CountyScore

Garfield County

Colorado · CO

#54 in Colorado
65.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Garfield County, Colorado

Garfield scores above the national median

Garfield County's composite score of 66.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. The county delivers solid livability performance against U.S. benchmarks.

Near Colorado state average

Garfield's score of 66.6 trails Colorado's average of 71.8 by a modest margin, ranking it in the middle range of state counties. The county performs competitively within Colorado's livability landscape.

Balanced tax efficiency and affordability

Garfield maintains a tax score of 90.3 with effective rate of 0.427%, and a cost score of 55.5 reflecting moderate housing values around $490,600. Median gross rent of $1,515 offers reasonable rental accessibility.

Income growth lags regional patterns

Garfield's income score of 39.6 reflects median household income of $86,172, below state and national averages. Safety, health, schools, and environmental dimensions lack data, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.

For families seeking balanced living

Garfield County appeals to working families and professionals seeking balanced livability with moderate housing costs and tax efficiency. The county offers accessible mountain-adjacent living for those prioritizing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.3Cost55.5SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.6Risk35.5WaterComing Soon
🏛90.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠55.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.5
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 Garfield County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Alexander County
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Christian County
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Washington County
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Median income: $75,652

Deep Dives

Garfield County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Garfield County

via CostByCounty

Western Colorado balance beats national norms

Garfield County residents spend 21.1% of income on rent, slightly above Colorado's state average of 20.2% but below national benchmarks. With a median household income of $86,172 (above the national average of $74,755) and median rent of $1,515, the county offers solid middle-ground affordability.

Balanced market in state middle tier

Garfield County's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio sits in Colorado's comfortable mid-range, above average but well below the most burdened counties. The Western Slope region offers good value relative to Front Range metros.

More affordable than metro peer counties

Garfield County's $1,515 median rent trails Denver ($1,770), Eagle County ($2,032), and Douglas County ($2,095), while residents earn competitively at $86,172. The Western Slope location delivers Front Range-adjacent wages with lower housing costs.

Energy sector supports reasonable affordability

Renters dedicate $1,515 monthly (21.1% of $86,172 income) while homeowners pay $1,647 (22.9%) on a $490,600 median home value. Garfield County's energy industry provides stable incomes that sustain local housing accessibility.

Western Slope value for $80,000+ earners

Relocate to Garfield County if you seek Western Slope lifestyle and outdoor access at competitive housing costs—the region suits energy workers, remote professionals, and those willing to trade Denver proximity for affordability. Strong outdoor recreation rivals mountain counties at lower prices.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Garfield County

via HealthByCounty

Garfield County matches national life expectancy

Garfield County residents live to 80.0 years, slightly above the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The 15.0% poor or fair health rate reflects moderate health challenges in this western Colorado county.

Slightly above state average in rural west

At 80.0 years, Garfield County's life expectancy edges above Colorado's 78.2-year state average by 1.8 years. The county performs near the middle of statewide rankings.

Outpaces Fremont, trails Dolores County

Garfield County residents live 4.5 years longer than Fremont County (75.5) but 1.5 years less than Dolores County (78.5). The 15.0% poor/fair health rate falls between rural peers, suggesting moderate but manageable health challenges.

Highest uninsured rate in analysis

Garfield County's 14.1% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties—nearly 50% above the state average of 9.7%—indicating significant access barriers. The county has 76 primary care providers and 290 mental health providers per 100K.

Garfield County needs affordable coverage

One in seven Garfield residents lacks health insurance—a crisis requiring immediate action. Visit Connect for Health Colorado or call 1-833-633-6636 to explore subsidized marketplace plans and Medicaid eligibility.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Garfield County

via RiskByCounty

Garfield County faces moderate disaster risk

Garfield County scores 64.54 on composite disaster risk, rated Relatively Low—above Colorado's state average of 40.67 but among the safer high-risk counties nationally. The score reflects western Colorado's mountain and canyon geography.

Lower-middle risk tier in Colorado

Garfield ranks in Colorado's safer half, exceeding only the two lowest-risk counties (Dolores and Elbert). Its northwest location and mixed terrain create moderate but manageable hazard exposure.

Safer than Eagle, comparable to Fremont

Garfield's score of 64.54 is lower than Eagle County (76.24) and slightly lower than Fremont (68.58). The county faces fewer hazards than any Front Range county, with minimal tornado threat.

Wildfire and flood are primary hazards

Garfield residents face wildfire risk of 90.97 and flood risk of 77.51, both significant in western Colorado's canyons and plateaus. Tornado risk is minimal at 9.19, while earthquake risk is moderate at 62.02.

Wildfire and flood insurance are essential

Garfield County homeowners should maintain defensible space and secure flood insurance for properties near the Colorado River and tributary canyons. Verify your standard policy covers wildfire damage and wind from severe weather.

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.