity or heavy rock content. Test your soil for drainage capability before seeding, as the 20 inches of rain can cause issues in poorly draining mountain pockets.

Fighting Severe and Persistent Drought

The entire county is currently locked in severe drought conditions, having spent 35 weeks in drought over the last year. Despite the higher-than-average precipitation, 100% of the area is struggling with moisture deficits. Focus on aeration to ensure every drop of water reaches the root zone rather than running off your mountain terrain.

Selecting Hardy Mountain Grasses

Stick with cool-season grasses like Fine Fescue that can handle the shade and cooler temperatures of Clear Creek. Your planting window begins after June 6th, so move quickly to establish roots before the September 19th frost. While the growing season is short, the lack of extreme heat means your lawn won't suffer from typical summer scorching.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clear Creek County's county score?
Clear Creek County, Colorado has a composite county score of 49.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Clear Creek County rank among counties in Colorado?
Clear Creek County ranks #34 among all counties in Colorado on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Clear Creek County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Clear Creek County is $2,160, with an effective tax rate of 0.38%. This earns Clear Creek County a tax score of 95.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clear Creek County?
The median household income in Clear Creek County, Colorado is $96,667 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clear Creek County earns an income score of 94.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clear Creek County, Colorado a good place to live?
Clear Creek County scores 49.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #34 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Clear Creek County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Clear Creek County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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