countyscore
38.2
County Score
Property Tax 82.6Income & Jobs 69.6Disaster Risk 48.1

County Report Card

About Morgan County, Colorado

Morgan County well below national livability

Morgan County scores 37.9, ranking in the 27th percentile nationally and well below the national median of 50.0. Despite higher incomes, significant challenges in housing affordability and infrastructure constrain overall livability.

Colorado's lower-ranked livability county

Morgan County ranks in the bottom third of Colorado's 64 counties at 37.9, notably below the state average of 51.2. It faces steeper livability challenges than most Colorado peers.

Strong incomes drive financial security

Morgan County's income score of 77.9 is exceptional, with median household income at $75,407. The tax score of 83.4 (0.526% effective rate) provides additional financial benefit, though higher than most peers.

Water, safety, and housing strain livability

A water score of just 20.1 signals serious infrastructure concerns, and safety at 27.7 limits peace of mind. Housing affordability ranks poorly at 18.2 despite median home values at $299,300 and rents at $1,092 monthly.

Best for high-income rural professionals

Morgan County suits workers or entrepreneurs with strong incomes seeking rural living despite infrastructure limitations. It appeals to those prioritizing economic stability over comprehensive public services or safety ratings.

2040608010082.622.527.745.613.669.648.120.129.2Tax82.6Cost22.5Safety27.7Health45.6Schools13.6Income69.6Risk48.1Water20.1Weather29.238.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Morgan County DNA

Foverall

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

Morgan County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (82.6/100) but notably weak in Schools (13.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.6+30.599999999999994
Cost
22.5-25.5
Safety
27.7-27.3
Health
45.6
Schools
13.6-40.4
Income
69.6+18.599999999999994
Risk
48.1
Water
20.1-37.9
Weather
29.2-26.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Morgan County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$338,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,025/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$338,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,278/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.3

per 100K

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

Sacramento County
California
Median income: $92,175
38.2
Hernando County
Florida
Median income: $66,058
38.2
Baltimore County
Maryland
Median income: $91,768
38.2
Lenoir County
North Carolina
Median income: $45,143
38.2
Morton County
North Dakota
Median income: $79,382
38.2
Delaware County
Ohio
Median income: $133,540
38.2
Montgomery County
Tennessee
Median income: $75,613
38.2
Hood County
Texas
Median income: $88,160
38.2

Nearby counties

Washington County
Colorado
53.7
Adams County
Colorado
29.9
Arapahoe County
Colorado
42.8
Logan County
Colorado
37.3
Weld County
Colorado
38
Kimball County
Nebraska
52.2
Broomfield County
Colorado
45.3
Denver County
Colorado
33.6

Deep Dives

Morgan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Morgan County

via TaxByCounty

Morgan County taxes highest among peers

At 0.526%, Morgan County's effective tax rate exceeds Colorado's state average of 0.393% by over a third. Property owners pay a median of $1,574 annually—still only 58% of the national median of $2,690.

Highest tax rate among these eight counties

Morgan County ranks among the highest-taxing counties in Colorado at 0.526%, well above the state average of 0.393%. The median tax bill of $1,574 slightly exceeds the state median of $1,560.

Significantly higher than regional counterparts

Morgan County's 0.526% rate substantially exceeds all nearby peers, including Moffat (0.430%), Mineral (0.354%), and Montezuma (0.297%). Among the eight highlighted counties, Morgan carries the highest effective tax burden.

Median home costs about $1,574 annually

A typical Morgan County home valued at $299,300 incurs roughly $1,574 in annual property tax at the current 0.526% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,805, while those without mortgages pay $1,273.

Appeal if your assessment seems too high

Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to fair market value. Morgan 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 Morgan County

via IncomeByCounty

Morgan County Edges Past National Median

Morgan County's median household income of $75,407 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $652. This positions the county just above the U.S. middle class, supported by agriculture, energy, and light manufacturing sectors.

Matches Colorado's Statewide Income Profile

Morgan County's $75,407 income essentially equals Colorado's state median of $74,792, placing it squarely at the state middle. The county maintains parity with more urban and developed areas despite its rural northeastern location.

Strongest Earner Among Plains Counties

Morgan County's $75,407 income outpaces neighboring Otero County ($54,897) by over $20,000, reflecting stronger agricultural productivity and regional economic stability. It trails mountain counties significantly but leads most northeastern plains peers.

Housing Highly Affordable at 17.4%

Morgan County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% is among the lowest statewide, with residents spending well under one-fifth on housing. Median home values of $299,300 remain highly accessible, making homeownership realistic for most working families.

Seize Affordability to Accelerate Savings

Morgan County's low housing costs create exceptional opportunity to save aggressively—aim to direct 15-20% of household income toward retirement and investments. Consider 529 college savings plans and rental property investment to build intergenerational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Morgan County

via CrimeByCounty

Morgan County Outpaces National Safety

Morgan County earns a safety score of 97.2, indicating it is safer than many national peers. Its total crime rate of 1,745.6 per 100,000 is roughly 27% lower than the national average.

Surpassing Colorado Safety Standards

The county's crime rate of 1,745.6 per 100,000 beats the Colorado average of 1,834.6. This performance places Morgan County among the more secure counties in the state.

A Secure Choice Among Neighbors

Morgan County maintains a lower total crime rate than neighboring Montezuma and Montrose counties. This makes it a standout for safety in the Northeastern plains region.

Breaking Down Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime sits at 241.0 per 100,000, roughly in line with the state average of 232.1. Property crime is more frequent at 1,504.6 per 100,000, representing the majority of law enforcement activity.

Keep Your Morgan Home Secure

Since property crime is the primary local challenge, ensure all entry points are properly locked. Neighborhood vigilance and smart lighting can help keep these numbers low.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Morgan County

via WeatherByCounty

Morgan runs warm, near-average precipitation

Morgan County's 49.0°F annual temperature exceeds the U.S. median of 47.5°F, placing it firmly in America's warm counties. Its 15.1 inches of precipitation sits slightly below the national average, creating a semi-arid plains climate.

Warmest quarter in Colorado's county ranks

Morgan County's 49.0°F average ranks it among Colorado's warmest counties, sitting 3.0°F above the state average of 46.0°F. Only a handful of Colorado counties run hotter, mostly in the far southeast.

Marginally cooler than Montezuma and Montrose

Morgan (49.0°F) sits just below Montezuma (48.8°F) and Montrose (48.2°F) in the warm-county hierarchy, but its 58 extreme heat days vastly exceed both neighbors. This northeastern plains location experiences more intense summer heat despite a similar annual average.

Intense summers, cold snaps, modest snowfall

Morgan's summer average of 71.5°F includes 58 days reaching 90°F or hotter—triple that of Montezuma and significantly hotter than any nearby county. Winters average 27.4°F with only 27.5 inches of snow, making it one of Colorado's least snowy regions despite harsh cold snaps.

Heavy-duty AC and heat-resistant landscaping essential

Residents face 58 days of extreme heat annually, making robust air conditioning a non-negotiable investment. Limited snowfall reduces shoveling burden, but rapid temperature swings between seasons demand flexible HVAC systems and heat-resistant outdoor materials to withstand intense summer sun.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Morgan County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Sands of the Plains

Morgan County features an alkaline soil profile with an average pH of 7.19. This is significantly higher than the national median of 6.5 but remains slightly more neutral than the Colorado state average of 7.29.

Sandy Foundations for Farming

The soil is comprised of 60.3% sand, 22.7% silt, and 15.9% clay. This high sand content ensures excellent drainage and ease of tilling, though it requires frequent watering to maintain moisture.

Thirsty Soils Seek Nutrients

Organic matter sits at 1.23%, which is well below the state average of 2.18%. The available water capacity of 0.119 in/in is also lower than the state mean, suggesting a need for consistent irrigation.

Fast-Draining Lowlands

The sandy texture leads to rapid water movement through the soil profile. While this prevents most flooding issues, it also means nutrients can leach away quickly if not managed carefully.

Plains-Hardy Growing

In Hardiness Zone 5b, Morgan County is prime territory for sugar beets and hardy grains. Backyard gardeners can see great success with tomatoes and peppers if they add plenty of compost to hold water.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Morgan County

via LawnByCounty

A Top Choice for Colorado Lawns

Morgan County is a standout for lawn success with a difficulty score of 47.0, approaching the national average of 50.0. This makes it one of the easiest places in Colorado to maintain a healthy yard.

Vigorous Growth Amidst High Heat

A robust 2,854 growing degree days drives vigorous growth, though homeowners must manage a high 58 days of extreme heat. With annual rainfall at 15.1 inches, careful irrigation is needed to combat the frequent 90°F+ temperatures.

Managing Sandy Soil Bases

The soil here is 60.3% sand, ensuring excellent drainage but requiring more frequent watering than clay-heavy soils. With a pH of 7.19, the soil is slightly more alkaline than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range.

Better Moisture Trends

Morgan County has seen only 13 weeks of drought in the past year, which is far better than much of the state. While 100% of the area is currently abnormally dry, the overall moisture stability is a major advantage.

Best Grass for Zone 5b

Tall Fescue is an excellent choice for this Zone 5b climate and sandy soil profile. Aim to start your lawn after the May 15 frost date to maximize the long growing season available in this county.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Morgan County's county score?
Morgan County, Colorado has a composite county score of 38.2 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 Morgan County rank among counties in Colorado?
Morgan County ranks #56 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 Morgan County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Morgan County is $1,751, with an effective tax rate of 0.52%. This earns Morgan County a tax score of 82.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Morgan County?
The median household income in Morgan County, Colorado is $73,278 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Morgan County earns an income score of 69.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Morgan County, Colorado a good place to live?
Morgan County scores 38.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #56 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Morgan 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 Morgan 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.