Skip to content

Clear Creek County

CO · Pop. 9,358 · Rural County

16/100Homestead Score

Clear Creek County, Colorado covers 395 square miles with a population of 9,358 and a density of 23.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. A median home price of $573,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.38% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 106-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.8°F and average winter lows of 13.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Anthony Summit Medical Center is 23.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 71.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.38%
Growing Season: 106 days
Broadband: 71.5%
Density: 23.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.38% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • At 23.7 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 6.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 106-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 18.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • A median home price of $573,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • Broadband reaches only 71.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.

At a glance

Clear Creek County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
16/100
Median home price
$573k
Property tax
0.38%
Growing season
106 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
18.4"
Broadband
71.5%
Nearest hospital
St Anthony Summit Medical Center, 23.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.38%
Median Household Income$96,667
Poverty Rate6.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$573K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season106 days
Annual Rainfall18.4 inches
Avg Summer High72.8°F
Avg Winter Low13.5°F

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado2/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSt Anthony Summit Medical Center (23.2 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage71.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.6%

Homesteading in Clear Creek County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Clear Creek County?
Clear Creek County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 106-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.8°F, and average winter lows of 13.5°F.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $573,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.38%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 71.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
St Anthony Summit Medical Center is 23.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

Explore Colorado Resources

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

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Clear Creek 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.