countyscore
40.1
County Score
Property Tax 99.4Disaster Risk 76.4Water Quality 51.8

County Report Card

About Las Animas County, Colorado

Las Animas ranks below national median

Las Animas County's composite score of 40.1 falls clearly below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the lower quintile of U.S. counties. This reflects a county facing material headwinds across safety, health, and income dimensions.

Lowest tier among Colorado counties

At 40.1, Las Animas ranks in the bottom quarter of Colorado, significantly below the state average of 51.2. The county faces compounded challenges that distinguish it even within Colorado's more rural tier.

Tax rates and affordability offer shelter

Las Animas boasts a Tax Score of 99.4 with the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.244%, and maintains reasonable housing affordability with a Cost Score of 43.6 (median home value $214,500, rent $875/month). These are genuine advantages for cost-conscious residents.

Safety, health, and income severely constrained

Las Animas faces alarming gaps with a Safety Score of 5.4 and Health Score of just 36.7, combined with median household income of only $50,408 (Income Score 15.3). These interconnected challenges create genuine hardship for residents.

For retirees prioritizing lowest costs only

Las Animas suits fixed-income retirees seeking minimal tax burden and affordable housing who can work around safety and health limitations. Working-age families should strongly consider more robust county options.

Score breakdown

Tax99.4Cost43.6Safety5.4Health36.7Schools20.9Income15.3Risk76.4Water51.8Weather45.9
🏛99.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠43.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡5.4
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤36.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓20.9
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡76.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧51.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤45.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱35.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Huerfano County
Colorado
56.6
Pueblo County
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32.6
Costilla County
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62.6
Colfax County
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Otero County
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Custer County
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Alamosa County
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Crowley County
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Deep Dives

Las Animas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Las Animas County

via TaxByCounty

Las Animas offers among lowest U.S. taxes

With an effective tax rate of just 0.244%, Las Animas County ranks in the bottom 10% nationally—among America's most tax-friendly regions. The median property tax of $524 represents only 19% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both low rates and modest home values ($214,500 median). Las Animas represents an exceptional tax situation for its residents.

Colorado's second-lowest tax county

Las Animas' 0.244% effective rate barely trails La Plata County (0.264%) as Colorado's lowest-taxed region, well below the state average of 0.393%. The median tax of $524 is less than one-third of the state median of $1,560, representing extraordinary tax savings. Las Animas offers unmatched tax efficiency in Colorado.

Dramatically cheaper than all neighbors

Las Animas' 0.244% rate is substantially lower than Lake County (0.385%), Larimer County (0.500%), Kit Carson County (0.515%), and all other surveyed neighbors. The $524 median tax is the lowest in the entire survey. For tax-sensitive residents, Las Animas stands alone as the region's most affordable option.

What a Las Animas homeowner pays

The median Las Animas home valued at $214,500 generates an estimated annual property tax of just $524—the state's lowest typical bill. With a mortgage, homeowners pay approximately $597, while those owning outright pay around $383. Las Animas delivers exceptional tax savings for both mortgaged and outright homeowners.

Even low assessments deserve review

Las Animas' already-minimal tax burden doesn't guarantee accurate assessments—overvaluation occurs in every county. Review your tax assessment whenever property values shift in your area. An appeal could save you hundreds on an already-low bill, preserving more of your income in this exceptionally tax-friendly county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Las Animas County

via CostByCounty

Las Animas: Modest income, modest costs

Las Animas County residents spend 20.8% of household income on rent, matching Colorado's 20.2% state average despite having the lowest median income ($50,408) in this county comparison. The affordable housing stock aligns with the county's rural, lower-wage economy.

Affordable despite lean incomes

Las Animas' 20.8% rent-to-income ratio keeps pace with Colorado averages, an achievement in a county where median income falls $24,347 below the state typical. The county's low housing costs effectively match earnings patterns.

Southern coal country affordability

Las Animas' median rent of $875/month runs $378 below Colorado's state average, reflecting the county's post-coal-economy reality and small-town character. The median home value of $214,500 offers genuine entry-level ownership paths for modest-income households.

Rent and ownership nearly equivalent

Renters pay $875 monthly while owners spend $894—virtually identical costs making both paths equally viable in Las Animas' balanced market. With median income at $50,408, housing consumes about 20%, leaving modest but meaningful room for savings and other needs.

Genuine affordability for modest budgets

Las Animas County delivers Colorado's rarest asset: affordable housing paired with low incomes, making it viable for service workers, artists, and remote professionals prioritizing cost-of-living. If your household income runs $50,000–$60,000, Las Animas offers realistic paths to stable housing without the front-range squeeze.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Las Animas County

via IncomeByCounty

Las Animas lags well behind national income

Las Animas County's median household income of $50,408 falls nearly $25,000 below the national median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects economic challenges common to rural mountain communities dependent on mining and agriculture.

Among Colorado's lowest-income counties

At $50,408, Las Animas County earns 33% less than Colorado's state average of $74,792, ranking in the bottom tier statewide. The county's economic base has shifted from coal mining, creating persistent income challenges.

Lowest income among peer counties

Las Animas's $50,408 median is the lowest among comparable rural counties, trailing Kit Carson ($59,810) and Lincoln ($54,257). The county faces structural economic headwinds from its dependence on declining coal employment.

Rent affordable, but homes challenging

At 20.8%, Las Animas renters spend an acceptable share of income on housing, slightly above comfort levels. However, a median home value of $214,500 still requires substantial savings relative to local earning power, limiting homeownership access.

Building stability in Las Animas

Residents should prioritize emergency savings and stable employment while exploring financial assistance programs and community development resources. Consider speaking with a financial counselor about budgeting, debt management, and long-term wealth strategies suited to lower-income households.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Las Animas County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Levels Higher Than National Norms

Las Animas County reports a total crime rate of 3,418.4 per 100K, which is over 1,000 points higher than the national average. This leads to a lower-than-average safety score of 94.6.

Navigating Public Safety in Southern Colorado

The county struggles with higher crime figures compared to the state average of 1,834.6. It is one of the more active areas for law enforcement in the state.

Higher Incidents than Nearby Plains

Las Animas has a higher crime rate than nearby plains counties like Lincoln or Kit Carson. Two reporting agencies manage safety across its expansive southern territory.

Evaluating Violent and Property Crime

Both violent crime (589.4) and property crime (2,829.0) exceed national averages. These numbers indicate a higher-than-average risk for residents in the area.

Robust Defense for Your Household

Advanced home security systems are highly recommended to protect your family and belongings. Consider professional monitoring to ensure a rapid response in an emergency.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Las Animas County

via HealthByCounty

Las Animas faces serious health crisis

At 74.0 years, Las Animas County residents live 4.9 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's alarming 21.0% poor/fair health rate—the highest we track—signals severe population health distress.

Colorado's most vulnerable county

Las Animas ranks among Colorado's lowest counties for life expectancy at 74.0 years, trailing the state average by 4.2 years. The county's 21.0% poor/fair health rate is more than double Colorado's healthier counties.

Health crisis outpacing nearby counties

Las Animas's 74.0-year life expectancy falls 3-7 years below neighbors like Huerfano (77.5), Pueblo (76.8), and Archuleta counties. Only Logan County matches Las Animas's devastating longevity gap.

Provider shortage compounds health crisis

Las Animas has just 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far below state needs—forcing many to travel for basic care. With 11.1% uninsured and limited mental health providers (188 per 100K), residents face compounded barriers to addressing chronic disease and behavioral health.

Taking first steps toward health recovery

Las Animas residents deserve access to affordable healthcare and insurance protection. Call 1-855-PLANS-CO to speak with an enrollment specialist about coverage options, or visit connect.colorado.gov to explore plans available to you today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Las Animas County

via SchoolsByCounty

Rural Schools and Broad Districts

Las Animas County distributes 1,967 students across 12 public schools and six different school districts. This rural network includes 4 elementary schools and 4 high schools, along with 3 specialized 'other' category schools.

Strong Local Success Rates

The county's graduation rate of 84.9% exceeds the state average of 83.1%. While the $6,183 per-pupil expenditure is lower than national benchmarks, the composite school score of 49.1 remains competitive within Colorado.

Trinidad and Branson Lead

Trinidad School District 1 is the primary provider with 796 students across three schools. The Branson Reorganized School District No. 82 also plays a key role, largely through its digital and alternative offerings.

The Essence of Rural Learning

Education in Las Animas is predominantly rural, with 10 of the 12 schools situated in quiet, open settings. The average school size is small at 164 students, though Fisher's Peak Elementary serves as a larger local hub with 403 students.

Peaceful Living Near Quality Schools

For families seeking a rural lifestyle without sacrificing graduation success, Trinidad and its surrounding communities are ideal. The small average class sizes provide a personalized educational experience that is hard to find in urban centers.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Las Animas County

via RiskByCounty

Las Animas ranks among America's lowest-risk counties

With a composite risk score of 23.63 and a Very Low rating, Las Animas County sits well below the U.S. average for natural disaster exposure. This safety profile reflects geographic features and climate patterns that limit exposure to major hazards.

Lower-middle tier for Colorado risk

Las Animas' 23.63 score falls well below Colorado's 40.67 state average, placing it in the safer half of Colorado's counties. While the state contains higher-risk areas, Las Animas residents enjoy below-average disaster exposure across most hazard categories.

Safer than La Plata, riskier than Lake County

Las Animas (23.63) faces substantially less risk than neighboring La Plata (75.16) to the west, though more than Lake County (5.66) to the north. It represents a middle ground among southwestern Colorado's mountain communities in terms of disaster exposure.

Wildfire dominates local risk profile

Wildfire risk scores 91.83—exceptional in the state and the clear outlier in Las Animas' risk profile—reflecting dense forests and rugged terrain. Flood risk at 36.26 is moderate; tornadoes are uncommon at 14.09, and earthquakes at 26.69 remain relatively low.

Prioritize wildfire insurance above all else

Given wildfire's dominant role in Las Animas' risk profile, homeowners should invest in comprehensive coverage that includes structure, contents, and living expenses during evacuation. Maintain defensible space around your home, create an evacuation plan with your family, and keep important documents and photos in a fireproof safe.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Las Animas County

via WeatherByCounty

Las Animas runs warmer than U.S. average

At 52.8°F annually, Las Animas County exceeds the U.S. median of 50.5°F by 2.3 degrees, placing it in a semi-arid/humid subtropical climate zone. The county receives 16.7 inches of precipitation, matching national averages.

Warmest in Colorado's south-central region

Las Animas County's 52.8°F average runs 6.8 degrees above Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, making it one of the state's warmest counties. This elevated temperature reflects its southern location and lower elevation compared to northern Colorado.

Warmest climate in the mountain region

Las Animas averages 52.8°F, substantially warmer than Mineral County's 38.0°F and Lake County's 34.9°F to the north. Yet it's comparable to Lincoln County's 49.5°F, both benefiting from southern Colorado's sunnier, warmer position.

Hot summers, mild winters, 41 heat days

July averages 74.1°F with 41 days reaching 90°F annually, creating sustained summer heat. Winters are mild relative to mountain counties—January averages 33.8°F with modest 58.6 inches of annual snowfall.

Summer cooling is essential, winter planning moderate

Air conditioning becomes non-negotiable with 41 annual days hitting 90°F; residents should ensure efficient cooling systems. Winter preparation is less intensive than northern counties—58.6 inches of annual snow is manageable, but heavy rain periods require drainage management.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Las Animas County

via SoilByCounty

Southern Colorado's Semi-Arid Profile

Las Animas County lacks specific pH and taxonomic data in the current registry. These soils exist in a semi-arid climate and likely deviate from the state's average pH of 7.29 depending on local mineral deposits.

Canyons and Rangeland Textures

Specific sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded for this vast county. The landscape features a mix of mesa-top soils and rangeland that vary in their ability to hold water and nutrients.

Adapting to Southern Dryness

Organic matter and available water capacity data are missing, but the state average water capacity of 0.139 in/in provides a useful comparison. Amending the soil can help gardeners reach the state's 2.18% organic matter benchmark.

Complex Regional Hydrology

The dataset does not list a dominant drainage class or hydrologic group for the county. Effective water management is the most important factor for success in this region's varied terrain.

Sun-Loving Plants in Zone 6a

Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, Las Animas County is ideal for heat-tolerant plants like peppers and beans. Start a garden today and take advantage of the abundant southern sunshine.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Las Animas County

via LawnByCounty

Average Difficulty in Zone 6a

Las Animas County earns a 35.8 difficulty score, which is nearly identical to the state average but tougher than the national median. In this Zone 6a environment, success depends on managing the transition between plains and peaks.

Warm Summers and Active Growth

With 41 extreme heat days and 3,167 growing degree days, the local climate is warmer and more active than much of the state. Annual precipitation of 16.7 inches provides a baseline, but the high heat demands careful irrigation timing.

Managing High-Plains Soil

Specific soil data is limited, though regional trends often lean toward alkaline conditions. Before planting, consider a soil test to check for the mineral imbalances common in high-plains soil to optimize your lawn's health.

Relatively Stable Water Conditions

While 40.2% of the area is abnormally dry, the county has only seen 41 weeks in drought over the past year. This is relatively stable compared to neighbors, though 1.5% of the area still faces severe conditions.

Heat-Tolerant Variety Success

Heat-tolerant varieties like Tall Fescue can handle the 41 days of 90-degree weather. Aim to plant after the May 4th frost to capitalize on the robust 3,167 growing degree days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Las Animas County's county score?
Las Animas County, Colorado has a composite county score of 40.1 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 Las Animas County rank among counties in Colorado?
Las Animas County ranks #54 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 Las Animas County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Las Animas County is $524, with an effective tax rate of 0.24%. This earns Las Animas County a tax score of 99.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Las Animas County?
The median household income in Las Animas County, Colorado is $50,408 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Las Animas County earns an income score of 15.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Las Animas County, Colorado a good place to live?
Las Animas County scores 40.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #54 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Las Animas 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 Las Animas County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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