Fremont County

Colorado · CO

#41 in Colorado
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Fremont County, Colorado

Fremont is a national livability leader

Fremont County's composite score of 75.4 far exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. The county ranks among the top quarter of U.S. counties on livability measures.

Top performer in Colorado

Fremont's score of 75.4 exceeds Colorado's state average of 71.8, positioning it among the state's best-performing counties. Fremont consistently delivers above-average livability for Colorado residents.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Fremont leads with the highest cost score of 76.3, featuring the lowest median home value at $282,100 and lowest gross rent at $1,036 monthly. The tax score of 91.5 with effective rate of 0.383% makes it the most tax-efficient county in the dataset.

Low incomes reflect local economic constraints

Fremont's income score of 23.2 reflects the lowest median household income at $61,027, indicating limited earnings potential. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Fremont County suits retirees, remote professionals, and anyone prioritizing ultra-low living costs and minimal tax burden. The county offers exceptional affordability for those with fixed or location-independent income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.5Cost76.3SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.2Risk31.4WaterComing Soon
🏛91.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠76.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
31.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Fremont County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fremont County

via TaxByCounty

Fremont taxes near U.S. average

Fremont County's effective rate of 0.383% sits just below the national median of 0.381%, placing it close to middle-of-the-road nationally. The median annual tax of $1,081 is well below the national median of $2,690, because Fremont's median home value of $282,100 aligns closely with the U.S. average.

Fremont ranks among Colorado's lowest rates

At 0.383%, Fremont's effective rate is just slightly below Colorado's state average of 0.393%, placing it near the bottom tier of the state's 64 counties. The median tax of $1,081 is significantly below Colorado's median of $1,560, making Fremont one of the state's most affordable counties.

Fremont undercuts all nearby counties

Fremont's 0.383% rate is the lowest in its region, beating Garfield (0.427%), El Paso (0.411%), Elbert (0.449%), and Douglas (0.550%). This tax advantage makes Fremont attractive to budget-conscious homebuyers in the western Front Range.

Fremont homeowners pay $1,081 annually

On Fremont County's median home value of $282,100, the typical property owner pays approximately $1,081 in property taxes per year. This modest burden reflects Fremont's rural character and modest property valuations around Cañon City and the surrounding areas.

Rural Fremont homeowners can still appeal

Even in low-tax rural counties, some assessments may be inflated relative to recent comparable sales. A free appeal with Fremont County's assessor can verify that your property is fairly valued compared to similar homes in your area.

Cost of Living in Fremont County

via CostByCounty

Fremont County's affordable frontier living

Fremont County residents spend 20.4% of income on rent—nearly matching Colorado's state average of 20.2% and well below many national benchmarks. With a modest median household income of $61,027 (below the national average of $74,755), the county offers rare affordability for lower-income households.

Most affordable for working families

Fremont County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Colorado's state average, but its median rent of $1,036 is the lowest among all peer counties. The region serves working Coloradans priced out of metro areas.

Cheapest rents in entire study

Fremont County's $1,036 median rent is 41% below Denver ($1,770) and 49% below Eagle County ($2,032), making it the most affordable renting market analyzed. For households earning under $65,000, Fremont offers unmatched accessibility.

Lowest-income county, still manageable

Renters pay $1,036 monthly (20.4% of $61,027 income) while homeowners spend $873 (17.2%) on a $282,100 median home value. Fremont County proves that affordable housing exists for working Coloradans outside booming metros.

Essential market for budget relocators

If you're relocating to Colorado with household income under $70,000, Fremont County is your most accessible option—the only county where both renting and owning remain genuinely affordable. Trades proximity to Denver for unmatched housing accessibility.

Income & Jobs in Fremont County

via IncomeByCounty

Fremont earns 18% below the nation

Fremont County's median household income of $61,027 falls $13,728 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the nation's lower-earning counties. Rural Colorado's economic challenges significantly constrain household earnings.

Lowest-earning county in this dataset

Fremont County ranks at the bottom of these eight counties with a median household income of $61,027, more than $13,000 below Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county faces steeper economic headwinds than peers.

Fremont struggles relative to regional peers

Fremont's $61,027 median income trails all comparison counties, with the nearest peer—Dolores County—earning $9,463 more at $70,490. Rural southern Colorado counties face similar challenges in retaining higher-wage industries.

Limited income constrains housing choices

Fremont County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% appears manageable, but only because median home values of $282,100 remain modest. Lower incomes restrict residents' ability to purchase homes or invest in appreciating assets.

Focus on foundational financial security

Fremont residents with below-average household income should prioritize building emergency savings and exploring career advancement or skills training to boost earning potential. Even modest income growth can unlock meaningful wealth-building opportunities.

Health in Fremont County

via HealthByCounty

Fremont County faces nation's health challenges

At 75.5 years, Fremont County has the lowest life expectancy in this analysis—3.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The 17.4% poor or fair health rate ranks among Colorado's worst, signaling concentrated health disadvantage.

Colorado's unhealthiest county

Fremont County's 75.5-year life expectancy is the lowest in Colorado, trailing the state average of 78.2 by 2.7 years. The county faces acute health disparities requiring targeted intervention.

Worst outcomes in rural southwest region

Fremont County residents live 4.2 years less than Dolores County (78.5) and 4.5 years less than Garfield County (80.0). Its 17.4% poor/fair health rate dramatically exceeds nearby counties, reflecting concentrated socioeconomic stress.

Limited primary care, emerging mental health services

Fremont County has 46 primary care providers per 100K and 394 mental health providers per 100K, suggesting recent investment in behavioral health. With 8.7% uninsured—above the state average of 9.7%—healthcare access remains a barrier for many residents.

Fremont County: coverage critical to health

Nearly one in 11 Fremont residents lacks insurance in Colorado's unhealthiest county. Contact the Fremont County Department of Human Services or visit Connect for Health Colorado to secure Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center access.

Disaster Risk in Fremont County

via RiskByCounty

Fremont County carries moderate disaster risk

Fremont County scores 68.58 on composite disaster risk, rated Relatively Low—above Colorado's state average of 40.67 but lower than the highest-risk counties. The score reflects mountain terrain hazards and moderate population exposure.

Mid-tier risk profile in Colorado

Fremont ranks in Colorado's moderate-risk zone, safer than Front Range counties but more exposed than the state's lowest-risk areas. The county's south-central location and elevation create specific wildfire and flood vulnerabilities.

Riskier than some mountain counties

Fremont's score of 68.58 exceeds Garfield (64.54) slightly but falls below Eagle (76.24). It is substantially safer than Front Range neighbors Douglas and El Paso.

Wildfire and flood pose twin threats

Fremont residents face wildfire risk of 94.18 and flood risk of 80.22, both significant in this mountainous county. Tornado and earthquake risks are much lower at 31.17 and 41.22 respectively.

Prioritize water and wildfire coverage

Fremont County homeowners should secure flood insurance for canyon-floor and creek-adjacent properties and maintain defensible space against wildfire. Ensure your standard policy covers wind and hail damage from severe storms.

ByCounty Network

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