CountyScore

Summit County

Colorado · CO

#50 in Colorado
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Summit County, Colorado

Summit Exceeds National Average

Summit County's 64.5 score surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 14.5 points, placing it solidly in the upper-half of American counties. The score reflects the county's appeal as a destination community with strong economic dimensions.

Below Colorado's Average Despite Income Strength

Summit's 64.5 falls short of the Colorado state average of 71.8 by 7.3 points, despite boasting the highest median household income ($106,255) in this group. Housing costs significantly weigh on the overall score despite strong earnings.

Highest Incomes in the County Group

Summit leads with a 52.7 income score and median household income of $106,255, nearly $13,000 above the next-highest county. The 93.5 tax score ensures significant take-home earnings despite Colorado's overall tax competitiveness.

Housing Costs Are Prohibitively High

The 45.7 cost score reflects the lowest affordability index here, with median home values at $850,700 and monthly rent at $1,851. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving other livability factors unmeasured.

For High-Earning Mountain Professionals

Summit County suits affluent households and professionals earning six figures who prioritize lifestyle and mountain living over housing affordability. The county works best for remote workers, executives, and investors who can absorb premium real estate costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93.5Cost45.7SafetyComing SoonHealth87.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome52.7Risk39.8WaterComing Soon
🏛93.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠45.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼52.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤87.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.8
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 Summit County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
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68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
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68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
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68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Sussex County
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68.1
Median income: $78,162

Deep Dives

Summit County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Summit County

via TaxByCounty

Summit's premium homes, moderate tax rates

Summit County's effective tax rate of 0.310% sits below Colorado's state average of 0.393%, placing residents in the bottom 30% nationally for tax burden despite median home values of $850,700—three times the national average. The county's median tax of $2,641 approaches the national median despite its lower rate.

Mid-range rate for Colorado's luxury market

Summit County ranks in Colorado's lower half by effective tax rate at 0.310%, yet produces the highest absolute tax bills among these eight counties at $2,641 median. This reflects the county's status as a premier mountain resort destination with exceptionally high property values.

Highest taxes in the mountain west region

Summit County's median tax of $2,641 far exceeds neighboring Teller County at $1,583 and San Miguel County at $1,599, despite Teller's higher effective rate. Summit's ultra-high property values create the region's largest absolute tax obligations.

Median annual tax: nearly $2,650

On Summit County's median home value of $850,700, residents pay $2,641 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure drops to $2,527; without one, it rises to $2,951—reflecting the county's high-value market dynamics.

High-value properties merit appeals

Summit County's affluent homeowners should prioritize property assessment appeals, as small percentage reductions on million-dollar properties yield substantial annual savings. Even a 1% reduction in assessed value saves approximately $85 yearly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Summit County

via CostByCounty

Summit County's premium mountain prices

Summit County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Colorado's 20.2% state average despite earning a top-tier $106,255 median household income. Renters pay $1,851 monthly—48% above the national median—a premium justified by world-class skiing and mountain prestige.

Among Colorado's pricier counties

Summit County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Colorado's 20.2% average, placing it among the state's more expensive housing markets despite stellar household incomes. The $1,851 median rent runs $598 above the state average, reflecting Summit's status as a resort-driven economy.

Summit commands the mountain premium

Summit's $1,851 rent towers over San Juan ($1,076) and San Miguel ($1,173), nearly double what nearby mountain counties charge for housing. The $850,700 median home value is the highest in this eight-county set, capturing the destination desirability and limited land supply that define Colorado's premier ski resort county.

High earners, high housing costs

Summit renters pay $1,851 monthly while homeowners face $1,874—virtually identical costs as the county attracts high-income households willing to pay for mountain access. At $106,255 median income, both renting and buying consume roughly 21% of household earnings, requiring six-figure salaries to maintain comfortable budgets.

For serious mountain pursuits only

Summit County demands the highest income threshold in this group: plan to earn at least $106,255 annually to comfortably afford $1,851 rent or an $850,700 home purchase. If ski culture and high-altitude living justify the premium for you, Summit delivers unmatched mountain access—but only for well-compensated relocators.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Summit County

via IncomeByCounty

Summit commands top earning tier nationally

Summit County's median household income of $106,255 ranks well above the national median of $74,755, placing this mountain community in the top earning tier across the United States. The county's per capita income of $58,219 also substantially exceeds the national average, reflecting consistently strong earnings.

Colorado's highest-earning county

Summit County ranks at the very top of Colorado's 64 counties with a median household income of $106,255, towering $31,463 above the state average of $74,792. Its per capita income of $58,219 substantially exceeds Colorado's state average of $43,584.

Dramatically outearns comparable counties

Summit's median household income of $106,255 far exceeds every comparable mountain county, outpacing San Miguel at $80,117 by $26,138 and San Juan at $73,889 by $32,366. This premium reflects Summit's status as an elite ski resort destination with high-wage employment.

High income cannot offset housing costs

Despite exceptional earnings at $106,255, Summit's rent-to-income ratio of 20.9% is elevated for the region, reflecting a median home value of $850,700. Households here dedicate the highest percentage of income to housing among these eight counties, requiring sophisticated financial planning.

Premium income demands premium strategy

Summit households earning $106,255 occupy the top earning tier, providing exceptional capacity for wealth accumulation beyond housing costs. Implement comprehensive financial planning including tax optimization, diversified investment strategies, and estate planning tailored to high-net-worth households.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Summit County

via HealthByCounty

Summit achieves extraordinary longevity

Summit County residents average 92.4 years of life—nearly 16 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, making it a global outlier in human longevity. Just 12.8% report poor or fair health, well below America's 13% average, reflecting sustained wellness across the population.

Colorado's longevity leader

At 92.4 years, Summit County's life expectancy exceeds Colorado's state average of 78.2 years by a remarkable 14.2 years. This achievement positions Summit among the world's highest life-expectancy regions, a distinction shared by only a handful of U.S. counties.

Regional health outlier

Summit's 92.4-year life expectancy dwarfs San Miguel County (86.5 years) and dramatically outpaces state peers like Teller County (78.4 years) and Weld County (78.8 years). The county stands alone in Colorado—and among America—for sustained, exceptional longevity.

Excellent coverage and provider access

Summit's 10.4% uninsured rate is just slightly above Colorado's 9.7%, ensuring broad healthcare access despite mountain terrain. The county supports 81 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an impressive 417 mental health providers per 100,000, enabling comprehensive preventive and behavioral health care.

Maintain coverage to sustain success

Summit's exceptional health outcomes stem partly from strong insurance enrollment and healthcare engagement—keep that momentum by reviewing coverage annually. Visit connectforhealthco.com to confirm your plan meets your family's current needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Summit County

via RiskByCounty

Summit's mountain hazards elevate national risk ranking

Summit County scores 60.21, earning a Relatively Low rating but placing it significantly above the national average. The county's high elevation and mountain geography drive exposure to multiple hazard types.

Higher risk than most Colorado counties

Summit's 60.21 score exceeds Colorado's state average of 40.67, ranking it in the upper half of Colorado counties. Its mountain terrain and ski-resort infrastructure create unique hazard concentrations.

Riskier than most mountain neighbors

Summit ranks higher than San Juan (10.69) and San Miguel (19.12), but lower than Weld County (89.15). It faces notably higher exposure than surrounding rural counties due to elevation and topography.

Flooding and wildfire top the list

Flood risk (65.43) is Summit's dominant hazard, driven by snowmelt and mountain runoff, followed by wildfire (53.56) and earthquake (46.95). Tornado risk remains lower at 21.79.

Flood and wildfire coverage are critical

Summit County residents should prioritize flood insurance—standard homeowner's policies exclude flooding, and mountain properties face substantial snowmelt and runoff risk. Wildfire coverage is equally essential; ensure your policy includes fire damage or add a rider, particularly if you're near forested areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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