Gilpin County
CO · Pop. 5,877 · Suburban County
Gilpin County is a suburban county in Colorado, spanning 150 square miles with 5,877 residents at a density of 39.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. A median home price of $513,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.23% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 106-day growing season, average summer highs of 69.9°F and average winter lows of 14.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Foothills Hospital is 18.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.6% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.23% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10% 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.
- A median home price of $513,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The nearest hospital, Foothills Hospital, is 18.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 14.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Gilpin County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $513k
- Property tax
- 0.23%
- Growing season
- 106 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.6"
- Broadband
- 84.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Foothills Hospital, 18.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gilpin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gilpin County?
- Gilpin County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 106-day growing season, average summer highs of 69.9°F, and average winter lows of 14.2°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $513,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.23%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Foothills Hospital is 18.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Colorado Resources
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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.
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