CountyScore

Conejos County

Colorado · CO

#17 in Colorado
75.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Conejos County, Colorado

Conejos Ranks in Nation's Top-Quartile Counties

Conejos County's composite score of 79.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 59%, placing it decisively in America's most livable counties. This exceptional score reflects rock-bottom housing costs and favorable tax conditions, though income levels remain a structural constraint.

Colorado's 4th-Highest Overall Livability

Conejos ranks 4th among Colorado's 64 counties with a score of 79.5, exceeding the state average of 71.8 by nearly 8 points. Only a handful of Colorado counties offer comparable affordability combined with favorable tax treatment.

Unmatched Affordability and Tax Efficiency

Conejos delivers a cost score of 87.3 with a median home value of just $162,100 and monthly rent at $724—among the lowest in Colorado. A tax score of 90.9 and effective rate of 0.404% complete the picture: this is one of America's most affordable rural counties.

Severe Income Limitations and Sparse Data

The income score of 14.2 reflects a median household income of only $47,209, creating a significant economic constraint for working families. Critical data on safety, health, school quality, and infrastructure gaps remain unavailable, limiting full assessment of livability.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote-Work Pioneers

Conejos County suits fixed-income retirees and remote workers whose income doesn't depend on local job markets and who prize maximum affordability. This rural, agricultural community rewards those seeking extremely low cost of living in exchange for limited local economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.9Cost87.3SafetyComing SoonHealth64.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.2Risk77.1WaterComing Soon
🏛90.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡77.1
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 Conejos County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Arkansas
75.6
Median income: $63,654
Baca County
Colorado
75.6
Median income: $40,380
East Feliciana Parish
Louisiana
75.6
Median income: $72,899
Winn Parish
Louisiana
75.6
Median income: $46,368
Mineral County
Montana
75.6
Median income: $61,117

Deep Dives

Conejos County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Conejos County

via TaxByCounty

Conejos tax rate exceeds national median

Conejos County's effective rate of 0.404% ranks above the national median of 0.370%, placing it roughly in the 60th percentile. On a $162,100 median home, residents pay just $655 annually—far below the national median property tax of $2,690.

Slightly above Colorado average

Conejos's 0.404% rate edges above Colorado's 0.393% average by a small margin. The county's median tax of $655 runs well below the state average of $1,560, reflecting significantly lower home values in this southern Colorado county.

South-central county comparison

Conejos's 0.404% rate compares to nearby Costilla County (0.310%) and sits between the region's typical rates. As a rural southern Colorado county, Conejos carries a moderate tax burden relative to its peers.

Median home costs $655 yearly

On Conejos's $162,100 median home, annual property taxes run approximately $655. Mortgage holders pay $851, while those without mortgages pay $583.

Consider an assessment appeal

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 Conejos County

via CostByCounty

Conejos balances low income with affordability

Conejos County's median household income of $47,209 falls well below the national average, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% remains reasonable. This southern county demonstrates that low-income areas can still offer relative housing affordability.

Below-average income, below-average costs

Conejos ranks among Colorado's more affordable counties with an 18.4% rent-to-income ratio, beating the state average of 20.2%. The median rent of $724 is $529 cheaper than Colorado's state median, reflecting limited local demand.

Competitive with rural southern Colorado

Conejos's $724 median rent ranks second-cheapest in this region, just $133 more than Cheyenne County and $1 more than Costilla. Despite economic challenges, this county remains an affordable option for budget-conscious households.

Rent takes 18% of limited incomes

On a median household income of just $47,209, Conejos renters spend $724 monthly—18.4% of earnings—leaving modest resources for other needs. Homeowners fare slightly better at 13.6% of income, making ownership more appealing than renting.

Conejos works for cost-conscious relocators

This rural southern county offers the lowest rents outside Cheyenne and owns the second-lowest home values ($162,100), ideal for those prioritizing minimal housing costs. Limited job markets demand remote income or retirement status.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Conejos County

via IncomeByCounty

Conejos faces significant income challenge

Conejos County's median household income of $47,209 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $27,500—a 37% shortfall. This deep gap signals economic hardship typical of rural, agricultural-dependent counties with limited job diversification.

Among Colorado's lowest earners

Conejos County ranks in the bottom tier of Colorado's 64 counties with median household income of $47,209, well below the state average of $74,792. Agricultural employment, limited industry, and population decline define the county's economic struggle.

Costilla and Conejos share rural poverty

Conejos ($47,209) fares better than Costilla County ($36,519) but significantly trails Crowley ($47,563), revealing pockets of income stress across southern Colorado. All three counties struggle with agricultural economies and limited access to high-wage urban employment.

Housing still strains tight Conejos budgets

With a median household income of just $47,209, Conejos residents spend 18.4% of income on rent—manageable but concerning given overall financial tightness. Median home value of $162,100 remains accessible, but lower incomes leave little margin for emergencies.

Conejos families must prioritize savings discipline

Households earning $47,209 should focus first on building emergency savings and reducing debt before investing. Even small, consistent contributions to retirement accounts—starting with employer match—compound over decades to improve financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Conejos County

via HealthByCounty

Conejos faces significant health gaps

At 72.7 years, Conejos County residents live nearly 5.6 years less than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With 21.2% reporting poor or fair health—nearly 50% higher than the national rate—the county confronts serious health challenges.

Among Colorado's lowest life expectancy

Conejos County's 72.7-year life expectancy trails Colorado's 78.2-year average by 5.5 years, marking one of the state's worst outcomes. The 21.2% poor/fair health rate more than doubles Colorado's typical rate, signaling acute population stress.

Rural southeast faces similar struggles

Conejos (72.7 years) ranks just slightly above Costilla County (69.9 years) and Crowley County (70.1 years), with all three rural counties facing steep health disparities. The region's limited provider networks—Conejos has just 13 primary care providers per 100K—compounds care access barriers.

Uninsured rates near state average

Conejos County's 9.1% uninsured rate closely matches Colorado's 9.7% average, yet primary care scarcity—13 providers per 100K—limits where insured residents can seek help. Rural health workforce shortages remain the county's greatest barrier to improved outcomes.

Coverage is your foundation

Insurance alone won't solve Conejos's health gaps, but it's essential armor. Start by ensuring you're covered through Colorado's health marketplace.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Conejos County

via RiskByCounty

Conejos County remains well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 22.93, Conejos ranks in the very low category, significantly safer than the typical American county. The southern Colorado county's exposure to natural hazards is minimal.

Lower than Colorado's state average

Conejos scores 22.93 compared to Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it in the safer half of the state's 64 counties. It ranks among the lowest-risk counties statewide.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Conejos (22.93) is significantly safer than Chaffee to the north (51.11) and Costilla to the west (6.55), offering relatively stable risk exposure. Its earthquake risk of 46.53 is notably higher than in adjacent counties, though still modest.

Earthquake and wildfire pose modest risks

Conejos's earthquake risk of 46.53 is its highest measured hazard, while wildfire risk is moderate at 58.33. Flood and tornado risks remain low, both under 34.

Standard coverage with earthquake consideration

A standard homeowners policy will cover most exposures, but consider earthquake insurance given your county's 46.53 score—it's affordable and not included in standard policies. Review your home's foundation and secure heavy furniture as low-cost earthquake preparedness.

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.