countyscore
58
County Score
Property Tax 96.8Disaster Risk 85.8Cost of Living 74.8

County Report Card

About Saguache County, Colorado

Saguache exceeds national benchmarks

Saguache County's composite score of 58.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally. This San Luis Valley county demonstrates above-average livability despite limited economic resources.

Outperforms Colorado's state average

At 58.0, Saguache County exceeds Colorado's state average of 51.2 by nearly 7 points, ranking it in the upper-middle tier statewide. It performs better than most comparable rural mountain counties.

Affordability and risk resilience shine

Saguache County excels in cost affordability (74.8) with a median home value of $200,000 and the lowest rent in this analysis at $746 monthly. Its excellent risk score (85.8) and low tax rate (0.340 percent) provide stability and financial efficiency.

Income and schools lag significantly

Median household income of just $54,283 (23.6 score) represents the county's weakest dimension, accompanied by below-average school performance (34.4). These constraints limit economic opportunity and educational access for families.

Ideal for budget-conscious retirees

Saguache County best suits retirees, remote workers, and those with modest income requirements seeking maximum affordability and low risk. This county rewards those prioritizing financial security and a quiet rural lifestyle over economic dynamism.

Score breakdown

Tax96.8Cost74.8Safety48.9Health43.6Schools34.4Income23.6Risk85.8Water33.8Weather48.1
🏛96.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡48.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤43.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓34.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡85.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧33.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤48.1
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱28
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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40.6
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Alamosa County
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Deep Dives

Saguache County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Saguache County

via TaxByCounty

Saguache ranks among lowest nationally

Saguache County's effective tax rate of 0.340% places it in the bottom 10% nationally, offering homeowners substantially lower tax pressure than most Americans. The median property tax of $679 is just 25% of the national median of $2,690, making Saguache one of the nation's most affordable tax counties.

Below Colorado's state average

Saguache County's 0.340% effective rate falls below Colorado's state average of 0.393%, ranking it in the lower-tax half of the state's 64 counties. The median property tax of $679 is less than 44% of the state median of $1,560.

Second-lowest taxes in the analysis

Saguache County's 0.340% rate is second only to Prowers County (0.327%), making it one of the most tax-friendly places in rural Colorado. The county beats Rio Blanco, Routt, and Rio Grande by meaningful margins.

Median $200,000 home costs $679

A homeowner with the median-valued property of $200,000 in Saguache County pays approximately $679 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that increases to $733; without, it drops to $594.

Even low bills warrant verification

Saguache County homeowners should not assume their assessments are correct simply because tax bills are modest; overassessment occurs at every tax rate. Reviewing your assessed value against comparable properties could eliminate an unnecessary few hundred dollars in annual payments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Saguache County

via CostByCounty

Saguache County Offers Exceptional Value

Saguache County residents spend just 16.5% of income on rent—well below both the state average (20.2%) and national norms—with monthly costs of $746. Despite having Colorado's lowest median household income at $54,283, families here enjoy one of the state's most affordable housing markets.

Rural Colorado at Its Most Affordable

Saguache County ranks third statewide for affordability, delivering genuine housing relief to residents earning the least. The $746 rent and $200,000 median home value reflect a true rural community where housing costs remain proportional to local incomes.

Saguache Beats Rio Grande Slightly

Saguache's $746 rent matches Rio Grande County's affordability level, though with slightly lower home values ($200K vs. $215K). Both counties compete as the region's budget champions, with Saguache appealing to those seeking maximum cost reduction in the San Luis Valley.

Housing Takes Just 16.5% of Income

With a median household income of $54,283, Saguache residents allocate 16.5% to rent and 14.9% to ownership—exceptionally low ratios. The remarkable gap between rent ($746) and ownership ($675) means homeownership is actually cheaper, making the county accessible for first-time buyers.

Saguache: Lowest-Cost Colorado Living

Saguache County delivers Colorado's most affordable housing combined with authentic mountain-valley living—rents under $750 and ownership under $700 monthly. Retirees, remote workers, and those priced out of mainstream markets should seriously compare Saguache's exceptional value proposition.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Saguache County

via IncomeByCounty

Saguache County struggles nationally

Saguache County's median household income of $54,283 falls 27% short of the nation's $74,755 median, ranking among America's lowest-income counties. The county's ranching and agricultural economy reflects deep structural economic challenges.

Colorado's lowest-earning county

Saguache County ranks dead last among Colorado counties with a $54,283 median income, 27% below the state average of $74,792. The county faces severe economic headwinds requiring strategic intervention.

Significantly trails all regional peers

Saguache County ($54,283) falls well below Phillips County ($60,372), Prowers County ($57,601), and Rio Grande County ($62,166). The county lags every other region in Colorado by substantial margins.

Best affordability amid income crisis

Saguache County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio provides exceptional housing affordability, the county's strongest economic advantage. A median home value of $200,000 remains highly accessible, though low incomes limit buying power.

Overcoming economic hardship

Households earning $54,283 face real constraints but should still target small emergency savings and explore available assistance programs. Investigate local nonprofit financial counseling, workforce development resources, and employer benefits packages designed to support low-to-moderate income families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Saguache County

via CrimeByCounty

High National Safety Ranking

Saguache County features a high safety score of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 1,146.6 per 100,000 people is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This suggests a very low frequency of criminal activity relative to the rest of the country.

Above Average Safety for Colorado

The county's safety score of 98.2 outpaces the Colorado average of 97.1. However, since only one agency reports these numbers, residents should view the data as a partial view of the county's safety landscape. Despite this limitation, the reported total crime rate of 1,146.6 is well below the state average.

Quiet Rural Atmosphere

Saguache County maintains a lower-than-average crime profile for the San Luis Valley. Its violent crime rate of 124.0 is significantly lower than the Colorado average of 232.1. This contributes to a sense of security common in more isolated rural communities.

Analyzing the Reported Incidents

Violent crime is rare, occurring at a rate of 124.0 per 100,000 residents. The majority of reported incidents are property-related, with a rate of 1,022.6. These figures represent a relatively low number of total incidents due to the county's small population.

Maintaining Awareness in Rural Areas

Because crime data is reported by only one agency, community awareness is especially important in Saguache County. Simple measures like driveway alarms and good exterior lighting can enhance rural home security. Neighbors watching out for each other is the best defense in this small community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Saguache County

via HealthByCounty

Saguache County below average

At 77.1 years, Saguache County's life expectancy is 0.7 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but masks underlying health challenges. With 21.9% of residents reporting poor or fair health—well above the national average of 18%—the county struggles with significant disease burden despite stable overall life expectancy.

Middling health within Colorado

Saguache County's 77.1-year life expectancy is 1.1 years below Colorado's state average of 78.2 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Its 12.3% uninsured rate exceeds Colorado's 9.7% average by 2.6 percentage points, leaving a meaningful portion of the population underprotected.

High health burden despite coverage

Saguache County's 77.1-year life expectancy sits between Phillips County (76.3 years) and Rio Blanco (78.7 years), but its 21.9% poor/fair health rate is the second-highest among all eight counties. Its 12.3% uninsured rate places it among the less-covered counties, compounding health challenges.

Limited mental health resources

Saguache County has 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and just 120 mental health providers per 100,000—the second-lowest mental health density in the cohort. With 12.3% uninsured and limited specialized care, residents face barriers to addressing the county's high burden of poor health.

Get insured, get care

Saguache County's 21.9% poor/fair health rate and 12.3% uninsured rate demand urgent action on coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Colorado's Connect for Health at 1-855-752-6749 to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace plans—your pathway to the primary and mental health care Saguache needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Saguache County

via SchoolsByCounty

Rural Schools Serving the San Luis Valley

Saguache County features eight public schools serving a total of 1,007 students across three districts. The system is unique, with only one traditional elementary and middle school, but three high schools and three 'other' grade configurations.

Investing in Success Despite Challenges

While the graduation rate of 70.8% is below state targets, the county invests $8,211 per pupil, which is higher than the Colorado state average. This funding supports a student-to-teacher ratio that is likely very low given the small total enrollment.

Center Consolidated and Mountain Valley Districts

Center Consolidated School District No. 26 Jt. is the largest provider with five schools and 607 students. One charter school provides additional choice for families, representing 12.5% of the county's educational options.

Purely Rural Education with Tiny Classrooms

Every single school in Saguache County is classified as rural, offering a consistent agricultural-region learning environment. The average school size is just 126 students, with Haskin Elementary being the largest at 278.

Discover Rural Living and Small Schools

Saguache County is ideal for families who prefer tiny, rural school environments where every student is known. Look for homes in Center or Moffat to join these community-oriented school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Saguache County

via RiskByCounty

Saguache County's low-risk standing

Saguache County's composite risk score of 14.25 earns a "Very Low" rating and sits substantially below the national average. The county offers among the lowest natural disaster exposure in the United States.

Colorado's second-safest county

Saguache County's score of 14.25 ranks second-lowest in Colorado, well below the state average of 40.67. Residents experience natural disaster exposure significantly better than the Colorado norm.

Safest in its region

Saguache County (14.25) faces dramatically lower risk than Rio Grande County (45.77) and Rio Blanco County (37.60), and is comparable to Phillips County (12.34). The county's south-central location offers exceptional protection.

Wildfire poses secondary risk

Wildfire risk (64.12) is Saguache County's primary hazard, though still below state average for that category. Flood risk (17.46), earthquake risk (37.05), and tornado risk (7.95) all remain minimal.

Standard coverage with attention

Saguache County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wildfire coverage as a sensible precaution. The county's low overall risk profile allows for more basic protection strategies than higher-hazard areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Saguache County

via WeatherByCounty

High desert with modest precipitation, cold winters

Saguache County's 41.5°F annual average is 5.0°F cooler than the national median of 46.5°F, while its 11.9 inches of annual precipitation falls well below the national average of 18.2 inches. This high-altitude San Luis Valley location creates a cold, dry climate with significant snowfall concentrated in winter months.

Among Colorado's coldest and driest counties

Saguache's 41.5°F ranks it among Colorado's coldest counties, sitting 4.5°F below the state average of 46.0°F, with only 11.9 inches of precipitation—among the state's lowest. The county's 9,000+ foot valley elevation and isolated location create these extreme conditions.

Slightly warmer and wetter than Rio Grande

Saguache's 41.5°F and 11.9 inches closely match Rio Grande County's 42.2°F and 8.7 inches to the south, making both San Luis Valley counties among Colorado's coldest and driest. However, Saguache receives 3.2 more inches of precipitation and is slightly warmer than its southern neighbor.

Extreme cold, minimal heat, heavy mountain snow

Saguache records only 5 days per year above 90°F while winters average 20.5°F with January at 18.7°F and July at just 63.5°F. The county receives 82.0 inches of annual snowfall, with summer averaging a cool 61.3°F—creating a compressed warm season and prolonged winter.

Cold desert demands efficient heating and water conservation

With winter temperatures near 21°F and 82 inches of annual snowfall, residents need substantial heating capacity, weatherproofing, and snow management systems for a 6-month winter season. The 11.9 inches of precipitation and only 5 extreme heat days annually mean water conservation is critical, but air conditioning is rarely necessary.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Saguache County

via SoilByCounty

Ancient Lakebed Soil Origins

Saguache County occupies the northern San Luis Valley, though specific pH and taxonomic data are not currently available. These soils developed in a high-altitude basin, often resulting in unique mineral profiles. They generally follow the broader Colorado trend of being slightly alkaline.

Diverse Valley and Mountain Textures

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded for this county in the provided survey. The landscape transitions from the sandy valley floor to the rocky slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Such varied terrain means your soil texture will depend entirely on your specific location.

Fertility in a High-Desert Basin

Data for organic matter and available water capacity are currently unlisted compared to the state's 2.18% organic matter average. High-altitude sun can quickly deplete surface moisture, making fertility management a top priority. Regular additions of compost can significantly improve the growing potential of these basin soils.

Closed-Basin Hydrology Patterns

Hydrologic groups and drainage classes remain unmapped for Saguache County. As part of a closed basin, water management here is distinct from other Colorado regions where rivers flow to the sea. Understanding local groundwater levels is essential for both farming and residential development.

Cold-Hardy Growth in Zone 5a

With a USDA Hardiness Zone of 5a, Saguache County requires plants that can handle a short growing season and cold nights. Quinoa, potatoes, and hardy greens are well-suited to this unique environment. Use row covers and mulching to extend your season and protect your plants.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Saguache County

via LawnByCounty

Low Scores in Saguache County

Saguache County is a difficult place for lawns, with a score of 28.0 that falls far below the national average. Homeowners in this Zone 5a region face a combination of low moisture and a very short growing window.

Limited Rain and Cool Summers

The county receives just 11.9 inches of annual precipitation, making it significantly drier than the state average. With only 5 extreme heat days and 1324 growing degree days, grass grows slowly and requires constant attention to moisture.

Managing Soil in the San Luis Valley

Regional soil data is limited, though the area is known for diverse valley floor compositions. Improving your soil's organic content is the best way to help lawns survive on the minimal natural rainfall available in this high-altitude desert.

Enduring a Year of Dryness

Saguache has spent 53 weeks in drought over the last year, with 70.1% of the county currently abnormally dry. To maintain any turf, deep and infrequent watering is essential to encourage deep root growth that can withstand these long dry periods.

Work Within a Short Summer

The frost-free period begins May 26 and lasts until September 28, providing a modest 125-day growing season. Select cool-season grass varieties that can handle the cold 18.7°F January average while maximizing the mild July sun.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Saguache County's county score?
Saguache County, Colorado has a composite county score of 58 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 Saguache County rank among counties in Colorado?
Saguache County ranks #20 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 Saguache County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Saguache County is $679, with an effective tax rate of 0.34%. This earns Saguache County a tax score of 96.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Saguache County?
The median household income in Saguache County, Colorado is $54,283 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Saguache County earns an income score of 23.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Saguache County, Colorado a good place to live?
Saguache County scores 58/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Saguache 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 Saguache County with other counties side by side.

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🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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