countyscore
65.1
County Score
Property Tax 96.5Safety 79.3Income & Jobs 73

County Report Card

About Rio Blanco County, Colorado

Rio Blanco exceeds national livability

Rio Blanco County's composite score of 65.1 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 77th percentile nationally. This northwest Colorado county demonstrates above-average livability fundamentals across most dimensions.

Among Colorado's strongest counties

At 65.1, Rio Blanco County ranks in Colorado's upper tier, surpassing the state average of 51.2 by 14 points. It stands out as one of the state's most consistently well-rounded counties.

Income, safety, and health excel

Rio Blanco County's median household income of $72,620 (73.0 score) anchors strong economic fundamentals, complemented by solid safety (79.3) and health outcomes (68.9). Its tax burden is exceptional at 0.344 percent, the lowest in this analysis.

Housing costs and water management need work

Housing affordability (32.9) and water availability (27.1) represent the county's weakest dimensions, though neither reaches crisis levels. These constraints reflect the rural mountain economy's inherent limitations.

Perfect for balanced families seeking stability

Rio Blanco County suits families and professionals seeking strong schools, solid incomes, and safety without resort-town premiums. This is Colorado's best overall choice for balanced, sustainable rural mountain living.

2040608010096.532.979.368.9667362.427.133.9Tax96.5Cost32.9Safety79.3Health68.9Schools66Income73Risk62.4Water27.1Weather33.965.1/100
This county
National avg
6 above average3 below average

Rio Blanco County DNA

D+overall

How Rio Blanco County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Rio Blanco County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Property Tax (96.5/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
96.5+44.5
Cost
32.9-15.100000000000001
Safety
79.3+24.299999999999997
Health
68.9+18.900000000000006
Schools
66+12
Income
73+22
Risk
62.4+15.399999999999999
Water
27.1-30.9
Weather
33.9-22.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$243,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$924/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$243,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,620/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

76.7

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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65

Nearby counties

Garfield County
Colorado
43.7
Moffat County
Colorado
42.8
Mesa County
Colorado
38.5
Delta County
Colorado
40.8
Routt County
Colorado
54.6
Uintah County
Utah
45.5
Eagle County
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49.5
Pitkin County
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57.5

Deep Dives

Rio Blanco County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Rio Blanco County

via TaxByCounty

Rio Blanco taxes well below average

Rio Blanco County's effective tax rate of 0.344% sits in the bottom third nationally, offering homeowners below-average U.S. tax pressure. The median property tax of $837 is just 31% of the national median of $2,690, placing Rio Blanco in a favorable position nationwide.

Below average for Colorado

Rio Blanco County's 0.344% effective rate falls below Colorado's state average of 0.393%, ranking it in the lower-tax half of the state's counties. The median property tax of $837 is comfortably below the state median of $1,560.

Comparable to other rural counties

Rio Blanco County's 0.344% rate sits between Prowers County (0.327%) and Routt County (0.329%), placing it in the middle of rural Colorado's tax spectrum. The county offers a moderate tax burden compared to its regional peers.

Median $243,400 home costs $837

A homeowner with the median-valued property of $243,400 in Rio Blanco County pays approximately $837 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $945; without, it drops to $631.

Rio Blanco owners should verify assessments

Even at modest tax rates, Rio Blanco County homeowners benefit from reviewing their property assessments against recent comparable sales in the local market. A successful appeal, while smaller in absolute dollar terms than in high-value counties, still puts money back in homeowners' pockets.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rio Blanco County

via CostByCounty

Rio Blanco Beats National Housing Burden

Rio Blanco County residents spend 15.3% of income on rent—among Colorado's lowest rates and significantly below both state (20.2%) and national averages. At $924 monthly, rents here cost 26% less than the state median while supporting a higher median income ($72,620) than most peers.

Colorado's Underrated Affordability Winner

Rio Blanco County ranks in Colorado's top tier for affordability, offering mountain-adjacent living without resort-town pricing. With a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio, it beats nearly all Colorado counties while maintaining reasonable home values ($243,400) and solid household incomes.

Better Value Than Routt County

Rio Blanco's $924 rent costs $921 less than Routt County ($1,845) despite comparable median incomes. Even for homeownership, Rio Blanco's $1,043 monthly payment trails Routt's $1,837, positioning the county as the superior value for mountain-area relocators.

Housing Takes Just 15% of Income

With a median household income of $72,620, Rio Blanco residents dedicate only 15.3% to rent or 17.3% to ownership—well below the 30% affordability threshold. This financial cushion allows families to save, invest, and build security without housing stress.

Rio Blanco: Mountain Living on a Budget

Rio Blanco County offers outdoor access and small-town charm with costs 26% below state average—a rare combination in Colorado's mountain west. If you want mountain proximity without Aspen or Vail prices, Rio Blanco delivers genuine value and financial breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rio Blanco County

via IncomeByCounty

Rio Blanco County near national median

Rio Blanco County's median household income of $72,620 sits 3% below the nation's $74,755 median, placing it firmly in the national middle class. The county's oil, gas, and ranching economy delivers stable, middle-income earnings.

Nearly matches Colorado's average

Rio Blanco County's $72,620 median income nearly equals Colorado's state average of $74,792, sitting just 3% below. The county ranks in Colorado's broad middle tier, supported by energy and agricultural sectors.

Regional leader among rural counties

Rio Blanco County ($72,620) leads Phillips County ($60,372), Prowers County ($57,601), and Saguache County ($54,283) by significant margins. Only the mountain resort counties of Pitkin and Routt exceed Rio Blanco's earnings.

Excellent housing affordability

Rio Blanco County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Colorado's best, signaling strong housing affordability. A median home value of $243,400 remains comfortably within reach for median-income households.

Wealth-building in stable energy economy

Households earning $72,620 have solid capacity to save 10-15% of income for retirement and investments. Leverage the county's energy sector stability to build long-term wealth through homeownership, retirement accounts, and diversified investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Rio Blanco County

via CrimeByCounty

Rio Blanco's Impressive Safety Profile

Rio Blanco County is exceptionally safe, earning a safety score of 99.2. Its total crime rate of 491.5 per 100,000 residents is roughly five times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. It remains one of the quietest counties in the Western U.S.

Far Exceeding State Standards

The county's safety score of 99.2 is significantly higher than the Colorado average of 97.1. With a total crime rate of 491.5, Rio Blanco is nearly four times safer than the average Colorado community. Law enforcement maintains an incredibly low-incident environment.

Peaceful Northwest Colorado Living

Rio Blanco County reports much lower crime figures than the state average and nearby industrial or resort hubs. The violent crime rate of 76.8 is among the lowest in the state. This makes it a preferred location for those seeking a low-risk rural lifestyle.

Violent Crime is Rare

Violent crime in Rio Blanco is extremely rare, with a rate of 76.8 per 100,000 people. Property crime is also minimal at 414.7, which is less than a quarter of the national property crime rate. These numbers translate to very few actual crimes occurring in any given month.

Maintaining the Status Quo

In a high-safety environment like Rio Blanco, the biggest risk is complacency. Simple security measures like locking vehicles and home windows can prevent occasional opportunistic theft. Residents play a key role in keeping these crime numbers near zero.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Rio Blanco County

via SchoolsByCounty

Personalized Education in a Rural Setting

Rio Blanco County maintains a small, focused network of five public schools serving 1,200 total students. Two school districts manage this infrastructure, which consists of two elementary schools, two high schools, and one middle school.

Top-Tier Graduation and Solid Investment

The county excels academically with a 93.2% graduation rate, far surpassing the state average of 83.1%. Investment is steady, with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,601 that aligns closely with Colorado state benchmarks.

Meeker and Rangely District Highlights

Meeker School District Re1 is the larger of the two districts, serving 712 students across three schools. There are currently no charter schools in the county, as the two local districts provide all public educational services.

The Quiet Feel of Rural Schools

Every school in the county is classified as rural, creating a consistent and quiet learning environment. The average school size is 240 students, with Meeker Elementary being the largest at 324 students.

A Rural Haven for Academic Excellence

For families seeking a high-performing rural district, Rio Blanco offers some of the best graduation rates in the region. Real estate in Meeker or Rangely places you in a community where every student receives individual attention.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rio Blanco County

via RiskByCounty

Rio Blanco County's risk profile

Rio Blanco County's composite risk score of 37.60 earns a "Very Low" rating and sits slightly below the national average. The county offers relatively safer conditions compared to most American regions.

Below-average risk for Colorado

Rio Blanco County's score of 37.60 sits slightly below Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it among the state's lower-risk counties. The county's natural disaster exposure is more favorable than most Colorado regions.

Safer than nearby counties

Rio Blanco County (37.60) faces lower risk than Pitkin County (54.10) and Prowers County (48.60), but slightly higher than Routt County (33.37). The county's northwest location offers more protection than surrounding areas.

Wildfire is primary concern

Wildfire risk (91.63) dominates Rio Blanco County's hazard profile, ranking among Colorado's highest despite the county's overall low composite score. Earthquake risk (40.65) and flood risk (50.99) present secondary concerns, while tornado risk (3.72) is negligible.

Prioritize wildfire protection

Rio Blanco County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong wildfire coverage and ensure substantial defensible space around properties. Regular vegetation management and home hardening are essential investments in this low-risk but wildfire-exposed county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Rio Blanco County

via WaterByCounty

Low Violation Rate Despite Grade

Rio Blanco County has earned an F grade for drinking water compliance, yet it only recorded 4 health violations in five years. This results in a violation rate of 79.3 per 100,000 residents, which is far below the state average of 292.1. While the grade is low, the actual frequency of health-related issues per person is relatively small.

Heavy Metals Impact Watershed Health

In the 2022 reporting cycle, 33.2% of the county's 298 assessed water bodies were classified as impaired. The top causes for these impairments include arsenic, zinc, and issues with benthic macroinvertebrates. This impairment rate is slightly lower than the Colorado state average of 35.4%.

Extensive Data on Regional Water Quality

Rio Blanco County maintains 58 monitoring sites that have logged 17,971 measurements over the last five years. The focus remains on physical parameters, nutrients, and minor metals. This consistent monitoring helps the county track the heavy metal impairments identified in its rivers and streams.

White River Flow at 45% of Mean

The White River below Boise Creek is currently flowing at 309 cfs, which is 45% of its long-term mean. This below-average flow affects a drainage area of 2,530 square miles and may lead to higher concentrations of minerals like zinc and arsenic. Lower water levels can also impact local aquatic habitats and biological health.

Monitor Metals During Low Flow Periods

Given that zinc and arsenic are primary watershed impairments, residents should be aware of these levels as White River flows remain below average. Reduced river volume can increase the density of these contaminants in source water. Consider periodic testing of tap water to ensure your filtration remains effective against these specific metals.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Rio Blanco County

via WeatherByCounty

Rio Blanco matches Colorado's cool mountain profile

Rio Blanco County's 45.0°F annual average falls 1.5°F below the national median of 46.5°F, placing it squarely in the cool, continental mountain climate zone typical of Colorado's high-elevation interior. With 14.3 inches of annual precipitation, Rio Blanco is slightly drier than the national average of 18.2 inches.

Slightly cooler than Colorado's state average

Rio Blanco's 45.0°F annual temperature sits nearly 1°F below Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, making it one of the state's cooler counties outside the highest mountain ranges. The county's northwest location places it in the transition between plains and mountains.

Mountain edge between plains and high country

Rio Blanco's 45.0°F sits between the warmer plains counties like Prowers (53.5°F) to the east and the much colder San Juan County (34.7°F) to the southwest. It closely matches Routt County's 41.6°F to the north, reflecting similar high-elevation plateau conditions.

Cool summers, cold winters, steady snowfall

Summer temperatures average just 66.9°F with only 29 days exceeding 90°F, while winters plunge to 22.1°F with 47.1 inches of annual snowfall. January averages 19.3°F and July reaches 69.9°F, creating a compressed temperature range typical of higher elevations.

Year-round winter preparedness is the priority

With 47.1 inches of snow annually and winter averages near 22°F, residents need robust heating systems and year-round road maintenance vigilance, particularly in autumn and spring shoulder seasons. The brief, cool summers (66.9°F average) mean air conditioning is minimal, but heavy insulation and weatherproofing are essential for the long, cold winter months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Rio Blanco County

via SoilByCounty

Northwestern Plateau Soil Identity

Taxonomic and pH data for Rio Blanco County are not currently available in this soil dataset. The region is characterized by high plateaus and river valleys which likely harbor diverse soil types. Most soils in this part of the state are naturally alkaline, mirroring the 7.29 Colorado average.

Varied Sedimentary Soil Textures

The proportions of sand, silt, and clay are unrecorded for this county's soil profile. Given the local geology, textures likely range from rocky mountain soils to finer silts in the White River valley. Understanding these local variations is key for successful land management and agriculture.

Measuring Growth Potential

Organic matter and available water capacity figures are missing from the current county survey. For comparison, the state average for organic matter is 2.18%, a goal that can be met locally with consistent amendments. Water retention is vital in this high-altitude desert environment.

Managing Water on the Plateau

Specific drainage classes and hydrologic groups remain unmapped for Rio Blanco County. Water movement in this region is often dictated by the rugged canyon topography and shale-rich geology. Careful observation of seasonal runoff is recommended for any new construction or gardening.

Rugged Growing in Zone 6a

Rio Blanco County is part of USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, supporting a variety of hardy perennials and shrubs. The climate is well-suited for drought-tolerant native plants and short-season vegetables. Start a garden using local mulch to preserve moisture and protect roots from temperature swings.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Rio Blanco County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in Rio Blanco

With a difficulty score of 25.6, Rio Blanco County is one of the toughest places in the nation to maintain a traditional lawn. This score is significantly lower than both the national average of 50.0 and the Colorado average of 37.4.

Dry Air and Drastic Frost Dates

Annual precipitation is a low 14.3 inches, which is well below the 30-50 inches required for optimal lawn health. The county experiences 29 extreme heat days, requiring a delicate balance of irrigation during a relatively short growing season.

Preparing Your Patch of Earth

Standardized soil metrics are unavailable for the county, so local testing is highly recommended before planting. Given the arid climate, adding organic compost can help any soil type retain what little moisture is available.

Navigating a Severe Water Crisis

Rio Blanco is currently under intense pressure, with 95.3% of the county in severe drought. After 53 weeks of continuous drought over the past year, prioritizing water conservation and drought-resistant native grasses is no longer optional.

Choose Resilience Over Tradition

The frost-free window between May 30 and September 22 is tight, so look for fast-establishing, drought-hardy seeds. Zone 6a grasses like Wheatgrass or specialized dry-land mixes are the most likely to survive these extreme local conditions.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rio Blanco County's county score?
Rio Blanco County, Colorado has a composite county score of 65.1 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 Rio Blanco County rank among counties in Colorado?
Rio Blanco County ranks #6 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 Rio Blanco County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Rio Blanco County is $837, with an effective tax rate of 0.34%. This earns Rio Blanco County a tax score of 96.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rio Blanco County?
The median household income in Rio Blanco County, Colorado is $72,620 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rio Blanco County earns an income score of 73/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rio Blanco County, Colorado a good place to live?
Rio Blanco County scores 65.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #6 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Rio Blanco 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 Rio Blanco County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.