Skip to content
Submit

Baca County

CO · Pop. 3,460 · Rural County

51/100Homestead Score

Baca County sits in Colorado across 2,555 square miles, home to 3,460 people at 1.4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, sorghum, corn. A median home price of $122,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.41% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F and average winter lows of 19°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Southeast Colorado Hospital is 7.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 3.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.41%
Growing Season: 166 days
Broadband: 3.3%
Density: 1.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $122,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Southeast Colorado Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 7.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, sorghum, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 1.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Annual rainfall of just 17.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • Broadband reaches only 3.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • A poverty rate of 24.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Baca County, CO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
51/100
Median home price
$122k
Property tax
0.41%
Growing season
166 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
17.6"
Broadband
3.3%
Nearest hospital
Southeast Colorado Hospital, 7.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.41%
Median Household Income$40,380
Poverty Rate24.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$122K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season166 days
Annual Rainfall17.6 inches
Avg Summer High88.3°F
Avg Winter Low19°F
Top CropsWheat, Sorghum, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado3/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSoutheast Colorado Hospital (7.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage3.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Baca County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Baca County?
Baca County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F, and average winter lows of 19°F. The established crops are wheat, sorghum, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $122,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.41%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 3.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Southeast Colorado Hospital is 7.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

Explore Colorado Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Colorado

All Colorado counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Baca County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.