El Paso County
CO · Pop. 736,008 · Mixed County
El Paso County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Colorado, spanning 2,126 square miles with 736,008 residents at a density of 346.2 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $431,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.41%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F and average winter lows of 18.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Centura Health - St Francis Medical Center is 12.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 8.5% 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 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
El Paso County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 13/100
- Median home price
- $431k
- Property tax
- 0.41%
- Growing season
- 152 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.5"
- Broadband
- 99.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Centura Health - St Francis Medical Center, 12.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in El Paso County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in El Paso County?
- El Paso County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F, and average winter lows of 18.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $431,000 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 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Centura Health - St Francis Medical Center is 12.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 11 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 El Paso 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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