Lincoln County's composite score of 77.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for livability. The county demonstrates strong overall conditions across measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Among Colorado's Most Livable Counties
Lincoln scores 77.0, meaningfully above Colorado's state average of 71.8, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's 64 counties. It represents one of Colorado's top livability performers.
3 / 5
Outstanding Affordability and Tax Efficiency
Lincoln County's cost score of 80.6 reflects exceptional housing affordability with median home values of $232,100 and rents at $854 monthly, while its tax score of 91.5 delivers an effective rate of 0.382%. These factors create a highly economical living environment.
4 / 5
Lower Incomes Offset Affordability Gains
Lincoln's income score of 18.8 reflects median household income of $54,257, the county's primary livability constraint. Safety, health, school, and water data remain unavailable, preventing full assessment for families.
5 / 5
Perfect for Retirees and Cost-Conscious Families
Lincoln County is best suited for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families prioritizing extremely low living costs and minimal tax burden. The county delivers maximum economic value for those with modest income requirements.
Lincoln County's composite score of 77.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for livability. The county demonstrates strong overall conditions across measured dimensions.
Among Colorado's Most Livable Counties
Lincoln scores 77.0, meaningfully above Colorado's state average of 71.8, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's 64 counties. It represents one of Colorado's top livability performers.
Outstanding Affordability and Tax Efficiency
Lincoln County's cost score of 80.6 reflects exceptional housing affordability with median home values of $232,100 and rents at $854 monthly, while its tax score of 91.5 delivers an effective rate of 0.382%. These factors create a highly economical living environment.
Lower Incomes Offset Affordability Gains
Lincoln's income score of 18.8 reflects median household income of $54,257, the county's primary livability constraint. Safety, health, school, and water data remain unavailable, preventing full assessment for families.
Perfect for Retirees and Cost-Conscious Families
Lincoln County is best suited for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families prioritizing extremely low living costs and minimal tax burden. The county delivers maximum economic value for those with modest income requirements.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛91.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.382% sits below the national median of 0.470%, placing it in roughly the 35th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $886 represents just 33% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's rural character and modest home values ($232,100 median). Lincoln residents enjoy below-average national tax burdens.
Slightly below Colorado's typical rate
Lincoln's 0.382% effective rate sits just below Colorado's state average of 0.393%, positioning the county as slightly more tax-friendly than typical. The median tax of $886 falls well below the state median of $1,560, confirming Lincoln's status as a lower-tax Colorado county. Residents here pay below-state-average property taxes.
Lower taxes in the eastern plains
Lincoln's 0.382% rate sits between Las Animas County (0.244%) and Kit Carson County (0.515%), offering a middle-ground option in the eastern region. The $886 median tax bill is the second-lowest surveyed after Las Animas. Lincoln provides rural residents with reasonable tax efficiency.
What a Lincoln County homeowner pays
The median Lincoln County home valued at $232,100 generates an estimated annual property tax of $886. With a mortgage, homeowners pay approximately $970, while those owning outright pay around $592. Lincoln's tax bills remain among the state's most affordable for typical rural properties.
Rural assessments need checking too
Rural properties like Lincoln County's often face less frequent reassessments, allowing outdated valuations to persist and inflate taxes. If your assessment hasn't changed in several years despite local market shifts, request a reassessment. An appeal could unlock additional savings on an already-affordable tax bill.
Lincoln County residents spend 18.9% of household income on rent, beating both Colorado's 20.2% state average and the national norm by a meaningful margin. At $54,257 median income, the county achieves rare affordability by pairing low housing costs with realistic earnings.
Colorado's most affordable county option
Lincoln's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's best affordability outcomes, with housing consuming the smallest share of income among comparable Colorado counties. The combination of low rent and reasonable income creates exceptional household financial breathing room.
Eastern plains leader in value
Lincoln's median rent of $854/month runs $399 below Colorado's state average, making it the cheapest renting option in this county set. The median home value of $232,100 similarly anchors Lincoln as the region's most accessible market for buyers.
Both renters and owners find value
Renters pay just $854 monthly while owners spend $815—both well below state norms and reflecting genuine rural affordability. With 18.9% of income going to housing, Lincoln residents enjoy the largest affordability cushion in this county comparison.
Maximum affordability, no compromise
Lincoln County is Colorado's best bet for households with modest incomes seeking stable housing without compromise or stretch—no high-tech income requirements or sacrifice of quality of life. Remote workers earning $50,000+ will find Lincoln dramatically cheaper than any front-range alternative.
Lincoln County's median household income of $54,257 falls roughly $20,500 below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects the economic realities of rural Colorado's sparse population and limited employment diversity.
Well below Colorado's median income
At $54,257, Lincoln County earns 28% less than Colorado's state average of $74,792, ranking among the state's lowest-income counties. The county's ranching and oil-and-gas economies support limited household wealth.
Similar to other rural plains counties
Lincoln's $54,257 median mirrors Kit Carson ($59,810) and Logan ($55,074) counties across Colorado's eastern plains. All three rural counties struggle with income levels below state and national benchmarks.
Rent affordable on limited incomes
At 18.9%, Lincoln County renters spend a reasonable share of income on housing, below the 30% caution threshold. A median home value of $232,100 remains accessible relative to some rural counties, though still challenging for median-income households.
Financial stability in Lincoln County
Residents should focus on building emergency reserves and exploring community financial resources to strengthen household stability. A financial advisor familiar with rural economies can help develop realistic savings and wealth-building strategies tailored to local income levels.
At 77.5 years, Lincoln County residents live 1.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 18.0% poor/fair health rate exceeds national norms, indicating persistent health challenges across the population.
Below Colorado's health median
Lincoln County's 77.5-year life expectancy falls 0.7 years below Colorado's state average of 78.2 years. The county's 18.0% poor/fair health rate ranks among Colorado's more vulnerable counties.
Mixed results in rural context
Lincoln County's 77.5-year life expectancy exceeds Las Animas (74.0) and Logan (74.0) but trails El Paso (78.9) and other more developed counties. The county's 106 primary care providers per 100,000 offer moderate access compared to rural peers.
Moderate insurance coverage with limited providers
Lincoln County's 8.0% uninsured rate—slightly below Colorado's 9.7% average—provides some coverage stability. However, 106 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 201 mental health providers remain stretched thin for a rural population.
Strengthen healthcare access for Lincoln
Even with relatively strong insurance coverage at 8.0%, Lincoln residents benefit from reviewing their plans annually. Visit connect.colorado.gov or call 1-855-PLANS-CO to confirm you have coverage that matches your family's evolving health needs.
With a composite risk score of just 7.47 and a Very Low rating, Lincoln County ranks in the lowest tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. This exceptional safety reflects a combination of geography, climate, and relative isolation from major hazard zones.
Colorado's safest county by composite risk
Lincoln County's 7.47 score is the lowest in the entire state—dramatically below Colorado's 40.67 average. This ranking reflects minimal exposure across the full spectrum of natural disasters compared to virtually all other Colorado communities.
Far safer than surrounding high-plains areas
Lincoln (7.47) faces a tiny fraction of the risk in Logan County (58.75) to the north and Kit Carson (32.47) to the east. Its position as Colorado's lowest-risk county reflects relative protection from flooding, wildfire, tornado, and seismic activity.
Wildfire the only notable hazard exposure
Wildfire risk scores 58.43—Lincoln's highest hazard—though still moderate in absolute terms and reflecting the county's grassland and semi-arid landscape. All other hazards score significantly lower, with tornadoes at 25.06 and earthquakes at 18.58 remaining minimal concerns.
Basic coverage adequate for most residents
Lincoln County's exceptionally low-risk profile means standard homeowner insurance provides adequate protection for most properties. Consider adding wildfire coverage as an affordable supplement given the county's landscape, and maintain routine roof and gutter maintenance to minimize fire risk from external sources.