Eagle County
CO · Pop. 55,374 · Suburban County
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.
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
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
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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More counties in Colorado
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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.