La Plata County

Colorado · CO

#47 in Colorado
68.7
County Score

County Report Card

About La Plata County, Colorado

La Plata Exceeds National Livability Standard

La Plata County's composite score of 70.8 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. The county demonstrates strong overall livability across its measured dimensions.

Slightly Below Colorado's Average

La Plata scores 70.8 versus Colorado's state average of 71.8, placing it slightly behind the state baseline. Among Colorado's 64 counties, it represents solid middle-to-upper tier performance.

Outstanding Tax Advantage and Higher Incomes

La Plata's tax score of 94.8 is among Colorado's best, with an effective tax rate of just 0.264%, while its income score of 39.1 reflects median household income of $85,296. These factors combine to create strong economic appeal for professionals and established families.

Housing Costs Present Real Tradeoff

La Plata's cost score of 60.7 reflects higher housing expenses, with median home values at $549,100 and median rent at $1,409 per month. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability picture for families with school-age children.

Ideal for Affluent Professionals Seeking Amenities

La Plata appeals to higher-income professionals and established families willing to pay for premium housing in exchange for tax efficiency and stronger earning potential. The county's score profile suggests a more prosperous, lifestyle-focused community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax94.8Cost60.7SafetyComing SoonHealth77.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.1Risk24.8WaterComing Soon
🏛94.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠60.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼39.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
77.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
24.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

La Plata County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in La Plata County

via TaxByCounty

La Plata keeps taxes remarkably low

At just 0.264% effective tax rate, La Plata County ranks in roughly the 15th percentile nationally—among America's lowest-taxed regions. While the median property tax of $1,452 appears modest compared to the national median of $2,690, this reflects La Plata's higher home values (median $549,100). The county achieves exceptional tax efficiency for residents with valuable properties.

Colorado's most tax-friendly county

La Plata's 0.264% effective rate is less than two-thirds of Colorado's state average of 0.393%, making it one of the state's most attractive counties for tax-conscious residents. The median tax of $1,452 sits slightly below the state median of $1,560, despite having significantly higher property values. La Plata offers exceptional value for homeowners in the Mountain West.

Significantly lower than surrounding counties

La Plata's 0.264% rate dramatically undercuts nearby Lake County (0.385%), Larimer County (0.500%), and Kit Carson County (0.515%). Even Las Animas County, the state's other low-tax leader at 0.244%, sits barely below La Plata. For high-value properties, La Plata delivers the region's best tax outcomes.

What a La Plata homeowner pays

The median La Plata home valued at $549,100 generates an estimated annual property tax of just $1,452—remarkably low for a property of this value. With a mortgage, that figure rises slightly to $1,568, while outright owners pay around $1,288. This tax efficiency makes La Plata particularly attractive to affluent buyers seeking tax relief.

Even low-tax counties reward appeals

La Plata's already-favorable rates don't mean assessments are always accurate—overvaluation happens in every market. Homeowners should still verify their assessments, particularly after recent construction or market shifts. An appeal could reduce your tax bill further, protecting your investment in this tax-efficient county.

Cost of Living in La Plata County

via CostByCounty

La Plata matches national affordability norms

La Plata County residents spend 19.8% of income on rent, just below Colorado's 20.2% state average and competitive with the national affordability benchmark. With a median household income of $85,296—significantly above the U.S. median of $74,755—the county delivers solid purchasing power for housing.

Mid-tier affordability in Colorado

La Plata's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio places it in Colorado's more affordable half, despite higher home values reflecting southwestern mountain desirability. The county balances moderate income levels with reasonable housing burden compared to state peers.

Southwest Colorado premium pricing

La Plata's median rent of $1,409/month runs $156 above Colorado's state average, reflecting the region's outdoor recreation appeal and limited housing supply. The median home value of $549,100 positions La Plata among Colorado's pricier counties, though still below the front range surge.

Renters and owners face similar burdens

Renters pay $1,409 monthly while owners spend $1,437—nearly identical costs reflecting a balanced market where purchasing and renting are equally expensive. At 19.8% of the $85,296 median income, housing still leaves substantial room for other household needs.

Quality lifestyle, moderate housing burden

La Plata offers southwestern Colorado living with better affordability than front-range counties and income levels to support it. Relocators seeking mountain access without Denver-level prices will find La Plata competitive compared to nearby resort-driven markets.

Income & Jobs in La Plata County

via IncomeByCounty

La Plata surpasses national income benchmark

La Plata County's median household income of $85,296 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about $10,500. This solid performance ranks the county above most U.S. communities and reflects a diverse economic base.

Well above Colorado's median income

At $85,296, La Plata County earns 14% more than Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier of Colorado's 64 counties, driven by mining, tourism, and professional services.

Competitive with high-income peers

La Plata's $85,296 median income compares favorably to Larimer ($91,364) and Lake ($93,655) counties, though slightly below them. Among southwest Colorado communities, La Plata leads regional income levels.

Housing costs rising for renters

Renters in La Plata spend 19.8% of income on rent, remaining affordable but creeping toward the 30% caution threshold. A median home value of $549,100 is high relative to local income, requiring dual earners or significant down payments.

Investment opportunities in La Plata

La Plata residents with above-average incomes should leverage their earning power through diversified investments, retirement accounts, and home equity strategies. A financial advisor can help balance homeownership costs with wealth-building goals in this growing mountain economy.

Health in La Plata County

via HealthByCounty

La Plata outpaces national health benchmarks

At 80.3 years, La Plata County residents live nearly 1.4 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 12.1% poor/fair health rate ranks well below the national average, reflecting strong population health outcomes.

Colorado's health leaders

La Plata's 80.3-year life expectancy ranks among Colorado's top 15 counties, exceeding the state average of 78.2 years by 2.1 years. The county demonstrates how strong healthcare infrastructure supports longer, healthier lives.

Regional health advantage

La Plata outperforms nearby Archuleta and San Juan counties in life expectancy and health outcomes. Only Lake County (81.3 years) surpasses La Plata's exceptional longevity in the southwestern region.

Robust provider network fuels health access

La Plata's 132 primary care providers and 557 mental health providers per 100,000 residents far exceed state and national norms. With just 10.4% uninsured—close to Colorado's 9.7% rate—residents have strong pathways to preventive and mental health care.

Keep your coverage current and complete

La Plata's strong healthcare foundation works best when everyone has insurance. Check your coverage status at connect.colorado.gov or call 1-855-PLANS-CO to ensure your family maintains uninterrupted access to care.

Disaster Risk in La Plata County

via RiskByCounty

La Plata faces above-average U.S. disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 75.16 and a Relatively Low rating, La Plata County experiences notably more disaster exposure than the typical American county. Two hazards—wildfire and flooding—drive this elevated profile and demand serious attention from residents.

Among Colorado's riskier counties

La Plata's 75.16 score substantially exceeds Colorado's 40.67 state average, placing it in the upper tier of statewide risk. The county faces greater compound hazard exposure than most of its neighbors, with wildfire and flood risk nearly double the state norm.

Significantly higher risk than mountain peers

La Plata (75.16) faces nearly triple the risk of neighboring Lake County (5.66), and substantially more than Las Animas County (23.63) immediately to the east. Among southwestern Colorado's main population centers, La Plata carries the highest composite disaster burden.

Wildfire and flooding threaten La Plata

Wildfire risk scores 97.55—among the highest in the state—reflecting dense forests, steep terrain, and a warm, dry climate that accelerates fire spread. Flood risk at 81.36 reflects heavy monsoon rains and snowmelt in mountainous headwaters that feed into valley communities.

Invest heavily in wildfire and flood insurance

Homeowners in La Plata should carry robust wildfire coverage, including on roofs and defensible space improvements; consider additional living expense riders for evacuation scenarios. Flood insurance is critical—standard homeowner policies exclude water damage, and La Plata's monsoon and snowmelt exposure makes it essential coverage.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.