CountyScore

Washington County

Colorado · CO

#9 in Colorado
76.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Washington County, Colorado

Washington County Outperforms Nationally

Washington County scores 77.0, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and among the stronger performers in this group. This 27-point advantage reflects strong relative livability across measured economic and fiscal metrics.

Outpaces Colorado's State Average

Washington County's 77.0 exceeds the Colorado state average of 71.8, positioning it among the state's better-performing counties. The 5.2-point margin reflects competitive advantages in housing and tax dimensions.

Affordability and Low Tax Burden

Washington delivers a 79.5 cost score with median home value at $218,300 and rent at just $991/month, among the most affordable in the group. The 90.8 tax score and 0.408% effective tax rate reinforce its budget-friendly profile.

Limited Income Growth Potential

The 25.9 income score reflects the second-lowest median household income at $65,164, limiting earning power despite strong cost advantages. Safety, health, school quality, environmental risk, and water data remain unavailable.

Best for Cost-Conscious Rural Families

Washington County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and taxes over job market dynamism and higher wages. The county works best for those comfortable with rural living and modest incomes seeking maximum financial stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.8Cost79.5SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk88WaterComing Soon
🏛90.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88
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 Washington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Big Stone County
Minnesota
76.4
Median income: $65,475
Keya Paha County
Nebraska
76.4
Median income: $60,313
Miner County
South Dakota
76.4
Median income: $72,589
Niobrara County
Wyoming
76.4
Median income: $48,987
Clay County
Alabama
76.5
Median income: $51,852

Deep Dives

Washington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Washington County

via TaxByCounty

Washington's above-average rate, low taxes

Washington County's effective tax rate of 0.408% exceeds Colorado's state average of 0.393%, yet its median property tax of $890 falls 67% below the national median of $2,690. The county's modest median home value of $218,300 explains this apparent contradiction.

Slightly above average in Colorado

Washington County ranks in Colorado's upper half by effective tax rate at 0.408%, 4% above the state average. However, residents pay only $890 in median annual taxes, reflecting the county's rural character and lower property values.

Moderate rate on eastern plains

Washington County's 0.408% rate sits between Sedgwick County's 0.470% and Yuma County's 0.475%, positioning it as the lowest-taxing plains county in this comparison. All three counties impose modest absolute taxes despite varying effective rates.

Median annual tax: under $900

On Washington County's median home value of $218,300, residents pay just $890 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $955; without, it drops to $815—a modest $140 annual difference.

Appeal assessments if values decline

Washington County homeowners should verify assessments, particularly those whose properties have declined in market value. A successful appeal can yield savings that compound year after year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington County

via CostByCounty

Washington County stays below national averages

Washington County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below both Colorado's 20.2% state average and national affordability norms. Residents earning $65,164 median income pay $991 monthly rent—$262 less than Colorado's state average—securing solid rental affordability.

Well-positioned in Colorado's rankings

Washington County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio places it well below Colorado's 20.2% average, ranking among the state's more affordable counties despite the eastern plains location. The combination of modest rents ($991) and moderate income ($65,164) delivers above-average housing security.

Plains pricing with balanced incomes

Washington's $991 rent sits between Sedgwick's rock-bottom $728 and Yuma's $897, reflecting its position as a mid-level plains county. With a $65,164 median income higher than Sedgwick ($52,833) but lower than mountain counties, Washington offers steadier economics than its rural neighbors.

Balanced housing cost across tenures

Washington renters and homeowners face nearly identical monthly costs: $991 rent versus $720 ownership, with ownership holding a clear affordability advantage at 13% of income. For a $65,164 household, both paths remain accessible, though homeownership at $218,300 requires down payment capacity renters lack.

Solid affordability for moderate earners

Washington County works well for households earning $65,000-plus seeking rural Colorado living with strong housing affordability—whether $991 rent or $218,300 home purchases. If you value plains proximity to Denver and agricultural heritage over mountain access, Washington delivers reliable economics unavailable in resort counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington County below national median

Washington County's median household income of $65,164 falls $9,591 short of the national median of $74,755, placing this rural county in the lower-middle tier of American earning power. The per capita income of $36,138 also trails national averages, reflecting limited economic opportunities.

Below-average earner in Colorado

Washington County ranks in the lower half of Colorado's 64 counties with a median household income of $65,164, trailing the state average of $74,792 by $9,628. Its per capita income of $36,138 significantly lags Colorado's state average of $43,584.

Mid-range among rural counties

Washington's median household income of $65,164 exceeds Sedgwick at $52,833 and Yuma at $60,051, but falls short of San Juan at $73,889 and higher-earning counties. The county occupies the middle band of rural Colorado earnings.

Housing remains accessible and affordable

Washington's rent-to-income ratio of 18.3% reflects solid housing affordability, with a median home value of $218,300 well-aligned with the $65,164 median income. This favorable housing-to-income ratio provides households flexibility compared to mountain county peers.

Build wealth through disciplined saving

Washington households earning $65,164 benefit from moderate housing costs that preserve capital for savings and investment. Establish automatic savings plans, maximize available retirement benefits, and explore income diversification strategies to strengthen long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Washington County

via HealthByCounty

Washington faces above-average challenges

Washington County's life expectancy of 74.0 years falls 2.4 years short of the national average of 76.4 years. With 15.1% of residents in poor or fair health—well above America's 13% average—the county grapples with concentrated health challenges.

Trailing Colorado health benchmarks

Washington's 74.0-year life expectancy lags Colorado's state average of 78.2 years by 4.2 years, placing it among the state's least healthy counties. The 15.1% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Colorado's typical patterns, indicating sustained health disparities.

Struggling vs surrounding counties

Washington's 74.0-year life expectancy trails nearby Sedgwick County (73.5 years) and lags significantly behind Yuma County (79.1 years). The county's 15.1% poor/fair health rate mirrors Yuma's struggles, suggesting shared challenges across Colorado's eastern plains.

Moderate coverage, sparse providers

Washington's 9.5% uninsured rate sits just below Colorado's state average of 9.7%, leaving nearly 1 in 10 residents uninsured. The county provides only 62 primary care providers per 100,000 and 62 mental health providers per 100,000—among Colorado's lowest ratios—straining access to essential care.

Act now on health insurance

Washington residents must prioritize coverage enrollment given limited local providers and health challenges. Visit connectforhealthco.com or call 1-855-532-8276 to access Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community health resources designed for rural Colorado.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington County

via RiskByCounty

Washington County's risk is well below national average

Washington County scores 11.99 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it safely below the national average. The county ranks among America's safest jurisdictions.

Among Colorado's lowest-risk counties

Washington's 11.99 score is less than 30% of the Colorado state average of 40.67, ranking it in the safest tier statewide. Only Sedgwick County (6.52) rates lower across the state.

Safest county in the northeast region

Washington outranks Yuma County (36.80) and most other neighbors, trailing only Sedgwick. It represents one of the High Plains' most secure disaster risk profiles.

Wildfire and tornado pose modest threats

Wildfire (60.46) and tornado (32.22) represent Washington's highest individual risk scores, though both remain moderate in statewide context. Flood and earthquake risks are minimal.

Standard coverage meets most needs

Washington County's low overall risk means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides adequate protection for most hazards. However, reviewing wind and hail coverage for tornado exposure is prudent, especially in spring and early summer.

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.