countyscore
39.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 97.1Health 88.2Property Tax 85.5

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Colorado

Jefferson lags national livability standard

Jefferson County's composite score of 40.0 falls well below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 15th percentile nationally. This below-average ranking is surprising for such a major metropolitan area and reflects significant trade-offs in livability dimensions.

Below average despite metro status

Jefferson scores 40.0 compared to Colorado's state average of 51.2, ranking it in the lower portion of the state's counties. This poor showing for a major Denver suburb reflects acute housing affordability and safety challenges that offset strong income metrics.

High incomes and strong health outcomes

Jefferson's income score of 96.9 with median household income of $107,800 reflects the county's affluent, highly educated population. The health score of 88.2 indicates strong healthcare access and outcomes typical of a developed metropolitan area.

Severe housing costs and safety concerns

Jefferson's cost score of 2.9 represents a critical challenge, with median home values of $604,400 and gross rent at $1,792/month—among the nation's highest. The safety score of 8.5 and risk score of 5.1 raise urgent concerns about crime and disaster resilience that overshadow the county's economic strengths.

For wealthy professionals accepting trade-offs

Jefferson County suits high-income professionals and executives who can afford premium housing and accept significant safety and disaster risk in exchange for excellent incomes and healthcare. The county's livability is heavily dependent on personal wealth and risk tolerance rather than balanced community fundamentals.

2040608010085.52.98.588.221.797.15.15443.8Tax85.5Cost2.9Safety8.5Health88.2Schools21.7Income97.1Risk5.1Water54Weather43.839.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Jefferson County DNA

Foverall

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

Jefferson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (97.1/100) but notably weak in Safety (8.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
85.5+33.5
Cost
2.9-45.1
Safety
8.5-46.5
Health
88.2+38.2
Schools
21.7-32.3
Income
97.1+46.099999999999994
Risk
5.1-41.9
Water
54
Weather
43.8-12.200000000000003
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Jefferson County

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

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$637,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,861/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$637,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$74,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $110,656/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.7

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 Jefferson County with Union County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Union County
Arkansas
Median income: $55,259
39.6
Trumbull County
Ohio
Median income: $56,435
39.6
Grady County
Oklahoma
Median income: $75,419
39.6
Galax city
Virginia
Median income: $38,675
39.6
Navajo County
Arizona
Median income: $54,606
39.7
Wicomico County
Maryland
Median income: $76,210
39.5
Eaton County
Michigan
Median income: $79,597
39.5
Boone County
Missouri
Median income: $72,758
39.7

Nearby counties

Denver County
Colorado
33.6
Douglas County
Colorado
47.4
Broomfield County
Colorado
45.3
Boulder County
Colorado
43.1
Gilpin County
Colorado
47.5
Clear Creek County
Colorado
49.2
Arapahoe County
Colorado
42.8
Adams County
Colorado
29.9

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson County taxes exceed national average

At 0.474%, Jefferson's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.52% but sits in a middle-upper range at roughly the 65th percentile. Jefferson homeowners pay more in property taxes than most Americans relative to their homes' values.

Jefferson ranks among Colorado's highest taxed

Jefferson's 0.474% rate is the highest among Colorado's counties examined here and well above the state average of 0.393%, placing it around the 75th percentile statewide. Jefferson residents bear significantly heavier tax burdens than typical Colorado homeowners.

Jefferson's rate far exceeds mountain neighbors

Jefferson's 0.474% rate dwarfs Gilpin (0.23%), Grand (0.348%), and Gunnison (0.282%), reflecting Jefferson's more densely developed suburban/urban character versus rural mountain counties. The metro Denver county maintains the highest effective rate in this comparison group.

Median home: $2,867 annual property tax

With a median home value of $604,400, Jefferson County homeowners pay approximately $2,867 per year in property taxes. That's $177 above the national median tax bill despite homes being worth more than double the U.S. average.

Jefferson homeowners should appeal systematically

Large counties like Jefferson often miss assessment overvaluation issues across thousands of properties, making appeals especially worthwhile. With tax bills exceeding $2,800 annually, even modest percentage reductions yield significant savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson dominates nation's income

Jefferson County's median household income of $107,800 towers 44% above the national median of $74,755. This commanding advantage places Jefferson among the most affluent counties in the United States, reflecting the county's strong role as a Denver metro employment hub.

Colorado's wealthiest county

Jefferson County's median household income of $107,800 is $33,008 above Colorado's state average of $74,792, making it the highest-earning county in the state. The county's proximity to Denver and concentration of tech, aerospace, and professional services jobs drive superior earnings.

Outearning all Colorado rivals

Jefferson's $107,800 median dramatically exceeds every other county profiled—nearly $19,000 more than Gilpin County's $88,654. The county's metropolitan position and economic diversity create unmatched earning power across Colorado.

Wealth in balance with costs

Jefferson's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% keeps housing costs at a comfortable level despite the median home value of $604,400. Strong incomes fully support high housing costs while leaving room for savings and investments.

Strategic wealth building opportunity

Jefferson County households should maximize wealth-building strategies including maxed retirement accounts, diversified investments, and real estate portfolios. The county's high income levels create unique capacity for long-term financial independence planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jefferson County

via CrimeByCounty

Urban Challenges Influence Jefferson's Safety

Jefferson County has a total crime rate of 2,917.8 per 100,000, which exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, it maintains a safety score of 95.4 out of 100. Eleven reporting agencies work across the county to manage public safety for its large population.

Jefferson Trails State Safety Averages

The county's safety score of 95.4 falls below the Colorado average of 97.1. Its total crime rate of 2,917.8 is also higher than the state average of 1,834.6. As a major metropolitan area, these figures reflect the complexities of urban and suburban crime trends.

Comparing Crime in the Denver Metro

Jefferson County faces higher property crime rates than its more rural neighbors in the mountains. Its property crime rate of 2,587.9 is higher than the national average of 2,015.7. This makes it a high-activity area for law enforcement compared to central Colorado.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime accounts for 2,587.9 incidents per 100,000, making it the primary concern for residents. Violent crime, at 329.9, remains slightly below the national average of 369.8. This suggests that while personal safety is generally stable, property theft is more frequent.

Prioritize Your Property Security

With property crime rates exceeding national norms, residents should invest in robust home security systems. Use high-quality cameras and secure all sliding glass doors and windows. Active community involvement in local crime prevention programs can help drive these numbers down.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jefferson County

via WeatherByCounty

Jefferson runs 14° cooler than U.S. median

Jefferson County's 47.7°F annual temperature sits 14 degrees below the U.S. median of 61.7°F, reflecting its high-elevation location near Denver's western foothills. Its 19.8 inches of annual precipitation exceed both the state average (16.0 inches) and national average (15.2 inches), making it Colorado's wetter mountain region.

Slightly above Colorado's average

At 47.7°F, Jefferson County runs 1.7 degrees above Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, ranking it in the warmer half of the state's 64 counties. Its 21 extreme heat days annually place it solidly above mountain peers but well below the eastern plains.

Mountain buffer between highlands and plains

Jefferson (47.7°F) sits warmer than the extreme-cold Gunnison and Jackson counties but cooler than the plains-influenced Kiowa and Kit Carson counties to the east. At 21 extreme heat days, Jefferson experiences notably more hot weather than alpine neighbors but far less than eastern counties.

Moderate winters, warm summers, occasional extremes

January averages 30.5°F and July reaches 69.4°F, creating a 39-degree swing with 21 days above 90°F annually. Jefferson receives 95.9 inches of snow yearly, requiring serious winter infrastructure but far less than high-mountain counties.

Balance mountain snow with summer cooling needs

Jefferson residents need reliable heating for winter snowpack (95.9 inches annually) and standard air-conditioning for 21 hot summer days. Spring and fall transition planning is critical for outdoor recreation, with May-September offering prime windows for hiking, water activities, and construction work.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jefferson County

via SoilByCounty

Front Range Soil Identity

This county lacks specific digital records for soil taxonomy and pH levels. The varied landscape ranges from prairie to foothills, likely creating a mosaic of soil types.

Undefined Textural Ratios

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded in this dataset. These proportions are vital for understanding how the soil will drain and support heavy structures.

Productivity and Organic Matter

Available water capacity and organic matter data are currently unlisted. Gardeners should test their soil locally to see how it compares to the 2.18% state average for organic matter.

Variable Drainage Patterns

The hydrologic group and drainage class for Jefferson County are not documented here. Proper drainage is a key concern for the county's many residential and agricultural developments.

Diverse Growth in Zone 6a

Hardiness Zone 6a supports a wide range of plants, from garden vegetables to ornamental shrubs. The relatively mild climate allows for successful harvests of tomatoes and peppers.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jefferson County

via LawnByCounty

Manageable Lawn Care Near Denver

Jefferson County scores a 36.6 on lawn difficulty, placing it right near the Colorado state average of 37.4. While it is more challenging than the national average, it offers a more balanced environment than high-mountain counties. This zone 6a area is a popular place for traditional residential turf.

Warm Summers and Average Rain

The county receives 19.8 inches of precipitation annually, which is higher than the state average but lower than ideal lawn levels. With 21 extreme heat days and 2221 growing degree days, the grass grows quickly and requires consistent maintenance. Be prepared to water frequently during the hot July weeks when temperatures often exceed 90°F.

Preparing Front Range Soils

Specific soil data for the county is limited, but Front Range soils often contain heavy clay that requires aeration. You should focus on improving drainage and testing pH levels to ensure they stay within the 6.0-7.0 range. Adding organic matter is the most effective way to break up clay and improve lawn health.

Severe Drought Across the County

Jefferson County has spent 32 weeks in drought this year, and 100% of the area currently experiences severe drought conditions. Implementing water-wise practices, such as mowing at a higher setting to shade the soil, is essential for survival. Deep watering once or twice a week is more effective than daily light sprinkling in this climate.

A Long Window for Growth

In zone 6a, you have a generous growing season starting after the last frost on May 8. You can continue maintenance and seeding projects until the first fall frost around October 3. Tall Fescue is a highly recommended choice for this area due to its ability to handle the local heat and drought.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jefferson County's county score?
Jefferson County, Colorado has a composite county score of 39.6 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 Jefferson County rank among counties in Colorado?
Jefferson County ranks #52 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 Jefferson County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Jefferson County is $3,082, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Jefferson County a tax score of 85.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jefferson County?
The median household income in Jefferson County, Colorado is $110,656 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jefferson County earns an income score of 97.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jefferson County, Colorado a good place to live?
Jefferson County scores 39.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.