CountyScore

Kit Carson County

Colorado · CO

#28 in Colorado
72.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Kit Carson County, Colorado

Kit Carson Outperforms National Average

Kit Carson County scores 75.2 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top half of U.S. counties overall, signaling strong livability across measured dimensions.

Above Average Within Colorado

With a composite score of 75.2, Kit Carson ranks above Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county holds its own among Colorado's 64 counties on overall livability metrics.

Tax Burden and Affordability Lead

Kit Carson excels with a tax score of 87.8 and an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.515%, while also boasting a cost score of 78.9 with median home values near $221,400. However, the income score of 22.4 reflects lower median household income at $59,810 compared to state peers.

Income Lags Behind Comparable Counties

The income score of 22.4 is Kit Carson's weakest dimension, with median household income of $59,810 trailing several neighboring counties. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality is not yet available but would provide fuller context for families evaluating the county.

Best for Tax-Conscious, Budget-Minded Families

Kit Carson suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high incomes and urban amenities. This rural county offers solid overall livability for those seeking economic stability and a tight-knit, small-town lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.8Cost78.9SafetyComing SoonHealth68.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.4Risk67.5WaterComing Soon
🏛87.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡67.5
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 Kit Carson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Henry County
Alabama
72.9
Median income: $60,135
Jackson County
Colorado
72.9
Median income: $41,809
Baker County
Georgia
72.9
Median income: $44,405
Clearwater County
Idaho
72.9
Median income: $57,961
Fremont County
Iowa
72.9
Median income: $73,750

Deep Dives

Kit Carson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kit Carson County

via TaxByCounty

Kit Carson taxes run higher than most

With an effective tax rate of 0.515%, Kit Carson County residents pay significantly more than the national median of 0.470%, placing the county in roughly the 65th percentile nationally. The median property tax here is $1,141, well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values in the region. This combination means Kit Carson homeowners shoulder above-average tax burdens relative to property values.

Above Colorado's typical tax rate

Kit Carson's effective rate of 0.515% exceeds Colorado's state average of 0.393%, ranking the county among the higher-taxed in the state. The median tax bill of $1,141 falls below the state median of $1,560, again due to lower property valuations. This positions Kit Carson as a moderate-tax county in Colorado's landscape.

More expensive than eastern plains peers

Kit Carson's 0.515% rate is higher than neighbor Logan County (0.470%) and Las Animas County (0.244%), though more typical than Lincoln County (0.382%). The $1,141 median tax bill represents the middle ground among these rural counties. Kit Carson residents should expect to pay more per $100,000 of assessed value than most surrounding counties.

What a Kit Carson homeowner pays

The median Kit Carson home valued at $221,400 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,141. Homeowners with mortgages typically see this figure rise to $1,329 due to escrow requirements, while those without mortgages pay around $721. These annual costs make property tax a meaningful expense for typical Kit Carson households.

You may be overassessed

Across Colorado, many homeowners discover their properties are assessed above market value, creating opportunities for tax appeals. If your home was recently reappraised, requesting a reassessment review could reduce your annual tax bill. Kit Carson County residents should check their assessments regularly—even a modest reduction can yield hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kit Carson County

via CostByCounty

Kit Carson: Better than national baseline

Kit Carson County residents spend 18.4% of household income on rent, beating the national average and Colorado's 20.2% state average. With a median household income of $59,810—below the U.S. median of $74,755—the county still manages strong housing affordability compared to most of America.

A most affordable Colorado county

Kit Carson ranks among Colorado's most affordable counties for renters, with housing costs consuming a smaller share of income than the state typical. At 18.4%, the rent-to-income ratio positions the county well relative to peers struggling with 20%+ burdens statewide.

Southeast Plains affordability advantage

Kit Carson's median rent of $916/month runs $337 below the state average of $1,253, matching the affordable profile of neighboring rural counties. The median home value of $221,400 reflects the lower-cost character of Colorado's eastern plains region.

Rent and ownership both accessible here

Renters pay $916 monthly while owners pay $852—a rare reversal showing that buying is slightly cheaper than renting in Kit Carson. With median income at $59,810, both housing options consume under 18% of household earnings, leaving room for other necessities.

Affordable plains living awaits

If Colorado's mountain-county rents feel out of reach, Kit Carson offers a genuine alternative with sub-$1,000 monthly rent and solid homeownership paths. The county's affordability advantage over state and national averages makes it worth considering for budget-conscious relocators.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kit Carson County

via IncomeByCounty

Kit Carson trails national income average

Kit Carson County's median household income of $59,810 falls below the national median of $74,755, a gap of about $15,000. This places the county in the lower-income tier nationally, though many rural agricultural communities face similar challenges.

Among Colorado's lower-income counties

At $59,810, Kit Carson County earns 20% less than Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks below the middle of Colorado's 64 counties, reflecting its rural, agricultural economy.

Stronger than Las Animas and Lincoln

Kit Carson's median income of $59,810 beats Las Animas ($50,408) and Lincoln ($54,257) counties, but trails Mesa County ($71,485) to the west. Its rural peer counties show similar income patterns across Colorado's plains and mountain regions.

Housing costs manageable for renters

Renters in Kit Carson spend just 18.4% of income on rent, well below the 30% affordability threshold and among the best ratios in the state. However, a median home value of $221,400 requires substantial savings for homeownership on local wages.

Building wealth in Kit Carson

With favorable rental costs and reasonable home prices, Kit Carson residents should prioritize emergency savings and retirement accounts to close the income gap with wealthier counties. Consider consulting a financial advisor about wealth-building strategies tailored to agricultural and rural economies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kit Carson County

via HealthByCounty

Kit Carson's life expectancy lags nationally

At 75.6 years, Kit Carson County residents live nearly 5 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 15.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average, signaling persistent health challenges across the population.

Below Colorado's health benchmark

Kit Carson's 75.6-year life expectancy falls 2.6 years below Colorado's state average of 78.2 years. The county ranks in the lower half of Colorado's 64 counties for overall life expectancy.

Struggling compared to adjacent counties

Kit Carson faces steeper health challenges than neighbors like Lincoln County (77.5 years) and Mesa County (76.7 years). Only Las Animas and Logan counties match Kit Carson's concerning 75.6-year baseline.

Healthcare access and coverage gaps

With 12.9% of residents uninsured—above Colorado's 9.7% average—many Kit Carson residents struggle to access regular care. Just 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents create additional barriers to preventive health services.

Find affordable coverage for your family

Colorado's health insurance marketplace offers options for uninsured Kit Carson residents, with subsidies available based on income. Visit connect.colorado.gov to explore plans or call 1-855-PLANS-CO to speak with an enrollment specialist today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kit Carson County

via RiskByCounty

Kit Carson's risk sits well below U.S. average

With a composite risk score of 32.47 and a Very Low rating, Kit Carson County faces substantially less disaster risk than the typical American county. This score reflects a community where most hazards remain manageable through standard preparedness, though specific risks deserve attention.

Among Colorado's safest counties overall

Kit Carson's 32.47 score ranks it well below Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it in the lower half of the state's disaster risk profile. This relative safety doesn't mean complacency—certain hazards still pose real threats to residents and property.

Safer than high-plains neighbors

Kit Carson (32.47) faces lower composite risk than Logan County (58.75) to its north, though both are less exposed than Larimer County (90.14) further northeast. Among immediate peers on the eastern plains, Kit Carson enjoys below-average hazard exposure across most categories.

Tornadoes and wildfire dominate local threats

Tornado risk scores 57.51 here—well above the county's composite average and a genuine concern during spring and early summer. Wildfire risk at 42.43 reflects the semi-arid landscape; while not extreme, dry conditions can accelerate fire spread rapidly across grasslands.

Secure coverage for wind and fire damage

Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive property insurance that explicitly covers tornado and windstorm damage, as these risks significantly exceed other hazards in Kit Carson. Don't assume standard policies cover wildfire; contact your agent about additional coverage for grass and structure fires.

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.