countyscore
72.2
County Score
Safety 97.5Property Tax 95.9Disaster Risk 94.6

County Report Card

About Mineral County, Colorado

Mineral County outpaces national livability

With a composite score of 69.2, Mineral County ranks in the 72nd percentile nationally, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This places it among the more livable counties across the United States, driven by exceptional safety and low tax burdens.

Colorado's second-most livable county

Mineral County ranks second among Colorado's 64 counties with a score of 69.2, substantially above the state average of 51.2. Only one county in Colorado scores higher on the overall livability index.

Safety and taxes define Mineral's appeal

Mineral County excels with a safety score of 97.5 and a tax score of 96.0, reflecting an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.354%. Health outcomes are also strong at 75.6, and the county maintains excellent water infrastructure with a score of 86.0.

Housing affordability and wages lag

The cost score of 37.4 indicates limited affordable housing, with median home values at $413,000 and median gross rent at $903 monthly. Income remains a constraint with a score of just 19.6—median household income stands at only $52,455, well below state norms.

Ideal for safety-conscious retirees

Mineral County suits households prioritizing safe communities and low tax burdens over affordability. It appeals most to established families or retirees with sufficient resources to afford homes in the $400k+ range who value a secure, stable environment.

2040608010095.951.497.575.651.123.894.68650Tax95.9Cost51.4Safety97.5Health75.6Schools51.1Income23.8Risk94.6Water86Weather5072.2/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Mineral County DNA

Coverall

How Mineral County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Mineral County excels in 5 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (94.6/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Income (23.8/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
95.9+43.900000000000006
Cost
51.4
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
75.6+25.599999999999994
Schools
51.1
Income
23.8-27.2
Risk
94.6+47.599999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
50
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Compare mortgage rates in Mineral County

Whether buying or refinancing in Mineral County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$430,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$928/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$430,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum7.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,250/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Hand County
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Sully County
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Gosper County
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Crockett County
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Cumberland County
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Median income: $40,000
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Nearby counties

Rio Grande County
Colorado
36.6
Hinsdale County
Colorado
69.7
Archuleta County
Colorado
56.1
Saguache County
Colorado
56.1
San Juan County
Colorado
66.1
Ouray County
Colorado
65.9
Conejos County
Colorado
64
Alamosa County
Colorado
36.9

Deep Dives

Mineral County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mineral County

via TaxByCounty

Mineral County taxes well below U.S. average

At 0.354%, Mineral County's effective tax rate sits nearly 40% lower than the national median home tax burden. Property owners here pay a median of $1,462 annually, roughly half the $2,690 national median despite homes valued 46% higher than the U.S. average.

Among Colorado's most tax-friendly counties

Mineral County ranks in the lower half of Colorado's 64 counties for effective tax rates at 0.354%, beating the state average of 0.393% by a meaningful margin. The county's median tax bill of $1,462 undercuts the state median of $1,560.

Competitive with regional mountain communities

Mineral County's 0.354% rate edges out Ouray County (0.277%) but sits slightly higher than neighboring Montezuma County (0.297%). Among regional peers, Mineral offers middle-ground tax efficiency while maintaining higher median home values than most neighbors.

Median home costs about $1,462 annually

A typical Mineral County home valued at $413,000 incurs roughly $1,462 in annual property tax at the current 0.354% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly less ($1,404), while those without mortgages pay $1,568.

Appeal if your assessment seems too high

Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to fair market value. Mineral County residents can file a formal appeal with the county assessor if they believe their property tax bill doesn't reflect current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mineral County

via IncomeByCounty

Mineral County Earns 30% Below U.S. Average

Mineral County's median household income of $52,455 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $22,300 annually. This places the county in the lower income tier nationally, reflecting its rural mountain economy and smaller labor market.

Among Colorado's Lower-Income Counties

Mineral County ranks below Colorado's state average median income of $74,792, placing it in the lower quartile statewide. The $22,337 gap highlights the income disparities between rural and more developed Colorado counties.

Lowest Earner in Western Mountain Cluster

Among nearby San Juan region counties, Mineral County's $52,455 income lags significantly behind Ouray ($84,556) and Montrose ($66,072). Its per capita income of $41,950 is notably higher than neighbors like Montezuma ($34,667), suggesting more concentrated wealth among fewer earners.

Housing Takes a Manageable 21% of Income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.7%, Mineral County residents spend just over one-fifth of earnings on housing—well within the 30% affordability threshold. However, median home values of $413,000 require substantial savings and income stability to access homeownership.

Build Long-Term Financial Security Here

Mineral County residents should prioritize emergency funds and retirement savings, as median incomes leave limited margin for unexpected expenses. Consider maximizing employer 401(k) matches and exploring low-cost index funds to build wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mineral County

via CrimeByCounty

A Perfect National Safety Record

Mineral County achieves a perfect safety score of 100.0, reporting zero crimes in 2022. This stands in incredible contrast to the national total crime rate of 2,385.5 per 100,000 residents.

Colorado's Quietest County Corner

With a crime rate of 0.0, Mineral County significantly outperforms the Colorado state average of 1,834.6 per 100,000. It ranks as one of the safest jurisdictions in the state's data records.

Exceptional Safety Among Mountain Peers

Mineral County maintains lower crime activity than regional neighbors like Ouray or Park counties. While a single agency reports this data, the lack of activity suggests a very high degree of public safety.

Understanding the Zero-Crime Statistics

Both violent and property crime rates remain at 0.0 per 100,000 residents for the reporting period. These figures indicate an environment where reported criminal incidents are virtually non-existent.

Maintaining Mineral's Secure Reputation

Even in an area with a 100.0 safety score, basic security awareness helps maintain this standard. Simple precautions like locking doors and lighting entryways keep the community safe for everyone.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mineral County

via WeatherByCounty

Mineral County runs cold like northern mountains

At 38.0°F annually, Mineral County runs 12.5 degrees colder than the U.S. median of 50.5°F, placing it in a cold alpine climate zone. The county receives 15.3 inches of precipitation annually, slightly below national median.

Second-coldest county in Colorado

Mineral County's 38.0°F average runs 8.0 degrees below Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, making it the second-coldest county after Lake County. Its high elevation and southwestern mountain location create this extreme cold profile.

Colder than most neighbors, milder than Lake County

Mineral County averages 38.0°F—only 4.9 degrees warmer than Lake County's 34.9°F but significantly colder than Las Animas County's 52.8°F. It occupies a distinct cold zone despite its southern Colorado location.

Frigid winters, cool summers, zero heat days

July averages 59.2°F with zero days reaching 90°F annually, reflecting perpetually cool conditions. January averages 16.9°F, and the county receives 55.0 inches of annual snowfall—substantial accumulation across a lengthy winter season.

Intensive winter infrastructure, minimal cooling needs

Heavy snow removal equipment and ice management systems are critical with 55.0 inches annually; residents need robust heating systems for January's 16.9°F average. Air conditioning is rarely needed—summer temperatures stay cool year-round, making winter preparation the dominant seasonal concern.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mineral County

via SoilByCounty

High-Altitude Soil Mysteries

Mineral County's rugged alpine terrain currently lacks digitized soil taxonomic and pH data in national surveys. While the national median pH is 6.5, local volcanic and coniferous environments often create unique, site-specific chemistry.

Rocky Mountain Textures

Official percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not yet recorded for this high-elevation region. Gardeners typically encounter rocky, skeletal soils that offer rapid drainage but require significant effort to work.

Amending the Alpine Ground

With organic matter and water capacity data unavailable, growers must look to state benchmarks of 2.18% organic matter for comparison. Local mountain soils often fall below these marks and benefit from heavy composting.

Managing Mountain Runoff

Formal hydrologic groups are not listed, but the county's steep slopes dictate natural drainage patterns. Building and planting require careful attention to snowmelt paths and potential erosion in this vertical landscape.

Cool Climate Success

Falling within Hardiness Zone 5a, Mineral County supports cold-hardy perennials and short-season vegetables. Embrace the challenge by using raised beds and cold frames to extend your high-country harvest.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mineral County

via LawnByCounty

A Challenging High-Altitude Lawn Environment

Mineral County earns a lawn difficulty score of 32.1, making it significantly harder to maintain turf here than the national median of 50.0. Homeowners in this Zone 5a region face a more demanding environment than the Colorado state average of 37.4.

Cool Temps and Limited Moisture

With only 15.3 inches of annual precipitation, lawns receive about half of the moisture recommended for ideal growth. While the lack of extreme heat days prevents scorching, the low 734 growing degree days indicate a very short window for grass to establish.

Managing Thin Mountain Soils

While specific texture data is limited for this area, high-altitude mountain soils typically require significant organic amendments to thrive. Homeowners should perform a private test to ensure their pH levels are within the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range for nutrient uptake.

Abnormally Dry Conditions Persist

The county has spent 39 weeks in drought over the past year, and 100% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Residents should prioritize deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to maximize moisture retention.

Hardy Grasses for Zone 5a

Hardy cool-season grasses like Fine Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass are your best bet for this high-elevation climate. Because frost dates are highly variable in the mountains, wait for consistent overnight thaws before you begin seeding your lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mineral County's county score?
Mineral County, Colorado has a composite county score of 72.2 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 Mineral County rank among counties in Colorado?
Mineral County ranks #1 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 Mineral County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Mineral County is $1,500, with an effective tax rate of 0.35%. This earns Mineral County a tax score of 95.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mineral County?
The median household income in Mineral County, Colorado is $56,250 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mineral County earns an income score of 23.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mineral County, Colorado a good place to live?
Mineral County scores 72.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #1 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Mineral 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 Mineral County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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