CountyScore

Las Animas County

Colorado · CO

#22 in Colorado
73.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Las Animas County, Colorado

Las Animas Leads National Livability Comparison

Las Animas County's composite score of 77.3 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it among the nation's more livable counties. This strong showing reflects favorable conditions across measured dimensions.

Colorado's Top-Tier Livability Performer

Las Animas scores 77.3, well above Colorado's state average of 71.8, ranking among the state's best counties for overall livability. It stands in the upper echelon of Colorado's 64 counties.

Exceptional Tax Rates and Housing Affordability

Las Animas boasts a tax score of 95.4 with the lowest effective tax rate at 0.244%, and a cost score of 79.0 reflecting median home values of $214,500 and rents around $875 monthly. These factors make the county exceptionally affordable and tax-efficient.

Income Levels Significantly Trail State Average

Las Animas's income score of 16.3 is its weakest area, with median household income of $50,408 substantially below state peers and comparable counties. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and water limit comprehensive evaluation.

Ideal for Budget-First Retirees and Remote Workers

Las Animas suits retirees, remote workers, and income-flexible families prioritizing low taxes and highly affordable housing over high wages. The county offers exceptional economic value for those with modest income needs and rural lifestyle preferences.

Score breakdown

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

Tax95.4Cost79SafetyComing SoonHealth64.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.3Risk76.4WaterComing Soon
🏛95.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Las Animas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Phillips County
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73.9
Median income: $60,372
Blackford County
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73.9
Median income: $47,560
O'Brien County
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73.9
Median income: $68,216
Allen County
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73.9
Median income: $59,029
Tensas Parish
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73.9
Median income: $36,074

Deep Dives

Las Animas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

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.