CountyScore

Yuma County

Colorado · CO

#29 in Colorado
72.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Yuma County, Colorado

Yuma Ranks Well Above National Norm

Yuma County's 75.6 composite score significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it among America's more livable counties. The 25.6-point advantage reflects strong fundamentals in taxes and housing affordability.

Above Colorado's State Average

Yuma's 75.6 surpasses the Colorado state average of 71.8 by 3.8 points, ranking it among the state's stronger performers. The county demonstrates competitive overall livability despite income challenges.

Exceptional Affordability Across All Metrics

Yuma achieves a 78.8 cost score with the second-lowest median home value at $215,600 and rent at just $897/month. The 88.9 tax score and 0.475% effective rate further reinforce its position as a highly affordable county.

Income Levels and Incomplete Livability Picture

The 22.6 income score reflects the lowest median household income at $60,051, limiting long-term earning potential. Safety, health, school quality, environmental risk, and water data remain unavailable for comprehensive assessment.

Perfect for Retirees on Fixed Incomes

Yuma County is ideal for retirees and fixed-income households seeking maximum affordability and minimal tax obligations. The county delivers outstanding value for those prioritizing low housing and tax costs over job market opportunities or wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.9Cost78.8SafetyComing SoonHealth68.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk63.2WaterComing Soon
🏛88.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.2
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 Yuma County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Alabama
72.7
Median income: $50,714
Polk County
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72.7
Median income: $49,252
Schley County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $59,647
Wheeler County
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72.7
Median income: $45,262
Jennings County
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72.7
Median income: $68,476

Deep Dives

Yuma County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Yuma County

via TaxByCounty

Yuma's high rate, modest absolute taxes

Yuma County's effective tax rate of 0.475% ranks among Colorado's highest, exceeding the state average of 0.393% by 21%, yet its median property tax of $1,025 remains 62% below the national median of $2,690. The county's lower home values of $215,600 limit absolute tax obligations.

Second-highest rate in Colorado

Yuma County's 0.475% effective rate ranks second only to Weld County's 0.504% among Colorado's 64 counties, placing residents in the state's higher-tax group. Yet the county's rural character keeps median taxes at just $1,025, well below state averages.

Second-highest rate on plains region

Yuma County's 0.475% rate trails only Weld County's 0.504%, exceeding Washington County's 0.408% and Sedgwick County's 0.470%. Despite its elevated effective rate, Yuma's median tax of $1,025 remains lower than Weld's due to modest property values.

Median annual tax: approximately $1,025

On Yuma County's median home value of $215,600, residents pay $1,025 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,186; without, it drops to $852—a $334 annual difference tied to assessment methodology.

High rates justify assessment reviews

Yuma County's above-average effective tax rates make assessment appeals worthwhile for homeowners, particularly those in declining agricultural markets. A successful appeal could yield annual savings in the hundreds.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Yuma County

via CostByCounty

Yuma County delivers deep rural affordability

Yuma County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below both Colorado's 20.2% state average and national benchmarks, delivering exceptional housing affordability. Residents earning $60,051 median income pay just $897 monthly rent—$356 below Colorado's state average—a bargain found only in Colorado's most rural counties.

Among Colorado's most affordable counties

Yuma County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Colorado's lowest, trailing only Sedgwick County in affordability despite lower median income at $60,051. The $897 median rent captures the economics of Colorado's far eastern plains, where housing supply far outpaces demand.

Slightly pricier than Sedgwick plains

Yuma's $897 rent edges above Sedgwick's rock-bottom $728 but falls well short of urban-adjacent Washington County's $991, reflecting its isolation on Colorado's eastern edge. At $215,600, Yuma's median home value sits between Sedgwick ($142,700) and Washington ($218,300), offering modest ownership pathways.

Housing costs nearly identical

Yuma renters pay $897 monthly while homeowners pay $883—virtually identical costs reflecting limited market differentiation in rural plains counties. On a $60,051 median income, both renting (17.9%) and buying (17.6%) remain accessible, making either tenure viable for Yuma households.

For deep rural living on tight budgets

Yuma County suits households earning $60,000-plus who embrace isolated eastern plains life and can access $897 rent or $215,600 home purchases. If you prioritize maximum housing affordability over urban amenities and don't mind significant distance from Colorado's population centers, Yuma offers unbeatable economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yuma County

via IncomeByCounty

Yuma lags national earning levels

Yuma County's median household income of $60,051 falls $14,704 short of the national median of $74,755, placing this agricultural county among lower-earning U.S. communities. The per capita income of $34,352 also trails national averages, indicating limited economic diversity.

Lower earner in Colorado rankings

Yuma County ranks in the lower third of Colorado's 64 counties with a median household income of $60,051, trailing the state average of $74,792 by $14,741. Its per capita income of $34,352 significantly lags Colorado's state average of $43,584.

Rural county with limited earning power

Yuma's median household income of $60,051 exceeds only Sedgwick at $52,833 among these eight counties, falling substantially short of Washington at $65,164. The county reflects the earnings challenges of rural, agriculture-dependent communities across the plains.

Affordability advantage in limited market

Yuma's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% provides solid affordability, with a median home value of $215,600 representing reasonable access to homeownership. The low median income of $60,051 still strains broader household budgeting despite housing affordability.

Maximize affordable housing advantage

Yuma households earning $60,051 benefit from exceptionally affordable housing that creates opportunity for savings despite lower incomes. Focus on building emergency reserves, exploring agricultural or local employment opportunities for income growth, and disciplined long-term investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yuma County

via HealthByCounty

Yuma moderately exceeds U.S. average

Yuma County's life expectancy of 79.1 years surpasses the national average of 76.4 years by 2.7 years. Yet 18.5% of residents report poor or fair health—well above America's 13% average—revealing stark disparities in health outcomes across the county.

Uneven health profile within state

Yuma's 79.1-year life expectancy exceeds Colorado's state average of 78.2 years by 0.9 years, but its 18.5% poor/fair health rate significantly trails state patterns. This mismatch suggests that while some residents live long, many face concentrated health challenges.

Struggling like eastern plains peers

Yuma's 79.1-year life expectancy modestly trails Washington County (74.0 years) and Sedgwick County (73.5 years), but its 18.5% poor/fair health rate matches Sedgwick's—the state's worst. Together, these three eastern plains counties face the most severe health challenges in Colorado.

Crisis-level uninsured rate

Yuma's 13.5% uninsured rate—the state's highest—nearly matches San Juan County and far exceeds Colorado's 9.7% average, leaving one in seven residents without coverage. With 81 primary care providers per 100,000, the county does provide reasonable access, but 112 mental health providers per 100,000 falls well short of demand.

Enroll immediately—don't wait

With 13.5% uninsured, Yuma residents must act urgently to secure coverage and break cycles of poor health. Visit connectforhealthco.com or call 1-855-532-8276 today—free help is available to find Medicaid and marketplace plans that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yuma County

via RiskByCounty

Yuma's risk sits near the national average

Yuma County scores 36.80, earning a Very Low rating but sitting slightly below the national average. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to most U.S. peers.

Moderate risk in Colorado context

Yuma's 36.80 score falls just below the Colorado state average of 40.67, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of state counties. It faces more exposure than its northeast neighbors but less than Summit or Teller.

Riskier than most plain counties

Yuma ranks higher than Sedgwick (6.52) and Washington (11.99), but lower than Weld County (89.15). It represents the moderate-risk profile of Colorado's eastern plains.

Tornadoes and wildfire lead the hazards

Tornado risk (45.32) is Yuma's highest individual hazard score, reflecting its High Plains location and spring storm exposure. Wildfire (60.18) poses moderate threat; flooding (12.95) and earthquakes (16.95) remain lower risks.

Tornado and wildfire protection matter most

Yuma County residents should ensure homeowner's policies include comprehensive wind and hail coverage for tornado season, and verify wildfire damage is covered or add a rider. A weather-safe room or shelter plan is also advisable given the county's tornado exposure.

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.