Hinsdale County
CO · Pop. 939 · Rural County
Hinsdale County is a rural county in Colorado, spanning 1,117 square miles with 939 residents at a density of 0.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. The median home price is $439,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.29%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 72-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.2°F and average winter lows of -2.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Pagosa Springs Medical Center is 42.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 52.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.29% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 0.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 4.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 72-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 20.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $439,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 52.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Pagosa Springs Medical Center, is 42.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Hinsdale County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 20/100
- Median home price
- $439k
- Property tax
- 0.29%
- Growing season
- 72 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 20.4"
- Broadband
- 52.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Pagosa Springs Medical Center, 42.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hinsdale County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hinsdale County?
- Hinsdale County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 72-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.2°F, and average winter lows of -2.9°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $439,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.29%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 52.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Pagosa Springs Medical Center is 42.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Hinsdale 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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