countyscore
43.7
County Score
Property Tax 92Income & Jobs 91.2Health 65.1

County Report Card

About Garfield County, Colorado

Garfield falls short of national livability median

Garfield County's composite score of 43.7 sits below the national median of 50.0, indicating livability challenges relative to the broader United States. The county's profile is mixed, with reasonable incomes offset by safety, water, and other infrastructure concerns.

Below Colorado's average across most metrics

Garfield ranks below the state average composite score of 51.2, placing it in the bottom half of Colorado counties. Its rural economy and limited infrastructure investments contribute to this position.

Good income levels and favorable tax treatment

Garfield residents enjoy a median household income of $86,172 (income score: 89.4) with favorable tax conditions (0.427% effective rate, tax score: 92.3). Housing is moderately affordable, with median home values at $490,600 and gross rent at $1,515/month.

Water and safety infrastructure need investment

Garfield's weakest area is water infrastructure at just 16.2, reflecting serious constraints in delivery or availability in this arid western county. Safety (29.3), schools (37.9), and health (65.1) also score below optimal levels, suggesting underfunded or limited public services.

Suits those willing to trade services for space

Garfield appeals to independent-minded rural residents and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize space and lower housing costs over extensive public services. Urban-oriented families should look to more developed Colorado counties.

20406080100925.829.365.137.991.235.516.232.9Tax92Cost5.8Safety29.3Health65.1Schools37.9Income91.2Risk35.5Water16.2Weather32.943.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average6 below average

Garfield County DNA

Foverall

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

Garfield County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (91.2/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (5.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
92+40
Cost
5.8-42.2
Safety
29.3-25.7
Health
65.1+15.099999999999994
Schools
37.9-16.1
Income
91.2+40.2
Risk
35.5-11.5
Water
16.2-41.8
Weather
32.9-23.1
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Garfield County

Whether buying or refinancing in Garfield County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$527,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,637/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$527,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$65,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $91,131/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

25.8

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
Compare Garfield County with Neosho County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Neosho County
Kansas
Median income: $56,618
43.7
Oakland County
Michigan
Median income: $97,760
43.7
Isanti County
Minnesota
Median income: $87,440
43.7
Pontotoc County
Mississippi
Median income: $51,484
43.7
Love County
Oklahoma
Median income: $66,580
43.7
Polk County
Oregon
Median income: $85,118
43.7
Allegheny County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $78,548
43.7
Allendale County
South Carolina
Median income: $32,328
43.7

Nearby counties

Rio Blanco County
Colorado
64.6
Mesa County
Colorado
38.5
Delta County
Colorado
40.8
Pitkin County
Colorado
57.6
Moffat County
Colorado
43.8
Eagle County
Colorado
49.3
Routt County
Colorado
54.6
Gunnison County
Colorado
58.1

Deep Dives

Garfield County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Garfield County

via TaxByCounty

Garfield County taxes above U.S. norm

Garfield County's effective rate of 0.427% exceeds the national median of 0.381%, placing it in approximately the 60th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $2,095 falls short of the national median of $2,690, because Garfield's median home value of $490,600 sits below the U.S. average of $281,900.

Garfield ranks above Colorado average

With an effective rate of 0.427%, Garfield exceeds Colorado's state average of 0.393%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. The median tax of $2,095 significantly exceeds Colorado's median of $1,560, reflecting Garfield's position as a growing mountain-valley community.

Garfield sits between Eagle and Denver

Garfield's 0.427% rate falls between Eagle's 0.410% and Denver's 0.443%, positioning it competitively among mountain and urban counties. However, Garfield's tax burden is lower than nearby Douglas, Elbert, and other higher-rate counties in the region.

Garfield homeowners pay $2,095 yearly

On Garfield County's median home value of $490,600, the typical property owner pays approximately $2,095 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,206; those without pay $1,860.

Garfield homeowners should review assessments

In Garfield County's growing communities like Glenwood Springs and Rifle, property assessments may not always reflect accurate market comparables. Filing a free assessment appeal with Garfield County can ensure your tax is based on fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Garfield County

via IncomeByCounty

Garfield earns 15% above the nation

Garfield County's median household income of $86,172 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $11,417, reflecting the county's energy sector presence and tourism economy. Western Colorado's mid-sized economy generates above-average earnings.

Mid-tier earner in Colorado

Garfield County ranks in the middle range of Colorado's 64 counties with median household income of $86,172, exceeding the state average of $74,792 by $11,380. It outperforms rural peers but trails affluent suburban counties.

Garfield competitive with surrounding counties

Garfield's $86,172 income slightly trails El Paso County's $87,470 and Denver's $91,681 while substantially exceeding Dolores County's $70,490 and Fremont's $61,027. It holds ground as a solid middle-income mountain county.

Housing costs remain manageable

Garfield County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% indicates healthy housing affordability, despite a median home value of $490,600. The county balances reasonable housing costs with above-average incomes.

Build savings during stable economic times

With above-average income and moderate housing burdens, Garfield County residents should focus on establishing retirement accounts and investment portfolios. Consistent saving habits now can provide security against future economic volatility in energy-dependent sectors.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Garfield County

via CrimeByCounty

Consistent Safety for Garfield Residents

Garfield County earns a safety score of 97.3 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 1,694.1 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Strong Performance Within the State

The county's safety score of 97.3 slightly exceeds the Colorado average of 97.1. Seven different agencies report data to ensure comprehensive safety monitoring.

Lower Crime on the Western Slope

Garfield's crime rate of 1,694.1 is below the state average of 1,834.6 per 100K. It remains one of the more secure counties in western Colorado.

Understanding the Crime Mix

Property crime is the most frequent issue at 1,400.7 per 100K, while violent crime is 293.4. This breakdown is typical for a secure county with an active population.

Enhancing Residential Protection

Installing visible security cameras can deter property-related incidents. Neighbors watching out for one another helps keep Garfield County's safety score among the best in the state.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Garfield County

via WeatherByCounty

Garfield blends warmth with aridity

At 48.4°F annual temperature, Garfield County runs 2.4°F above the U.S. median of 46°F, placing it in a temperate semi-arid zone. With 15.8 inches of annual precipitation, the county receives less than half the national average of 38.7 inches, making it one of Colorado's drier regions.

Warmer and drier than Colorado average

Garfield County's 48.4°F annual temperature ranks it 2.4°F above Colorado's state average of 46.0°F. Its 15.8 inches of precipitation sits slightly below the state average of 16.0 inches, positioning it as one of the state's warmer, drier counties.

The warmest in the western region

Garfield County is notably warmer than nearby Eagle County (37.9°F) and Grand County (37.4°F) to the east due to lower elevation. It runs slightly warmer than Dolores County (47.1°F) to the south while maintaining similar precipitation levels across the western slope.

Hot summers, cold winters, extreme heat days

January dips to 24.8°F while July climbs to 72.3°F, with 44 days annually reaching 90°F or hotter—among Colorado's highest heat day counts. The county receives 46.5 inches of snowfall annually, creating a relatively light winter compared to higher-elevation neighbors.

Summer heat demands serious preparation

With 44 days annually exceeding 90°F, Garfield County residents must invest in high-efficiency air conditioning and shade structures for outdoor spaces. The 46.5 inches of annual snowfall requires basic winter maintenance, but summer heat management should be the primary climate consideration.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Garfield County

via SoilByCounty

Western Slope Soil Chemistry

Garfield County lacks specific local soil classification in this record, though it resides in a predominantly alkaline state. The Colorado average pH of 7.29 remains significantly higher than the 6.5 national median.

Texture Varies by Elevation

Sand, silt, and clay data are not provided for this specific area. The diverse terrain from river valleys to plateaus suggests that soil texture varies greatly across the county’s geography.

Building a More Fertile Foundation

We do not have local organic matter or water capacity figures for Garfield County. Targeting the state average of 2.18% organic matter through composting will help build a more fertile and resilient foundation.

Observing Site Hydrology

Data on dominant drainage classes and hydrologic groups is currently unavailable. Homeowners should observe water movement during snowmelt to understand how their specific site handles moisture.

Mountain Harvests in Zone 6a

Falling within hardiness zone 6a, Garfield County supports a wide range of crops from leafy greens to hardy perennials. Take advantage of the sunny days and cool nights to produce high-quality harvests.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Garfield County

via LawnByCounty

Garfield's Significant Lawn Challenges

Garfield County earns a difficulty score of 25.6, the most challenging in this group. Maintaining turf here is nearly twice as difficult as the national average, requiring a highly technical approach to lawn care.

Intense Heat and Dry Seasons

The county suffers from 44 extreme heat days per year and receives only 15.8 inches of rain. These conditions create a high-evaporation environment that can quickly brown out even the hardiest grass varieties.

Managing Unpredictable Soil

While specific soil stats are not available, the high difficulty score suggests the land may have drainage or nutrient issues. Aerating your lawn twice a year can help air and water reach the roots through compacted western soils.

The Reality of Persistent Drought

Garfield spent every week of the last year in drought, and 89.7% of the area is currently in severe drought. In these conditions, many homeowners find that reducing lawn size in favor of native plants is the most sustainable path.

Starting a Resilient Lawn

Focus on the most heat-tolerant zone 6a grasses, such as sheep fescue or specialized native mixes. Be ready to plant after May 13, but keep a close eye on local water restrictions before starting a new project.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Garfield County's county score?
Garfield County, Colorado has a composite county score of 43.7 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 Garfield County rank among counties in Colorado?
Garfield County ranks #44 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 Garfield County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Garfield County is $2,201, with an effective tax rate of 0.42%. This earns Garfield County a tax score of 92/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Garfield County?
The median household income in Garfield County, Colorado is $91,131 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Garfield County earns an income score of 91.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Garfield County, Colorado a good place to live?
Garfield County scores 43.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Garfield 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 Garfield 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.