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Eagle County

CO · Pop. 55,374 · Suburban County

38/100Homestead Score

Eagle County, Colorado covers 1,684 square miles with a population of 55,374 and a density of 32.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, tomatoes. The median home price is $815,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.41%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 75-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.4°F and average winter lows of 6.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Vail Health Hospital is 16.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.41%
Growing Season: 75 days
Broadband: 96%
Density: 32.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 96% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 8.3% 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 75-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • A median home price of $815,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • Average winter lows of 6.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
38/100
Median home price
$815k
Property tax
0.41%
Growing season
75 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
23.1"
Broadband
96%
Nearest hospital
Vail Health Hospital, 16.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.41%
Median Household Income$103,174
Poverty Rate8.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$815K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season75 days
Annual Rainfall23.1 inches
Avg Summer High73.4°F
Avg Winter Low6.7°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Tomatoes

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado2/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalVail Health Hospital (16.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Eagle County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Eagle County?
Eagle County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 75-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.4°F, and average winter lows of 6.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, tomatoes.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $815,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.41%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Vail Health Hospital is 16.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Eagle 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.