countyscore
40.8
County Score
Property Tax 97.7Health 49.3Disaster Risk 48.7

County Report Card

About Delta County, Colorado

Below national average, needs attention

Delta County's composite score of 40.8 falls below the national median of 50.0 by 9.2 points, placing it in the 41st percentile nationally. The county faces more livability challenges than typical American counties, suggesting residents navigate notable trade-offs in daily life.

Bottom tier in Colorado performance

Delta scores 10.4 points below Colorado's state average of 51.2, ranking among the state's lowest-performing counties on overall livability. The county faces the most systemic challenges of this eight-county sample, with weakness concentrated in multiple critical areas.

Tax efficiency and risk management

Delta's strongest dimension is tax score (97.9) with an exceptionally low effective rate of 0.310%, among Colorado's best. The county also demonstrates reasonable risk management (48.7) and maintains some cost accessibility (29.7) despite challenges, with median home value of $318,000.

Safety, health, and schools are critical gaps

Delta faces severe challenges in safety (25.5), health (49.3), and school quality (17.5)—the lowest among these eight counties. With limited healthcare options, weak K-12 education, and public safety concerns, the county presents substantial barriers for families and health-conscious residents.

Only suitable for tax-focused early retirees

Delta County appeals narrowly to early retirees with substantial savings who prioritize ultra-low taxes over nearly all other factors. The county's serious deficits in safety, healthcare, and education make it unsuitable for working families, young adults, or anyone requiring robust public services—only those financially independent and willing to accept significant daily-life challenges should consider it.

2040608010097.731.725.549.317.527.548.710.336.7Tax97.7Cost31.7Safety25.5Health49.3Schools17.5Income27.5Risk48.7Water10.3Weather36.740.8/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Delta County DNA

Foverall

How Delta County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Delta County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (10.3/100), though Property Tax (97.7/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
97.7+45.7
Cost
31.7-16.3
Safety
25.5-29.5
Health
49.3
Schools
17.5-36.5
Income
27.5-23.5
Risk
48.7
Water
10.3-47.7
Weather
36.7-19.299999999999997
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$343,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,121/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$343,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,774/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Mesa County
Colorado
38.5
Montrose County
Colorado
42.8
Garfield County
Colorado
43.7
Gunnison County
Colorado
58.1
Ouray County
Colorado
65.9
Pitkin County
Colorado
57.6
San Miguel County
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64.4
Rio Blanco County
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64.6

Deep Dives

Delta County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Delta County

via CrimeByCounty

Delta County Aligns with National Safety

Delta County holds a safety score of 97.1, with a total crime rate of 1,834.9 per 100K. This remains safer than the national average of 2,385.5 incidents per 100K.

Mirroring the Colorado Average

The county's safety score of 97.1 and total crime rate of 1,834.9 almost perfectly match the Colorado state averages. Five reporting agencies provide a comprehensive look at the county's safety landscape.

High Activity Relative to Rural Neighbors

Delta County has more reported crime than nearby Custer County, which reports 1,269.2 per 100K. This higher rate likely reflects its larger population centers and more active reporting agencies.

Low Violence but High Property Crime

Violent crime is very low at 83.4 per 100K, far below the national 369.8. However, property crime is higher at 1,751.5, making it the primary concern for local residents.

Prioritize Property Protection Strategies

Since property crime drives the local rate, residents should utilize smart locks and camera systems. These tools are effective at deterring the theft and vandalism that characterize most local incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Delta County

via WeatherByCounty

Delta: Western Slope Valley Climate

At 50.2°F, Delta County is approximately 0.7 degrees below the U.S. median of 49.5°F, placing it squarely in the nation's middle-temperature tier. Its 13.4 inches of annual precipitation fall somewhat below the national median of 15.2 inches, creating a semi-arid valley climate. This western Colorado county reflects the transition between the Rockies and the arid Great Basin.

Delta: Moderate Climate on Western Slope

Delta County's 50.2°F average is 4.2 degrees above Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, ranking it among the warmer counties while still cooler than the eastern plains. Its 13.4 inches of precipitation fall below the state average of 16.0 inches, reflecting the western slope's drier climate. The county's location in the Palisade and Parachute valleys gives it a distinctive warm-arid character.

Warmest Valley on Western Slope

Delta County (50.2°F) is notably warmer than Montrose County to the south (49.1°F estimated) and significantly warmer than high-elevation counties like Ouray and San Juan to the south. Its 44 extreme heat days are fewer than the plains counties but more than mountain neighbors, reflecting its valley location. The county is cooler than Cheyenne and Crowley counties to the east but warmer than alpine zones.

Moderate Heat, Moderate Snow

Delta County experiences 44 days per year above 90°F—a moderate heat load—with July averaging 73.8°F and January dropping to 27.5°F. Annual snowfall totals 40.5 inches, moderate for western Colorado and concentrated in winter months from November through March. The summer-to-winter swing of 46 degrees demands versatile preparation.

Plan for Valley Sun and Winter Snow

Residents need functional air conditioning for 44 annual days above 90°F, plus adequate heating for winter lows around 27°F and 40.5 inches of seasonal snow. The valley's dry air (13.4 inches annual precipitation) requires attention to landscape irrigation and indoor humidification during winter heating. Outdoor recreation peaks in spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) when temperatures sit in the comfortable 60–70°F range; summer activities are best scheduled for early morning or evening.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Delta County

via SoilByCounty

Orchard-Friendly Western Soil

Specific pH and taxonomic records for Delta County are not currently provided in the dataset. As a premier agricultural hub, the soil likely matches or exceeds the state average pH of 7.29. These soils support some of the most productive fruit-growing operations in the Rockies.

Silty River Valley Textures

Sand and clay percentages are unrecorded, but the area is famous for its rich silty loams. These textures offer a perfect balance of moisture retention and root aeration for perennial crops. The soil workability is highly valued by the region's many commercial orchardists.

Proven Agricultural Success

While specific organic matter data is missing, the state average of 2.18% is likely a minimum baseline here. Available water capacity is also unmapped, but the success of local vineyards and orchards points to high fertility. Amending with organic compost further enhances this productive land.

Managed Irrigation Systems

Drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not currently specified for Delta County. Local agriculture relies on complex irrigation networks to manage the naturally well-draining valley soils. Effective water application is the secret to the county's high-quality produce.

Colorado's Fruit Basket

Enjoying a milder USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, this county is ideal for peaches, cherries, and grapes. The warmer climate and fertile valleys offer the best growing conditions in the state. Plant an orchard or a backyard garden to take advantage of this exceptional western slope environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Delta County

via LawnByCounty

Delta County: Colorado's Most Challenging Turf

Delta County has a lawn difficulty score of 29.3, making it the most challenging area in this group and well below the state average of 37.4. Even though you are in a warmer Zone 6b, the combination of aridity and soil conditions creates a tough environment. Keeping a green lawn here requires significantly more work than the national median of 50.0 suggests.

Managing Moderate Heat and Low Rainfall

You receive only 13.4 inches of annual precipitation, which is below the state average and far from the 30-50 inches lawns prefer. With 44 extreme heat days and 2,835 growing degree days, your grass will grow quickly but also dry out fast. The season starts early in May and extends into October, giving you a long period of active maintenance.

The Importance of Local Soil Testing

With no centralized soil data for Delta County, your first step should be a professional soil analysis. Many areas in this region deal with high alkalinity or heavy clay that can stunt grass growth and prevent water penetration. Identifying your soil's drainage class is vital to avoid wasting water during those 44 extreme heat days.

Surviving a Year-Long Drought Cycle

Delta County has been in drought for all 53 weeks of the past year, with 100% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. Even with a 6b hardiness zone, the constant moisture deficit is your biggest obstacle to a healthy lawn. Use deep-soaking irrigation methods to reach the roots and minimize water loss to evaporation.

Selecting Resilient Grass for 6b

In Zone 6b, you have the flexibility to grow heat-tolerant Tall Fescue or even some warm-season varieties like Buffalo grass. Your planting window opens on May 3rd, and you have until October 9th before the first frost hits. Given the 29.3 difficulty score, prioritize drought-tolerant species that can handle the persistent dry conditions of the Western Slope.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Delta County's county score?
Delta County, Colorado has a composite county score of 40.8 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 Delta County rank among counties in Colorado?
Delta County ranks #49 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 Delta County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Delta County is $1,068, with an effective tax rate of 0.31%. This earns Delta County a tax score of 97.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Delta County?
The median household income in Delta County, Colorado is $57,774 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Delta County earns an income score of 27.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Delta County, Colorado a good place to live?
Delta County scores 40.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #49 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Delta 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 Delta County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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