Lake County

Colorado · CO

#21 in Colorado
74.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Lake County, Colorado

Lake County Well Above National Median

Lake County scores 71.0 on the composite index, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This strong performance indicates the county ranks among the top half of livable counties nationwide.

Matches Colorado's Average Livability

Lake County's 71.0 score sits just barely below Colorado's state average of 71.8, making it representative of typical livability across the state. It holds competitive ground among Colorado's 64 counties.

Balanced Taxes, Incomes, and Affordability

Lake County delivers a tax score of 91.4 with an effective rate of 0.385%, paired with an income score of 44.5 and median household income of $93,655. The cost score of 62.3 reflects reasonable housing with median values near $401,300.

Limited Data on Health and Safety

Lake County lacks available data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and risk factors, which limits comprehensive livability assessment. These dimensions would help prospective residents and families make fully informed decisions.

Balanced Choice for Moderate-Income Professionals

Lake County suits middle-to-upper-middle-income professionals and established families seeking a balanced mix of taxes, income potential, and reasonable housing costs. It appeals to those prioritizing economic stability without extreme price premiums.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.4Cost62.3SafetyComing SoonHealth76.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.5Risk94.4WaterComing Soon
🏛91.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠62.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼44.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
76.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
94.4
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

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Lake County's taxes align with national trends

Lake County's effective tax rate of 0.385% sits slightly below the national median of 0.470%, placing it in roughly the 40th percentile. The median property tax of $1,544 remains substantially lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's more modest property values (median $401,300). Lake County residents enjoy rates closer to the national norm.

Slightly below Colorado average

At 0.385%, Lake County's effective rate nearly matches Colorado's state average of 0.393%, keeping the county in the middle of the state's tax rankings. The median tax of $1,544 falls just below the state median of $1,560, confirming Lake's status as a typical Colorado county for property taxation. Residents here should expect state-average tax burdens.

Moderate taxes in the mountain region

Lake County's 0.385% rate sits between higher-taxed Larimer County (0.500%) to the north and lower-taxed La Plata County (0.264%) to the southwest. The $1,544 median tax bill reflects the county's position as a mountain community with moderate property values. Lake offers neither the state's lowest nor highest tax burden.

What a Lake County homeowner pays

The median Lake County home valued at $401,300 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,544. With a mortgage, homeowners typically pay around $1,946 when other escrow items are included. Lake County's taxes represent a meaningful but manageable annual household expense.

Appeals work in mountain counties too

Lake County's mountain properties often experience volatile valuations due to seasonal markets and tourist activity, creating appeal opportunities. If your recent tax bill jumped significantly, request a reassessment to verify your home's fair market value. Even modest reductions can yield substantial long-term savings for Lake County homeowners.

Cost of Living in Lake County

via CostByCounty

Lake County: High income, stable affordability

Lake County residents spend 20.5% of household income on rent—just marginally above Colorado's 20.2% state average despite having the highest median income ($93,655) among comparable counties. The county's strong earnings power effectively offsets mountain-region housing premiums.

Upper-middle Colorado affordability tier

Lake County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio places it solidly within Colorado's acceptable range, aided by the county's exceptionally high median income of $93,655. The strong earning potential enables residents to absorb mountain-community housing costs more comfortably.

Mountain resort pricing, mountain wages

Lake County's median rent of $1,599/month runs $346 above the state average, but the county's $93,655 median income is among Colorado's highest. The pairing of premium rents with premium incomes creates relative affordability despite nominal prices.

Ownership favors buyers over renters

Renters spend $1,599 monthly while owners pay only $1,096—a $503 gap that makes buying substantially cheaper in Lake County's mountain market. At 20.5% of the $93,655 median income, rent is manageable, and ownership becomes an excellent long-term value.

Premium living for premium incomes

Lake County suits remote workers, professionals, and relocators with above-average earnings seeking mountain living without the affordability crisis. If your income matches or exceeds the $93,655 median, Lake County's Leadville region delivers mountain access at rational housing burden.

Income & Jobs in Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Lake County income ranks among nation's best

Lake County's median household income of $93,655 significantly outpaces the national median of $74,755, a difference of nearly $19,000. This places Lake County in the top quartile of U.S. counties.

Third-highest income in Colorado

At $93,655, Lake County ranks near the top of Colorado's 64 counties, earning 25% above the state average of $74,792. The county's mining and outdoor recreation economies support strong household earnings.

Competitive with premium mountain counties

Lake County's $93,655 median rivals Larimer County ($91,364) and ranks among Colorado's most affluent communities. Its mountain location and limited supply contribute to high property values and household wealth.

Housing costs stretching higher incomes

Despite strong incomes, Lake County renters spend 20.5% of earnings on rent, creeping past comfort levels. A median home value of $401,300 requires significant income to afford comfortably, making homeownership aspirational for many.

Maximize wealth in mountain county

Lake County residents earn well above national averages and should aggressively fund retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and tax-advantaged savings vehicles. With strong incomes, wealth-building strategies focused on real estate equity and diversification can compound long-term gains.

Health in Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Lake County leads the nation in longevity

At 81.3 years, Lake County residents enjoy the highest life expectancy we track, nearly 2.4 years above the U.S. average. The county's 11.8% poor/fair health rate reflects a remarkably healthy population with strong health resilience.

Colorado's healthiest county by longevity

Lake County's 81.3-year life expectancy ranks first among Colorado's 64 counties, surpassing the state average by 3.1 years. This exceptional longevity places Lake County among America's healthiest small communities.

Clear health advantage in mountain region

Lake County's 81.3-year life expectancy outpaces Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties, establishing it as the mountain region's health leader. No adjacent county comes close to Lake's combination of longevity and low poor/fair health rates.

Access challenges despite excellent health outcomes

Lake County's exceptional longevity masks concerning access gaps: 13.1% of residents lack health insurance, and just 41 primary care providers per 100,000 serve the population. Mental health services are similarly limited at 122 providers per 100,000.

Sustain Lake County's health momentum

Even in Colorado's healthiest county, having insurance matters for preventive care and unexpected health needs. Visit connect.colorado.gov to review coverage options and ensure your family isn't among the 13.1% without protection.

Disaster Risk in Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Lake County ranks among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 5.66 and a Very Low rating, Lake County sits in the safest tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster risk. This exceptional safety profile reflects both geographic isolation and relative protection from major hazard zones.

Colorado's second-lowest risk county

Lake County's 5.66 score is dramatically lower than Colorado's 40.67 state average, making it one of the two safest counties in the entire state. This means residents enjoy substantially lower exposure to the full range of natural disasters compared to typical Coloradans.

Far safer than surrounding mountain areas

Lake County (5.66) faces a fraction of the risk in La Plata (75.16) and Larimer (90.14) counties, and substantially less than Logan (58.75) to the northeast. Its alpine location and relative isolation create a uniquely protected position within Colorado's disaster landscape.

Earthquake the main concern, wildfire secondary

Earthquake risk at 29.36 represents Lake County's highest single hazard, though still below state and national norms in absolute terms. Wildfire risk scores 23.41—low overall—but can spread rapidly in the county's forested alpine terrain during dry periods.

Standard coverage adequate for most homeowners

Lake County's low-risk profile means standard homeowner policies generally provide sufficient protection for most residents. However, consider earthquake coverage as a cost-effective addition given the Rocky Mountain setting, and maintain adequate roof maintenance to guard against the limited wildfire exposure.

ByCounty Network

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