CountyScore

Douglas County

Colorado · CO

#61 in Colorado
61.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Colorado

Douglas scores above national median

Douglas County's composite score of 58.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. The county performs solidly on national livability benchmarks, though with room for improvement.

Below Colorado's competitive average

Douglas's score of 58.0 trails Colorado's state average of 71.8, positioning it in the lower-middle range of the state's counties. Colorado's other counties offer stronger overall livability profiles.

Highest incomes in the region

Douglas excels with an income score of 78.5 and median household income of $145,737, among the highest in the dataset. The county also maintains favorable tax efficiency with a score of 86.8 and effective rate of 0.550%.

Housing costs are severe affordability barrier

Douglas's cost score of just 31.2 reflects the highest housing costs in the dataset: median homes at $674,000 and gross rent at $2,095 monthly. These figures make Douglas inaccessible for average earners despite strong incomes.

For affluent families seeking suburban growth

Douglas County suits high-earning families who value premium incomes and can manage Colorado's steepest housing prices. The county offers upscale suburban living for those with substantial financial resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.8Cost31.2SafetyComing SoonHealth87.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome78.5Risk11.3WaterComing Soon
🏛86.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠31.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼78.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤87.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.3
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Forsyth County
Georgia
61.5
Median income: $138,000
Williamson County
Illinois
61.5
Median income: $65,521
Dimmit County
Texas
61.5
Median income: $33,409
Lamb County
Texas
61.5
Median income: $56,997
Palo Pinto County
Texas
61.5
Median income: $64,972

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas County taxes rank in top 25%

Douglas County's effective rate of 0.550% places it in the 75th percentile nationally, making it a high-tax county by American standards. Homeowners pay a median of $3,707 annually, the highest among Colorado's major counties, on a median home value of $674,000.

Douglas has Colorado's steepest tax rate

Douglas County's 0.550% effective rate is the highest in Colorado, exceeding the state average of 0.393% by 40%. The median tax of $3,707 is more than double Colorado's median of $1,560, reflecting the county's affluent, rapidly growing suburbs.

Douglas towers over nearby Denver suburbs

Douglas's 0.550% rate far exceeds neighboring Denver (0.443%), El Paso (0.411%), and Elbert (0.449%), making it Colorado's most expensive county for property taxes. This premium reflects Douglas's investment in schools and rapid suburban development.

Douglas homeowners pay $3,707 annually

On the median home value of $674,000, a typical Douglas County property owner pays approximately $3,707 in property taxes each year. Homeowners with mortgages pay $3,730; those without pay $3,630.

High-value Douglas properties warrant review

In high-growth counties like Douglas, assessment lags can benefit newer homeowners, but overassessment is still common on older properties. A professional assessment review or appeal can identify if your property is overvalued, potentially saving hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas County's high earners, low burden

Douglas County residents spend just 17.3% of income on rent—significantly better than national averages and among the most affordable in Colorado. With a median household income of $145,737 (nearly double the national average of $74,755), the county offers exceptional affordability for its residents.

Most affordable county in Colorado

Douglas County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in the state, well below Colorado's 20.2% average. This affluent suburb's combination of high incomes and relatively moderate rent burdens makes it the state's most affordable market.

Highest rents, highest incomes balance out

Douglas County's median rent of $2,095 is the highest among peer counties, yet its median household income of $145,737 dwarfs every neighbor. Elbert County ($129,477) comes closest, but Douglas residents have more cushion for housing costs.

Upper-income households dominate affordably

Renters pay $2,095 monthly while homeowners face $2,524 on a median home value of $674,000, but these costs represent just 17.3% and 20.8% of the $145,737 median income respectively. Douglas County households have the most financial flexibility of any county studied.

Perfect for high-earning relocators

If you're moving to Colorado with a six-figure income, Douglas County offers the state's most comfortable housing economics and growing suburban communities. Families and professionals earning $130,000+ will find exceptional affordability here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas leads the nation in income

Douglas County's median household income of $145,737 towers 95% above the U.S. median of $74,755, making it one of the nation's most affluent counties. This explosive earning power reflects suburban Denver's prosperity and influx of high-wage professionals.

Colorado's highest-earning county

Douglas County claims the top spot in Colorado with a median household income of $145,737, nearly double the state average of $74,792. No other Colorado county comes close to this level of household earning.

Douglas far exceeds surrounding areas

Douglas County's $145,737 dwarfs Denver's $91,681 and Elbert County's $129,477, establishing it as the undisputed income leader in the Front Range. Even Eagle County's mountain wealth of $103,174 pales in comparison.

Premium incomes support premium housing

Douglas County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among these counties—reflects exceptional housing affordability despite a $674,000 median home value. High household incomes comfortably support substantial home purchases and ownership costs.

Build generational wealth aggressively

With household income nearly double the national average, Douglas County residents possess unparalleled capacity for aggressive investing, college savings, and wealth transfer. Strategic financial planning can transform this earning advantage into multi-generational prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas County leads nation in longevity

Douglas County residents live to 82.5 years—3.6 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years—with the lowest poor or fair health rate at just 9.8%. This Denver suburb ranks among America's healthiest counties overall.

Colorado's healthiest county by far

Douglas County's 82.5-year life expectancy vastly exceeds Colorado's 78.2-year state average—a 4.3-year gap that places the county at the top of state rankings. Only 9.8% report poor or fair health, the best rate statewide.

Dramatically outpaces Denver and El Paso

Douglas County residents live 5.1 years longer than Denver (77.4) and 6.3 years longer than El Paso (76.2). Its 4.0% uninsured rate is less than half the uninsured rate in either neighboring urban county.

Affluent suburbs with solid healthcare access

Douglas County has 70 primary care providers per 100,000 and 197 mental health providers per 100K, reflecting robust suburban infrastructure. With just 4.0% uninsured—well below the state average of 9.7%—healthcare access remains strong across the county.

Maintain coverage for Douglas County families

Even in Colorado's healthiest county, periodic coverage reviews ensure continuous protection. Visit Connect for Health Colorado to confirm employer, marketplace, or Medicaid eligibility each year.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas County faces substantial multi-hazard risk

Douglas County scores 88.71 on composite disaster risk, rated Relatively Moderate—more than double Colorado's state average of 40.67. This reflects exposure across flood, wildfire, tornado, and earthquake hazards simultaneously.

Third-highest risk tier in Colorado

Douglas County ranks among the top most-threatened counties in Colorado, primarily due to rapid suburban growth in hazard-prone areas. Its location south of Denver puts it in a convergence zone for tornadoes, flooding, and wildfire.

High risk even among Front Range counties

Douglas's score of 88.71 closely matches El Paso (94.05) and exceeds Denver (95.23) in some hazard categories. It is substantially riskier than Elbert (36.58) and Fremont (68.58) to the south and west.

Wildfire and tornado threats dominate

Douglas residents face wildfire risk of 98.38 and tornado risk of 93.35—both near-critical levels. Flooding is also significant at 86.93, driven by drainage patterns in this rapidly developing county.

Invest in triple-layer protection

Douglas County homeowners should secure flood insurance, review wind/hail coverage, and maintain defensible space against wildfire. Given the county's explosive growth, verify that your insurance reflects current home value and replacement cost.

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.