CountyScore

Phillips County

Colorado · CO

#23 in Colorado
73.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Phillips County, Colorado

Phillips outpaces national livability median

Phillips County scores 75.2 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of U.S. counties, driven primarily by favorable tax and housing costs.

Above-average standing in Colorado

With a score of 75.2, Phillips County ranks above Colorado's state average of 71.8, positioning it among the stronger-performing counties in the state. The county benefits from a balanced profile of fiscal and housing affordability.

Tax burden and housing costs lead the way

Phillips County excels with a tax score of 88.4 and a cost score of 78.4, reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.495% and a median home value of $255,300. These low tax and housing costs make the county attractive to cost-conscious residents and families.

Income levels lag behind state comparisons

The county's income score of 22.8 reflects a median household income of $60,372, which is below many Colorado peers. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet available, limiting a fuller livability assessment.

Ideal for budget-minded rural families

Phillips County suits families and individuals prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing in a rural setting. Those seeking higher incomes or comprehensive data on schools and safety may want to explore other options.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.4Cost78.4SafetyComing SoonHealth65.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.8Risk87.7WaterComing Soon
🏛88.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.7
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 Phillips County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Las Animas County
Colorado
73.9
Median income: $50,408
Blackford County
Indiana
73.9
Median income: $47,560
O'Brien County
Iowa
73.9
Median income: $68,216
Allen County
Kentucky
73.9
Median income: $59,029
Tensas Parish
Louisiana
73.9
Median income: $36,074

Deep Dives

Phillips County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Phillips County

via TaxByCounty

Phillips County taxes rank low nationally

Phillips County's effective tax rate of 0.495% sits below the national median effective rate, meaning homeowners here pay a smaller percentage of their property value in taxes than most Americans. The median property tax of $1,263 is less than half the national median of $2,690, placing the county in roughly the 30th percentile nationally.

Above average for Colorado

Phillips County's effective rate of 0.495% exceeds Colorado's state average of 0.393%, ranking it in the higher half of the state's 64 counties. Residents pay a median property tax of $1,263 compared to the state median of $1,560, reflecting both the county's higher rate and slightly lower home values.

Higher taxes than eastern plains peers

Phillips County's 0.495% rate outpaces neighboring Prowers County (0.327%) and Rio Blanco County (0.344%), making it one of the pricier places to own property in Colorado's rural northeast. Among comparable rural counties, only Pueblo County at 0.508% taxes residents more aggressively.

What $255,300 homes cost annually

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $255,300 in Phillips County pays approximately $1,263 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,327; without, it drops to $1,133 due to homestead exemptions.

Many Phillips County owners may overpay

Studies show that 15–25% of residential properties across Colorado are assessed above market value, and Phillips County homeowners should verify their assessments through county records. If your property's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales of similar homes, you may have grounds to file a formal appeal and reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Phillips County

via CostByCounty

Phillips County Beats National Housing Costs

Phillips County renters spend 18.8% of income on rent, well below the national average and significantly lower than Colorado's state average of 20.2%. At $947 monthly, the median rent here is $306 cheaper than the state median, making it one of Colorado's more affordable rental markets.

Affordable Housing Across the Board

Phillips County ranks favorably statewide for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average. Both renters and homeowners benefit from costs well below Colorado's typical burden, positioning the county as a budget-friendly option for those seeking stability.

Better Deals Than Surrounding Areas

Compared to nearby counties, Phillips offers reasonable pricing: renters pay less than Pueblo County ($1,059) and homeowners face lower costs than most neighbors. The $255,300 median home value provides entry into ownership without the premium prices seen in mountain resort counties.

Housing Takes Just Under 19% of Income

With a median household income of $60,372, Phillips County residents allocate roughly 18.8% to rent or 16.8% to mortgage payments—both well within the 30% affordability threshold. The gap between rent ($947) and ownership costs ($847) is modest, giving households flexibility in their housing choice.

Consider Phillips for True Affordability

If housing costs are squeezing your budget, Phillips County delivers genuine relief: rents are a third cheaper than state average, and ownership remains accessible. Compare this stability to pricier mountain towns and discover why Phillips appeals to cost-conscious families and remote workers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Phillips County

via IncomeByCounty

Phillips County earns below national median

Phillips County's median household income of $60,372 sits 19% below the nation's $74,755 median. While the county trails most U.S. households, it reflects economic conditions common in rural Colorado's agricultural and energy-dependent communities.

Ranked near Colorado's lower third

Phillips County's $60,372 median income places it below Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks among the lower-earning regions statewide, though it maintains stability through diversified rural employment.

Similar to peers, ahead of Saguache

Phillips County ($60,372) outearns Saguache County ($54,283) and Prowers County ($57,601), sitting squarely in the regional middle tier. Neighboring Rio Blanco County ($72,620) leads the immediate region, while Pitkin and Routt counties far exceed all peer earnings.

Housing remains affordable here

Phillips County's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio indicates solid housing affordability, well below the 30% threshold that signals strain. With a median home value of $255,300, homeownership remains accessible for median-income households.

Building stability in rural Colorado

Households earning $60,372 should prioritize emergency savings and retirement contributions, starting with employer 401(k) matching if available. Consider working with a financial advisor to develop a wealth-building plan suited to agricultural or energy sector income patterns.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Phillips County

via HealthByCounty

Phillips County's health gap

At 76.3 years, Phillips County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by a margin, placing it squarely at the national median. Nearly 20% of residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of about 18%, signaling slightly elevated health challenges in this rural community.

Below state health benchmarks

Phillips County ranks below Colorado's state life expectancy of 78.2 years, a gap of 1.9 years that reflects persistent health disparities. The county's 12.8% uninsured rate also exceeds Colorado's 9.7% average, leaving more residents without stable healthcare access.

Rural health challenges shared

Compared to neighboring Prowers County (73.7 years) and Rio Grande County (72.3 years), Phillips County performs better on life expectancy. However, its uninsured rate (12.8%) sits between better-insured Rio Blanco (9.5%) and the less-insured Prowers (13.0%).

Primary care access is adequate

With 89 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Phillips County maintains reasonable physician coverage for a rural area, supported by 112 mental health providers per 100,000. Yet 12.8% of residents remain uninsured, meaning thousands lack a consistent path to preventive and urgent care.

Find your coverage option today

If you're among Phillips County's uninsured, Colorado's marketplace, Medicaid, and employer plans offer real pathways to coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or Colorado's Connect for Health to explore options that fit your budget and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Phillips County

via RiskByCounty

Phillips County's risk picture

Phillips County's composite risk score of 12.34 puts it well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating. This means residents face significantly lower exposure to natural disasters than most American counties.

Among Colorado's safest counties

With a composite score of 12.34, Phillips County ranks among Colorado's lowest-risk counties—substantially below the state average of 40.67. This positions the county as one of the more resilient areas in Colorado.

Safer than surrounding areas

Phillips County's score of 12.34 is notably lower than nearby Prowers County (48.60) and Rio Blanco County (37.60). The county's low-risk profile makes it one of the safest places in northeastern Colorado.

Main hazards to monitor

Tornado risk (32.95) and wildfire risk (31.52) pose the most significant natural disaster threats in Phillips County, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk (8.27) is minimal, reflecting the county's geographic and climate advantages.

Smart coverage for Phillips County

While overall risk is low, homeowners should maintain standard property insurance and consider coverage for tornado and wildfire damage. Regular home maintenance and awareness of weather alerts provide essential protection in this low-risk environment.

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.