Jackson's composite score of 74.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 24 points, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects particular strength in tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs.
2 / 5
Above average for Colorado counties
Jackson ranks above Colorado's state average with a score of 74.0 versus 71.8, standing among the state's more livable counties. Its tax advantages differentiate it from state peers.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and solid housing value
Jackson boasts Colorado's lowest effective tax rate at 0.205%, earning a remarkable tax score of 96.5—the highest among these eight counties. A cost score of 73.0 reflects median home values of $250,000, among the state's most affordable.
4 / 5
Severe income limitations and wage stagnation
Jackson's income score of 10.7 with median household earnings of just $41,809 represents the lowest income level across all eight counties, signaling severe employment constraints. Rent at $1,484 monthly appears disproportionately high relative to wages, and critical livability data on safety and health remains unavailable.
5 / 5
Suited for ultra-low-income or self-sufficient households
Jackson appeals primarily to retirees, remote workers, or those with substantial outside income seeking extreme tax advantages. The county's severe income limitations make it challenging for wage earners, though exceptional tax efficiency provides powerful savings for the self-sufficient.
Jackson's composite score of 74.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 24 points, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects particular strength in tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs.
Above average for Colorado counties
Jackson ranks above Colorado's state average with a score of 74.0 versus 71.8, standing among the state's more livable counties. Its tax advantages differentiate it from state peers.
Lowest taxes and solid housing value
Jackson boasts Colorado's lowest effective tax rate at 0.205%, earning a remarkable tax score of 96.5—the highest among these eight counties. A cost score of 73.0 reflects median home values of $250,000, among the state's most affordable.
Severe income limitations and wage stagnation
Jackson's income score of 10.7 with median household earnings of just $41,809 represents the lowest income level across all eight counties, signaling severe employment constraints. Rent at $1,484 monthly appears disproportionately high relative to wages, and critical livability data on safety and health remains unavailable.
Suited for ultra-low-income or self-sufficient households
Jackson appeals primarily to retirees, remote workers, or those with substantial outside income seeking extreme tax advantages. The county's severe income limitations make it challenging for wage earners, though exceptional tax efficiency provides powerful savings for the self-sufficient.
Score breakdown
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🏛96.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.205%, Jackson's effective tax rate ranks in the very bottom percentile nationally, placing it among America's most tax-favorable counties. Jackson homeowners pay less in property taxes than nearly any other county in the U.S.
Jackson: Colorado's second-lowest tax county
Jackson's 0.205% rate ranks as Colorado's second-lowest among 64 counties, edged only by a handful of other rural mountain communities. The county offers exceptional property tax relief compared to statewide averages.
Jackson beats all surrounding mountain counties
Jackson's 0.205% rate significantly undercuts Gilpin (0.23%), Grand (0.348%), and Gunnison (0.282%). Jackson stands alone as the tax-friendliest county in Colorado's north-central mountain region.
Median home: $513 annual property tax
With a median home value of $250,000, Jackson homeowners pay approximately $513 per year in property taxes. That's less than $43 monthly—among the lowest property tax bills in Colorado.
Even minimal bills warrant assessment checks
Jackson's low overall tax burden doesn't guarantee individual assessments are accurate—some properties may still be overvalued relative to comparables. A quick appeal review costs nothing and could reduce even these modest tax bills further.
Jackson County residents spend a shocking 42.6% of income on rent—nearly double the national affordability threshold. With a median income of just $41,809 (44% below the national median) and median rents of $1,484, Jackson faces a severe housing affordability crisis.
Colorado's least affordable county
Jackson's rent-to-income ratio of 42.6% is catastrophically above Colorado's 20.2% state average, making it by far the state's least affordable county. This extreme gap signals a fundamental mismatch between local incomes and housing costs.
Jackson's rents tower over region
Jackson's median rent of $1,484 is comparable to Grand County ($1,451), but Jackson's median income ($41,809) is a fraction of Grand's ($84,558). This deadly combination makes Jackson's affordability crisis unique in the region.
Housing swallows most income
Jackson renters spend $1,484 monthly—42.6% of a $41,809 annual income—leaving minimal funds for food, healthcare, and transportation. Even homeowners at $531/month face tight budgets; the real crisis is renters trapped in an unaffordable market.
Avoid Jackson unless high-earning
Jackson County is unaffordable for those dependent on local wages; renters spend over 40% of income on housing. If you're considering a move here, ensure your income significantly exceeds the local median or you'll face genuine hardship.
Jackson County's median household income of $41,809 plummets 44% below the national median of $74,755. This dramatic shortfall places Jackson among the lowest-income counties in the United States, reflecting severe economic distress in this remote north-central county.
Colorado's lowest-income county
Jackson County's median household income of $41,809 is a staggering $32,983 below Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks dead last among Colorado counties, with median income less than 56% of the state norm.
Economic outlier in region
Jackson's $41,809 median is dwarfed by all nearby counties—even Kiowa County ($56,389) and Huerfano County ($52,139) earn substantially more. Jackson faces unique economic barriers that have devastated household earning power.
Housing crisis with crisis income
Jackson's rent-to-income ratio of 42.6% is catastrophic, meaning renters dedicate nearly half their earnings to housing alone. This exceeds the 30% affordability threshold by 42%, creating severe housing cost burden for most residents.
Seek economic opportunity outside
Jackson residents face structural economic challenges requiring bold action—remote work, relocation, or regional employment centers offer escape paths. Emergency financial assistance and workforce development programs should be first priorities for households in crisis.
Jackson County's life expectancy isn't available, limiting direct national comparison, but its 19.5% poor/fair health rate is the worst among these eight counties—nearly 2.5 times the national average. The 17.1% uninsured rate is also among the highest, suggesting significant access barriers.
Highest uninsured rate in analysis
Jackson County's 17.1% uninsured rate far exceeds Colorado's 9.7% state average, and its 19.5% poor/fair health rate signals acute wellness challenges. Without life expectancy data, the full health picture is incomplete, but these indicators suggest Jackson faces the state's most pressing healthcare access crisis.
Struggling with coverage and health outcomes
Jackson's 19.5% poor/fair health rate matches only Kiowa County in severity and far exceeds mountain peers like Grand (12.1%) and Gunnison (10.7%). The 17.1% uninsured rate dwarfs neighboring counties, indicating Jackson's unique and urgent coverage challenge.
Strong mental health access amid access gaps
Jackson County offers 73 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an exceptional 382 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest mental health capacity in this group. Despite this provider strength, 17.1% of residents remain uninsured, suggesting affordability or awareness barriers.
Jackson families must prioritize coverage now
With 17.1% of residents uninsured, Jackson County faces a coverage crisis that demands immediate action. Contact Colorado's Division of Insurance, call 2-1-1, or visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid expansion, marketplace subsidies, and emergency care options.
With a composite risk score of 11.77, Jackson County sits well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" risk rating. This makes it one of the country's safest counties for natural disasters.
Colorado's third-safest county
Jackson's 11.77 score ranks it among Colorado's safest counties, far below the state average of 40.67. Only Hinsdale (1.02) and Kiowa (3.79) exceed its safety profile.
Safer than all surrounding counties
Jackson's 11.77 score significantly undercuts nearby Grand County (50.19) and Gunnison County (44.97), reflecting its lower elevation and drier character. Its isolated location in the state's northeast contributes to hazard protection.
Wildfire and earthquake pose minor risks
Wildfire risk (23.98) and earthquake risk (18.07) are Jackson's primary hazards, yet both remain well below regional and national averages. Tornado (3.37) and flood (5.82) risks are minimal.
Basic coverage provides solid protection
Jackson County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowner insurance typically covers your needs adequately. Still, review wildfire coverage to ensure your policy extends to this lower-risk but present hazard.