CountyScore

Rio Blanco County

Colorado · CO

#19 in Colorado
74.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Rio Blanco County, Colorado

Rio Blanco delivers above-median livability

Rio Blanco County scores 76.5 out of 100, well above the national median of 50.0 and exceeding Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county combines favorable taxes, reasonable housing, and solid incomes for a rural area.

Strong performer across Colorado counties

With a score of 76.5, Rio Blanco County ranks above the state average of 71.8 and third-highest among the eight counties in this comparison. The county delivers solid livability fundamentals.

Excellent tax rates and moderate costs

Rio Blanco County excels with a tax score of 92.6 (effective rate of 0.344%) and a cost score of 75.8, featuring median home values of $243,400 and rent at $924 per month. The county's income score of 30.8 (median $72,620) is the strongest among these rural counties.

Limited visibility into schools and safety

Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions are not yet available for Rio Blanco County. While the financial fundamentals are strong, a complete livability picture awaits.

Great for those valuing rural stability

Rio Blanco County suits families and individuals seeking rural living with good incomes, low taxes, and reasonable housing costs. The relatively strong median income compared to peers makes it appealing for those with local employment or income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.6Cost75.8SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.8Risk62.4WaterComing Soon
🏛92.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.4
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 Rio Blanco County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Adams County
Idaho
74.6
Median income: $59,286
Lincoln County
Idaho
74.6
Median income: $66,038
McLean County
Kentucky
74.6
Median income: $70,549
Madison County
North Carolina
74.6
Median income: $58,628
Mountrail County
North Dakota
74.6
Median income: $81,292

Deep Dives

Rio Blanco County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Health in Rio Blanco County

via HealthByCounty

Rio Blanco matches national health

At 78.7 years, Rio Blanco County's life expectancy is 2.3 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing it in the upper half nationally. With 16.3% of residents reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 18%—the county maintains a solid health profile.

Slightly above Colorado average

Rio Blanco County's 78.7-year life expectancy edges out Colorado's state average of 78.2 years, a positive signal for this rural county. Its 9.5% uninsured rate sits just barely below Colorado's 9.7% average, indicating relatively inclusive health coverage.

Solid health among rural peers

Rio Blanco County's 78.7-year life expectancy trails Routt County (83.3 years) but exceeds Saguache (77.1 years) and Phillips (76.3 years). Its 9.5% uninsured rate is better than most regional neighbors, positioning it as a relative health success story.

Strong primary care access

Rio Blanco County leads the eight-county cohort with 124 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 244 mental health providers per 100,000. This robust provider network supports preventive care and early treatment, directly contributing to the county's above-average life expectancy.

Sustain Rio Blanco's health momentum

Rio Blanco's strong provider network and near-average uninsured rate are assets to build on. If you're among the 9.5% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or Colorado's Connect for Health to secure coverage and sustain the county's upward health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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

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.