CountyScore

Park County

Colorado · CO

#43 in Colorado
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Park County, Colorado

Park County slightly above national average

With a composite score of 64.5, Park County ranks above the national median of 50.0 but trails most peers in this cohort. This profile reflects a trade-off between excellent tax rates and strong incomes offset by notably high housing costs.

Below average for Colorado

Park County's 64.5 score falls below Colorado's state average of 71.8, ranking it among the lower-tier counties in this group. This reflects housing affordability challenges that outweigh its tax and income advantages.

Premium incomes and tax efficiency

Park County leads the cohort with an income score of 45.7 and median household income of $95,450—ideal for affluent professionals. The tax score of 92.6 with an effective rate of 0.343% provides substantial tax savings for high earners.

Housing costs significantly strain budgets

The cost score of 48.1 is sharply below peers, reflecting a median home value of $489,300 and median rent of $1,942/month—the highest in the group. This steep housing burden diminishes overall livability despite strong incomes and tax advantages.

For high earners who can afford it

Park County suits wealthy professionals and executives seeking mountain living with excellent tax efficiency and premium incomes. However, prospective residents must have significant earning power to comfortably afford housing in this exclusive, high-cost Colorado location.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.6Cost48.1SafetyComing SoonHealth81SchoolsComing SoonIncome45.7Risk77.8WaterComing Soon
🏛92.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠48.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼45.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡77.8
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 Park County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska
69.7
Median income: $64,000
Chicot County
Arkansas
69.7
Median income: $39,683
Elbert County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $129,477
Franklin County
Georgia
69.7
Median income: $52,264
Gilmer County
Georgia
69.7
Median income: $72,542

Deep Dives

Park County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Park County

via TaxByCounty

Park County taxes well below national average

At 0.343%, Park County's effective tax rate runs below Colorado's state average of 0.393% and far below national norms. The median annual property tax of $1,679 remains roughly 38% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Lower-middle tier among Colorado counties

Park County ranks in the lower half of Colorado's 64 counties at 0.343%, beating the state average of 0.393% by a solid margin. The median tax bill of $1,679 exceeds the state median of $1,560 due to higher-valued mountain properties.

Competitive mountain county tax rates

Park County's 0.343% rate sits between Mineral County (0.354%) and Ouray County (0.277%), offering efficient taxation on premium mountain real estate. Among the eight highlighted counties, Park offers balanced tax efficiency with significant property values.

Median home costs about $1,679 annually

A typical Park County home valued at $489,300 incurs roughly $1,679 in annual property tax at the current 0.343% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,806, while those without mortgages pay $1,474.

Appeal if your assessment seems too high

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

Cost of Living in Park County

via CostByCounty

Park County: highest income, tightest ratios

Park County renters spend 24.4% of income on housing—above the 30% affordability ceiling and the highest burden in our sample. Yet median household income of $95,450 is 28% above the U.S. average, indicating an ultra-wealthy community where high rents ($1,942/month) strain even affluent households.

Colorado's priciest market, thin margins

Park County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.4% exceeds Colorado's state average by 4.2 points, making it the state's most rental-burdened market in our sample. Median rents of $1,942/month are 55% above the state median, reflecting the county's proximity to Denver and mountain resort prestige.

Outlier costs, outlier incomes

Park County's $1,942 rent nearly doubles Ouray County's ($1,398) and quintuples Otero County's ($796), positioning it as Colorado's clear premium market. Its $95,450 median income is the highest in our sample, yet even this cannot prevent housing from consuming nearly a quarter of monthly earnings.

Renters squeezed despite high wages

Renters pay $1,942/month while homeowners spend $1,598 on median homes valued at $489,300—an unusual pattern where ownership remains cheaper but both are steep. At $95,450 income, even affluent Park County households allocate 24% (renters) or 20% (owners) to housing, the highest burden in our sample.

Denver metro's exclusive price frontier

Park County appeals only to high-income professionals or executives willing to accept America's tightest renter ratios (24.4%) for proximity to Denver and world-class amenities. If you're seeking mountain living with better affordability, Ouray County or Montrose County offer similar lifestyles at substantially lower costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Park County

via IncomeByCounty

Park County Among America's Wealthiest

Park County's median household income of $95,450 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $20,695, placing residents in the top 30% nationally. The county's proximity to Denver, mountain recreation, and second-home market drive exceptional household earnings.

Colorado's Highest-Income County Peer

Park County ranks at the pinnacle of Colorado's income distribution with $95,450—nearly $21,000 above the state median of $74,792. The county consistently outearns all but the wealthiest enclaves in the state.

Wealthiest in Mountain Colorado by Far

Park County's $95,450 income dominates the region, exceeding Ouray ($84,556) by $10,894 and outpacing all other western counties substantially. Its per capita income of $53,396 ties the region's highest, reflecting affluent professional-class residents and retirees.

High Incomes Offset Premium Housing Costs

Park County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.4% is the highest reviewed, reflecting median home values of $489,300. However, the county's strong incomes absorb these costs without approaching affordability crisis—well-positioned households maintain financial flexibility.

Sophisticated Planning for High Net Worth

Park County's affluent residents should pursue comprehensive wealth strategies: maximize all tax-advantaged accounts, invest in diversified portfolios, and consider alternative assets. Engage estate planning attorneys and financial advisors familiar with high-net-worth strategies including tax optimization and generational wealth transfer.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Park County

via HealthByCounty

Park County's longevity ranks nationally strong

At 81.5 years, Park County residents live 1.2 years longer than the U.S. average of 80.3 years, placing the county in America's healthier demographic tiers. The 12.9% poor/fair health rate substantially beats the national average of 18%, indicating residents enjoy fewer chronic conditions and better overall wellness than typical Americans.

Top-tier Colorado health outcomes

Park County's 81.5-year life expectancy leads Colorado's state average of 78.2 by 3.3 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties. The 12.9% poor/fair health rate and 7.3% uninsured rate both exceed state health benchmarks, creating a strong foundation for community wellness.

Outperforming neighboring mountain counties

Park County's 81.5-year life expectancy beats Clear Creek, Summit, and Eagle counties, establishing it as a mountain region longevity leader. However, the county's 17 primary care providers per 100,000 ranks among Colorado's lowest, reflecting the rural mountain geography's challenge in recruiting physicians.

Excellent health outcomes despite provider shortage

With only 7.3% uninsured—well below Colorado's 9.7% average—nearly all Park County residents have health coverage that supports preventive care. Though the county's 17 primary care providers per 100,000 is lean by state standards, strong community health culture and relatively high incomes appear to buffer residents against common health risks.

Maintain Park County's health advantage

Park County's strong health outcomes depend on near-universal coverage; the 7.3% uninsured should explore options to complete the county's health success story. Visit Colorado.gov/PEAK or call your local health department to ensure all neighbors have coverage and access to the preventive care that keeps Park County thriving.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Park County

via RiskByCounty

Park County's Risk: Low, Below National Average

Park County's composite risk score of 22.20 places it in the "Very Low" category, significantly below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's mountainous central Colorado location provides protection from many widespread hazards, though some risks remain concentrated.

Among Colorado's Safer Counties

Park County's score of 22.20 ranks it among Colorado's lower-risk counties, well below the state average of 40.67. The county benefits from its high-elevation location and limited urban sprawl in hazard-prone areas.

Similar Safety Profile to Ouray and Mineral

Park County's 22.20 score sits between Ouray (17.72) and the state average, reflecting its slightly larger population and development compared to Ouray but still among Colorado's safer counties. Neighboring counties in the plains (Morgan, Otero) score significantly higher due to tornado and flood exposure.

Wildfire Dominates; Tornado Secondary

Wildfire risk stands highest at 94.88—Park County's most significant hazard—reflecting extensive forest coverage across the central mountains, though overall county risk remains low. Tornado risk (19.21) ranks second, while earthquake (30.03) and flood (21.82) risks remain modest.

Prioritize Wildfire Insurance Coverage

Park County homeowners, especially those in or near forested areas, must add wildfire insurance to their policies, as it's excluded from standard coverage and your county's wildfire risk (94.88) is among Colorado's highest. Review your property's elevation and proximity to forests when evaluating earthquake and flood insurance options.

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.