Denver County
CO · Pop. 713,734 · Urban County
Denver County, Colorado covers 153 square miles with a population of 713,734 and a density of 4664.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on lettuce, greens. The median home price is $587,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.44%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F and average winter lows of 17.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. University of Colorado Hospital Authority is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.44% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- University of Colorado Hospital Authority, with an emergency room, is just 2.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 11.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 156-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Denver County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 25/100
- Median home price
- $587k
- Property tax
- 0.44%
- Growing season
- 156 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.6"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- University of Colorado Hospital Authority, 2.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Denver County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Denver County?
- Denver County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F, and average winter lows of 17.9°F. The established crops are lettuce, greens.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $587,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.44%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- University of Colorado Hospital Authority is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 16 hospitals 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 Denver 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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