CountyScore

Custer County

Colorado · CO

#3 in Colorado
79
County Score

County Report Card

About Custer County, Colorado

Custer County Ranks Well Above U.S. Average

Custer County's composite score of 77.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 55%, placing it decisively in the nation's better-performing counties. The score reflects a balanced profile of tax efficiency, moderate housing costs, and reasonable income levels typical of mountain resort areas.

Upper-Tier Colorado County Ranking

At 77.5, Custer ranks significantly above Colorado's state average of 71.8, placing it in the top third of Colorado's 64 counties. The county competes strongly for households seeking mountain living with solid economic fundamentals.

Tax Efficiency and Balanced Income Profile

Custer delivers a tax score of 92.1 with an effective rate of 0.362% and a respectable income score of 30.8 backed by a median household income of $72,700. A cost score of 78.2 with a median home value of $358,800 provides reasonable mountain-area housing affordability.

Moderate Housing Costs and Missing Data

Housing remains moderately expensive relative to income, with rent at $1,021/month eating into household budgets. Safety, health, school quality, and other community factors lack data, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.

Ideal for Middle-Class Mountain-Living Families

Custer County suits middle-income families and working professionals seeking mountain lifestyle without extreme housing costs or tax burden. The balanced score profile makes it appealing to those prioritizing outdoor recreation and community charm over urban amenities or maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.1Cost78.2SafetyComing SoonHealth77.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.8Risk96.1WaterComing Soon
🏛92.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡96.1
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 Custer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Rock County
Nebraska
79
Median income: $57,500
Bland County
Virginia
79
Median income: $61,375
Bear Lake County
Idaho
79.1
Median income: $67,304
Steele County
North Dakota
78.9
Median income: $80,313
Loving County
Texas
78.9
Median income: $51,087

Deep Dives

Custer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Custer County

via TaxByCounty

Custer's rate slightly below national median

Custer County's effective rate of 0.362% sits just below the national median of 0.370%, placing it near the 45th percentile. On a $358,800 median home, residents pay $1,300 annually—less than half the national median property tax of $2,690.

Below Colorado's state average

Custer's 0.362% rate falls below Colorado's 0.393% average, making it a relatively tax-friendly mountain county. The county's median tax of $1,300 runs below the state average of $1,560 despite moderate home values.

Mountain county with low burden

Custer's 0.362% rate ranks favorably against nearby Clear Creek County (0.377%) and Chaffee County (0.278%). Among Colorado's mountain counties, Custer offers a moderate tax environment.

Median home costs $1,300 yearly

On Custer's $358,800 median home, annual property taxes run approximately $1,300. Mortgage holders pay $1,367, while those without mortgages pay $1,271.

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 Custer County

via CostByCounty

Custer balances mountain living affordably

Custer County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% sits comfortably below the national average, offering reasonable housing costs for a scenic mountain location. With a median household income of $72,700 near the national average, the county delivers balanced affordability.

Among Colorado's most affordable mountain counties

Custer ranks among Colorado's most affordable counties with a 16.9% rent-to-income ratio, beating the state average of 20.2%. The median rent of $1,021 is $232 below Colorado's median, remarkable for a mountain community.

Custer undercuts Chaffee significantly

Custer's $1,021 median rent is $493 cheaper than Chaffee County and $209 less than Clear Creek, making it the most affordable mountain county in this region. Yet home values at $358,800 remain accessible for middle-income households.

Mountain living on moderate budgets

Custer renters spend just 16.9% of their $72,700 income on rent, leaving room for other mountain-lifestyle expenses and savings. Homeowners dedicate 12.8% of income to monthly costs, the best ratio for mountain homebuyers in this comparison.

Custer rewards mountain-town relocators

If you seek mountain scenery without mountain-price premium, Custer delivers—it's the most affordable of these three mountain counties for both renters and homeowners. This sweet spot attracts remote workers and outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing lifestyle over cost.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Custer County

via IncomeByCounty

Custer slightly trails national income pace

Custer County's median household income of $72,700 falls approximately $2,055 below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county performs solidly on a national basis, reflecting a healthy mix of mining heritage, tourism, and outdoor recreation employment.

Mid-range Colorado income profile

Custer County's $72,700 median household income ranks just slightly below Colorado's state average of $74,792, placing it in the solid middle tier among the state's 64 counties. Mountain tourism and mining legacy support moderate earning power.

Clear Creek's wealth shadow looms over Custer

Custer's $72,700 trails neighboring Clear Creek's dominant $96,667 by roughly $24,000, though it edges Chaffee County at $70,909. The income gap reflects Clear Creek's stronger mining and specialized economy versus Custer's tourism-reliance.

Custer's moderate housing pressures remain manageable

Custer residents spend 16.9% of their $72,700 median income on rent—a healthy ratio well under the 20% affordability benchmark. With median home values at $358,800, homeownership remains achievable for most households, though it requires disciplined saving.

Custer earners have solid wealth-building runway

Household income of $72,700 and moderate housing costs position Custer residents well for 401(k) contributions, IRA funding, and taxable investing. Consistent monthly investing in low-cost index funds can compound substantially over 20–30 year horizons.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Custer County

via HealthByCounty

Custer outpaces national life expectancy

At 79.2 years, Custer County residents live nearly a year longer than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With 14.0% reporting poor or fair health, the county's health profile exceeds most national benchmarks.

Above Colorado's health average

Custer County's 79.2-year life expectancy bests Colorado's 78.2-year state average, placing it in the state's upper tier for longevity. The 14.0% poor/fair health rate is among Colorado's lowest, indicating a relatively healthy population.

Mountain county health stronghold

Custer's 79.2-year life expectancy trails Clear Creek County (83.6 years) and Chaffee County (81.0 years), yet outperforms Delta County (76.0 years) and the struggling southern counties. The county maintains 90 mental health providers per 100K, supporting robust behavioral health access.

Strong coverage and modest access

Custer's 8.2% uninsured rate is below Colorado's 9.7% average, meaning nearly all residents have insurance security. Primary care provision at 20 per 100K is more limited, yet the county's good health outcomes suggest efficient, outcome-focused care delivery.

Keep Custer's coverage momentum

Custer's success reflects strong insurance uptake—nearly 92% of residents are covered. Check Colorado's marketplace to stay protected like your neighbors.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Custer County

via RiskByCounty

Custer County ranks among nation's safest

Custer's composite risk score of 3.91 places it in the very low category, making it one of the safest counties in America. Despite mountain terrain, the county faces minimal natural disaster risk.

Exceptionally low risk for Colorado

Custer's 3.91 score is well below Colorado's 40.67 state average, ranking it in the state's bottom tier for disaster exposure. Residents enjoy significantly lower risk than typical Coloradans.

Safest county in south-central mountains

Custer (3.91) rivals Cheyenne and Crowley as Colorado's safest counties, despite its mountain setting. Its isolation and sparse population reduce exposure compared to more developed neighboring counties.

Wildfire presents the main exposure

Custer's wildfire risk of 81.62 is its highest score, though still far below the county's minimal overall risk rating. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all remain negligible.

Basic homeowners coverage is typically sufficient

Standard policies cover your exposures effectively in this low-risk county. Review wildfire coverage for properties near forested areas and maintain basic defensible space as a simple precaution.

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.