Chaffee County
CO · Pop. 19,876 · Rural County
Chaffee County sits in Colorado across 1,013 square miles, home to 19,876 people at 19.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, cabbage. The median home price is $599,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.28%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F and average winter lows of 12.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center is 20.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 77.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.28% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 19.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 120-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $599,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Chaffee County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 18/100
- Median home price
- $599k
- Property tax
- 0.28%
- Growing season
- 120 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 10.6"
- Broadband
- 77.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, 20.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chaffee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chaffee County?
- Chaffee County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F, and average winter lows of 12.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, cabbage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $599,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.28%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 77.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center is 20.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Colorado Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Colorado
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The closest counties to Chaffee 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.
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