Pueblo County

Colorado · CO

#53 in Colorado
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Pueblo County, Colorado

Pueblo matches Colorado's average livability

Pueblo County scores 72.2, well above the national median of 50.0 and virtually at Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county offers balanced affordability across taxes and housing in a larger, established community.

Right at Colorado's middle ground

With a composite score of 72.2, Pueblo County sits essentially at Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county ranks solidly in the middle of this eight-county sample, offering mainstream value.

Strong tax and housing affordability mix

Pueblo County scores 88.0 on taxes (effective rate of 0.508%) and 72.3 on costs, with median home values of $271,800 and rent averaging $1,059 per month. This balanced profile provides accessible entry points for families.

Modest income levels and data gaps

The county's income score of 24.0 reflects a median household income of $62,250, relatively low compared to state comparisons. Information on schools, safety, health, and environmental conditions is not yet available.

Solid choice for working families seeking balance

Pueblo County suits working families and individuals seeking affordable housing and low taxes in an established urban setting. Those seeking higher incomes or comprehensive livability data may want more information.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88Cost72.3SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome24Risk17.5WaterComing Soon
🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠72.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼24
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
68.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
17.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Pueblo County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pueblo County

via TaxByCounty

Pueblo taxes exceed U.S. average

Pueblo County's effective tax rate of 0.508% ranks in the top quartile nationally, meaning homeowners here pay more aggressively than three-quarters of Americans. The median property tax of $1,382 exceeds the national median of $2,690 by about half the national figure, though Pueblo's home values remain lower.

Second-highest rate in Colorado

Pueblo County's effective rate of 0.508% is the second-highest among Colorado's 64 counties, exceeded only by a handful of mining and resort areas. At $1,382 in median annual property tax, Pueblo residents pay slightly less than the state median of $1,560, but at a significantly steeper rate.

Steepest tax burden in southern region

Pueblo County's 0.508% rate surpasses Rio Grande County (0.415%), making it the highest-taxing county in this analysis after Phillips County (0.495%). Pueblo homeowners pay substantially more than their neighbors despite similar property values.

Median $271,800 home costs $1,382

A homeowner with the median-valued property of $271,800 in Pueblo County pays approximately $1,382 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that increases to $1,470; without, it drops to $1,195.

Appeals could ease Pueblo's burden

Pueblo County homeowners facing the state's second-highest tax rate should especially scrutinize their assessments for accuracy, as assessment errors compound quickly at higher rates. If recent sales of comparable homes suggest overvaluation, filing an appeal can yield meaningful annual savings.

Cost of Living in Pueblo County

via CostByCounty

Pueblo Aligns With National Housing Costs

Pueblo County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio matches the state average and sits just above the national norm, with residents spending $1,059 monthly on rent. Despite below-average household income ($62,250), Pueblo keeps housing costs stable through competitive rental and ownership markets.

Pueblo Holds Middle Ground Statewide

Pueblo County's affordability ranks solidly in Colorado's middle tier—more expensive than rural counties like Prowers but far more accessible than resort towns like Pitkin. The $1,059 median rent represents a reasonable balance between access to urban amenities and cost containment.

Moderately Priced Regional Hub

Pueblo's $1,059 rent sits between rural Prowers ($741) and mountain counties, reflecting its role as Colorado's second-largest city. Homeownership at $1,105 monthly remains affordable compared to Front Range rivals, making Pueblo competitive for families seeking urban services without metro-area prices.

Housing Takes 20% of Pueblo Budgets

Pueblo residents allocate 20.4% of their $62,250 median income to rent and 21.2% to ownership—both within healthy ranges. The modest $46 difference between rental and ownership costs gives households genuine flexibility in choosing their housing path.

Pueblo Balances Affordability and Access

If you need urban amenities without premium pricing, Pueblo delivers: city services, job diversity, and costs that won't strain your budget. Families and career-changers should compare Pueblo's balanced lifestyle against higher-priced Denver suburbs and pricier mountain towns.

Income & Jobs in Pueblo County

via IncomeByCounty

Pueblo County income lags nation

Pueblo County's median household income of $62,250 falls 17% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county's economy, historically anchored by steel production and military installations, reflects middle-income stability in a transitioning regional hub.

Below-average earner in Colorado

Pueblo County's $62,250 median income ranks below Colorado's state average of $74,792 by 17%. The county sits in the lower-middle tier of Colorado's income distribution, typical of industrial and military communities.

Slightly above southern Colorado peers

Pueblo County ($62,250) outearns Rio Grande County ($62,166) and significantly exceeds Saguache County ($54,283). The county anchors the southern Colorado economy, though it trails northern and mountain resort regions.

Housing costs moderate but rising

Pueblo County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio indicates manageable housing costs, though approaching the affordability threshold. A median home value of $271,800 remains accessible for median-income buyers in this traditional industrial city.

Securing middle-income stability

Households earning $62,250 should prioritize building emergency reserves and exploring homeownership before home prices accelerate further. Investigate employer pension plans and 401(k) options, especially with Pueblo's concentration of government and industrial employers offering strong benefits.

Health in Pueblo County

via HealthByCounty

Pueblo County faces health crisis

At 72.5 years, Pueblo County's life expectancy is nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—one of the lowest in the nation. With 18.5% of residents reporting poor or fair health and an uninsured rate of 7.7%, the county struggles with both underlying disease burden and fragmented care access.

Colorado's most troubled health profile

Pueblo County has the lowest life expectancy in Colorado at 72.5 years—5.7 years below the state average of 78.2 years. Though its 7.7% uninsured rate is slightly better than state average, the short life expectancy points to deeper chronic disease, injury, and social determinant crises.

Lowest life expectancy statewide

Pueblo County's 72.5-year life expectancy is lower than all eight profiled counties, including Rio Grande (72.3 years) by a fraction. Its uninsured rate of 7.7% is near the state average but offers little solace given the county's severe longevity deficit.

Uneven access despite coverage efforts

Pueblo County has 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a robust 589 mental health providers per 100,000—yet life expectancy remains the state's lowest. The mismatch suggests that even available mental health providers cannot overcome the county's structural health inequities, poverty, and chronic disease burden.

Take action on coverage today

Pueblo County's 7.7% uninsured rate means nearly 8,000 residents lack insurance; securing coverage is essential to prevent catastrophic health episodes. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Pueblo's Community Health Partners to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace plans that connect you to primary care, specialists, and mental health support.

Disaster Risk in Pueblo County

via RiskByCounty

Pueblo County faces elevated risks

Pueblo County's composite risk score of 82.51 rates as "Relatively Moderate" and substantially exceeds the national average, indicating significant natural disaster exposure. The county ranks among America's higher-risk regions for multiple hazards.

Colorado's highest-risk county

Pueblo County's score of 82.51 far exceeds Colorado's state average of 40.67, making it the state's highest-risk county. Residents face exposure levels roughly double the Colorado norm.

Significantly riskier than neighbors

Pueblo County (82.51) faces dramatically higher risk than all adjacent counties, including Rio Grande County (45.77) and Prowers County (48.60). The county's location and geography create uniquely elevated hazard exposure.

Multiple severe hazards converge

Wildfire risk (92.75), flood risk (81.11), and tornado risk (72.23) all rank among Colorado's highest, creating a triple threat. Earthquake risk (66.54) adds significant additional exposure across multiple hazard types.

Comprehensive protection required

Pueblo County residents must secure full homeowners insurance with explicit wildfire, flood, and tornado coverage, plus separate flood insurance. Professional home hardening, defensible space maintenance, and detailed evacuation planning are critical investments.

ByCounty Network

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