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Grand County

CO · Pop. 15,794 · Rural County

40/100Homestead Score

Grand County, Colorado covers 1,846 square miles with a population of 15,794 and a density of 8.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage. The median home price is $507,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.35%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 81-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.3°F and average winter lows of 0.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Middle Park Medical Center - Granby is 10.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.35%
Growing Season: 81 days
Broadband: 93.5%
Density: 8.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.35% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Middle Park Medical Center - Granby, with an emergency room, is just 10.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 8.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.

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 81-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 14.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • A median home price of $507,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.

At a glance

Grand County, CO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
40/100
Median home price
$507k
Property tax
0.35%
Growing season
81 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
14.6"
Broadband
93.5%
Nearest hospital
Middle Park Medical Center - Granby, 10.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.35%
Median Household Income$84,558
Poverty Rate9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$507K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season81 days
Annual Rainfall14.6 inches
Avg Summer High75.3°F
Avg Winter Low0.9°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado3/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMiddle Park Medical Center - Granby (10.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Grand County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Grand County?
Grand County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 81-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.3°F, and average winter lows of 0.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $507,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.35%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Middle Park Medical Center - Granby is 10.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Grand 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.