CountyScore

Gunnison County

Colorado · CO

#24 in Colorado
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Gunnison County, Colorado

Gunnison solidly exceeds national average

Gunnison's composite score of 71.8 beats the national median of 50.0 by nearly 22 points, ranking among top-performing U.S. counties. The score reflects balanced strengths across tax policy and cost-of-living metrics.

Right at Colorado's state average

Gunnison matches Colorado's state average composite score of 71.8 exactly, placing it squarely in the mainstream of the state's livable counties. This alignment suggests representative performance across the state's range.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability shine

Gunnison leads with a tax score of 94.3 (effective rate 0.282%) and cost score of 64.3, offering some of Colorado's most affordable housing at $597,200 median home value. Rents are equally competitive at $1,191 monthly, supporting housing accessibility.

Income and employment diversity limited

The income score of 33.9 reflects median household earnings of just $77,358, indicating limited high-wage opportunities or career diversity. Gunnison awaits comprehensive data on safety, health services, and educational quality.

Perfect for affordability-first Colorado migrants

Gunnison attracts budget-conscious families, young professionals, and retirees seeking Colorado living without premium price tags. The county's rare combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and college-town amenities makes it compelling for those willing to accept lower income levels.

Score breakdown

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

Tax94.3Cost64.3SafetyComing SoonHealth84.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.9Risk55WaterComing Soon
🏛94.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55
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 Gunnison County with another county →

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Sullivan County
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Bath County
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Deep Dives

Gunnison County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gunnison County

via TaxByCounty

Gunnison ranks low among national counties

Gunnison's 0.282% effective tax rate ranks roughly in the 20th percentile nationally, well below the 0.52% median. Gunnison homeowners enjoy substantially lower tax burdens than most Americans.

Gunnison sits just below Colorado's average

At 0.282%, Gunnison's rate is slightly below Colorado's 0.393% state average, placing it around the 35th percentile among the state's 64 counties. The county offers moderate tax relief compared to state norms.

Gunnison middle-ground in mountain region

Gunnison's 0.282% rate sits between Grand County (0.348%, higher) and Hinsdale County (0.293%, similar). All three neighboring counties maintain rates below the state average.

Median home: $1,683 annual property tax

With a median home value of $597,200—among the highest in Colorado's mountain counties—Gunnison homeowners pay approximately $1,683 per year in property taxes. That's $1,007 below the national median tax bill.

Mountain county appeals are worth investigating

Gunnison's robust real estate market means some properties may be assessed above recent sale prices, particularly in volatile mountain real estate. Many homeowners successfully appeal inflated assessments through the county's formal process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gunnison County

via CostByCounty

Gunnison combines low rent, solid income

Gunnison County renters spend just 18.5% of income on rent, beating the national affordability standard. Though median income ($77,358) is only modestly above the national median ($74,755), lower-than-average rents make housing comfortable for residents.

Colorado's rental bargain

Gunnison's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% ranks among Colorado's best, sitting below the state average of 20.2%. The county's median rent of $1,191 is also the lowest among nearby mountain counties.

Gunnison offers lowest rents

Gunnison's median rent of $1,191 undercuts both Grand County ($1,451) and Gilpin County ($1,340), making it a bargain for renters. However, median home values ($597,200) are the highest of the three, offsetting rental savings for would-be buyers.

Renters win; homeowners pay more

Gunnison renters spend $1,191 monthly—18.5% of $77,358 annual income—a favorable ratio. Homeowners, however, face $1,471 monthly costs (22.8% of income), making ownership more expensive than in neighboring counties.

Gunnison for renters and students

Gunnison's low rental costs make it ideal for renters or those working near university employment. If you're buying, compare its higher home values against neighboring counties to ensure the move makes economic sense.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gunnison County

via IncomeByCounty

Gunnison exceeds US income average

Gunnison County's median household income of $77,358 runs 3% ahead of the national median of $74,755. This modest advantage reflects the county's role as a regional employment hub anchored by Western State Colorado University.

Near Colorado's middle class median

Gunnison's $77,358 median household income sits slightly above Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks in the middle-to-upper tier of Colorado counties, bolstered by education, tourism, and outdoor recreation employment.

Solid middle ground in the region

Gunnison's $77,358 income falls between Gilpin County's $88,654 and Hinsdale County's $64,327, positioning it as a regional middle-income anchor. The university and Crested Butte ski resort drive steady employment and earnings growth.

Tight housing affordability squeeze

Gunnison's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% keeps housing costs manageable, but the median home value of $597,200 is steep for the county's income level. Households should budget carefully for homeownership, especially younger workers and families.

Leverage seasonal income patterns

Gunnison's tourism and recreation economy can create income volatility, making emergency savings especially important for stability. Build a six-month emergency fund and explore retirement accounts to smooth earnings across seasonal employment cycles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gunnison County

via HealthByCounty

Gunnison County outpaces national health

Gunnison residents live 82.9 years on average—4.6 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. Just 10.7% report poor or fair health, the best rate among these eight counties and a sign of genuine wellness advantage.

Second-best life expectancy in Colorado

At 82.9 years, Gunnison County beats Colorado's 78.2-year state average by 4.7 years and ranks near the top of all Colorado counties. The county's 10.7% poor/fair health rate is among the state's lowest, reflecting strong prevention and primary care.

Mountain rival to Grand County's dominance

Gunnison's 82.9-year life expectancy trails only Grand County (83.9 years) among nearby mountain communities and significantly outperforms lower-elevation peers like Huerfano (72.5 years). The county's 10.7% poor/fair health rate is the healthiest in this analysis.

Best provider access in the group

Gunnison leads with 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an outstanding 300 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest mental health capacity here. Just 6.9% of residents lack health insurance, well below Colorado's 9.7% average.

Maintain leadership on healthcare access

Gunnison's strong coverage rate and exceptional provider network show residents are prioritizing health security. Check Colorado's marketplace annually to ensure your plan still meets your needs and your family stays protected.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gunnison County

via RiskByCounty

Gunnison sits slightly above national average risk

With a composite risk score of 44.97, Gunnison County exceeds the national baseline and carries a "Relatively Low" rating. Its mountain terrain and wildland interface create above-average exposure to multiple hazards.

Mid-tier risk among Colorado counties

Gunnison's 44.97 score ranks it above Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it in the moderate-risk tier for the state. This reflects typical mountain county hazard patterns.

Similar risk to neighboring mountain counties

Gunnison's risk level closely mirrors nearby Grand County (50.19) and contrasts sharply with ultra-safe Hinsdale County (1.02). The variation demonstrates how geology and geography dramatically alter disaster exposure within close proximity.

Wildfire and flood drive Gunnison's risk

Wildfire risk (70.20) and flood risk (57.03) are Gunnison's primary hazards, reflecting the county's river valleys and forested slopes. Tornado risk is minimal (6.17), while earthquake risk (41.19) remains moderate.

Secure wildfire and flood insurance now

Gunnison residents should verify wildfire and flood coverage separately from standard homeowner policies, as most exclude these perils. Properties near rivers or in forest zones face compounded risk and warrant comprehensive coverage.

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.