CountyScore

Delta County

Colorado · CO

#38 in Colorado
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Delta County, Colorado

Delta Ranks Solidly Above National Livability Median

Delta County's composite score of 75.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 50%, positioning it among America's better-performing counties. The strength comes from exceptional tax breaks and reasonable housing costs, though limited income and missing service data provide only a partial livability picture.

Competitive Mid-to-Upper Colorado Ranking

At 75.1, Delta matches Crowley County and ranks above Colorado's state average of 71.8, placing it in the upper half of Colorado's 64 counties. The county appeals to those seeking mountain living with balanced fundamentals.

Exceptional Tax Efficiency and Solid Affordability

Delta excels with a tax score of 93.5 and the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.310%, paired with a cost score of 74.6. A median home value of $318,000 and rent at $1,080/month remain reasonable for a scenic Western Slope county.

Modest Income Levels and Incomplete Community Data

The income score of 21.5 reflects a median household income of $58,330, which lags state and national medians and may strain families with substantial expenses. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable for informed decision-making.

Perfect for Tax-Aware Retirees and Remote Workers

Delta County suits retirees, remote professionals, and single-income households who value exceptional tax efficiency and scenic Western Slope living over high local income potential. The county rewards those with income independence and low-cost living priorities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93.5Cost74.6SafetyComing SoonHealth67.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.5Risk48.7WaterComing Soon
🏛93.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.7
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 Delta County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Delta County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Delta County

via TaxByCounty

Delta's tax rate well below national median

Delta County's effective rate of 0.310% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.370%, placing it in roughly the 30th percentile. On a $318,000 median home, residents pay $986 annually—less than 37% of the national median property tax of $2,690.

Colorado's lowest-tax counties

Delta's 0.310% rate ranks among Colorado's lowest, sitting well below the state average of 0.393%. The county's median tax of $986 falls below the state average of $1,560, offering a relatively light burden for western slope residents.

Western slope advantage

Delta's 0.310% rate matches Costilla County's and ranks favorably among western slope counties. This western Colorado county provides one of the state's most tax-friendly property environments.

Median home costs $986 yearly

On Delta's $318,000 median home, annual property taxes run approximately $986. Mortgage holders pay $1,014, while those without mortgages pay $950.

Appeal if overassessed

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 Delta County

via CostByCounty

Delta offers solid mid-range affordability

Delta County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.2% slightly exceeds the national average, though the county's median income of $58,330 falls below the national median. This western slope county presents moderate affordability challenges for middle-income households.

Above state average but manageable

Delta's 22.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Colorado's state average of 20.2%, placing it in the less affordable tier of counties. The median rent of $1,080 exceeds Colorado's median by $173, reflecting growing demand in the region.

Western slope pricing takes the middle

Delta's $1,080 median rent falls between rural eastern counties (Cheyenne, Conejos at ~$850) and mountain counties (Chaffee at $1,514), reflecting its position as a growing western slope center. Home values at $318,000 remain more moderate than mountain counterparts.

Rent claims over one-fifth of income

On a median household income of $58,330, Delta renters spend $1,080 monthly—22.2% of earnings—reflecting tight but manageable budgets. Homeowners dedicate 19.1% of income to monthly costs, making ownership competitive with renting.

Delta suits remote-work relocators

This growing western slope county balances reasonable housing costs ($1,080 rent, $318,000 home values) with small-town amenities and outdoor access. Delta works well for remote workers and families seeking affordable Colorado living outside mountain resort areas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Delta County

via IncomeByCounty

Delta trails national income by meaningful margin

Delta County's median household income of $58,330 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by approximately $16,425—a 22% shortfall. The gap reflects Delta's reliance on agriculture, small manufacturing, and limited professional services employment.

Below-average income for Colorado

Delta County's $58,330 median household income runs nearly $16,500 below Colorado's state average of $74,792, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Colorado's 64 counties. Agricultural employment and modest manufacturing define the county's modest income profile.

Delta underperforms mountain corridor peers

Delta's $58,330 income significantly trails Clear Creek ($96,667), Chaffee ($70,909), and Custer ($72,700)—all mountain counties with stronger tourism or mining bases. Delta's western slope location and agricultural focus limit earning opportunities compared to the central mountains.

Moderate housing costs ease Delta affordability

Delta residents dedicate 22.2% of median household income to rent—slightly elevated but still manageable—with median home values at $318,000. Housing remains reasonably priced relative to the state, easing the burden on the $58,330 median income.

Delta families should prioritize consistent investing

Households earning $58,330 can build wealth by automating monthly investments into employer 401(k)s and Roth IRAs, even at modest contribution levels. Starting early with disciplined, consistent investing—regardless of current income—creates substantial long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Delta County

via HealthByCounty

Delta's health lags U.S. average

At 76.0 years, Delta County residents live 2.3 years less than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With 17.9% reporting poor or fair health, the county experiences above-average health challenges.

Below Colorado's health benchmark

Delta County's 76.0-year life expectancy falls 2.2 years short of Colorado's 78.2-year average, placing it in the state's lower half. The 17.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds most Colorado counties, signaling concentrated health stress.

Western slope struggles

Delta's 76.0-year life expectancy exceeds the rural southeast counties but trails mountain regions like Chaffee (81.0 years) and Clear Creek (83.6 years). The county maintains stronger provider capacity than isolated counties—63 primary care and 227 mental health providers per 100K—yet health outcomes remain below state average.

Highest uninsured rate in dataset

Delta County's 12.0% uninsured rate is the highest among the eight counties and significantly above Colorado's 9.7% average. Despite having more providers than rural counties, one in eight residents lack insurance coverage, limiting their care access.

Uninsured rate demands action

Delta's high uninsured rate means families are at risk—you could be next. Visit Colorado's health marketplace now to find affordable coverage and protect your household.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Delta County

via RiskByCounty

Delta County's composite risk exceeds national average

Delta scores 51.27 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively low category but above the nation's typical exposure. The western Colorado county faces a meaningful combination of multiple natural hazards.

Above Colorado's average on all fronts

Delta's 51.27 composite score significantly exceeds Colorado's 40.67 state average, ranking it in the upper half of the state's 64 counties. The county faces greater-than-typical hazard exposure for Colorado.

Highest-risk county in western Colorado region

Delta (51.27) has similar composite risk to Chaffee County (51.11) but notably higher earthquake risk at 68.29. Both western counties face substantially more hazard exposure than safer surrounding areas.

Earthquake, wildfire, and flood create triple threat

Delta's earthquake risk of 68.29, wildfire risk of 86.74, and flood risk of 69.59 all rank among the highest in Colorado. These three hazards account for the county's elevated overall risk profile.

Multi-hazard insurance strategy is essential

Secure separate flood insurance immediately—standard homeowners policies exclude it, yet your flood risk is 69.59. Verify wildfire and earthquake coverage, and consider seismic retrofits for older structures in this higher-risk county.

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.