Jackson County
CO · Pop. 1,422 · Rural County
Jackson County sits in Colorado across 1,614 square miles, home to 1,422 people at 0.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay. A median home price of $250,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.21% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 42-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.8°F and average winter lows of 4.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center is 29 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 61.5% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.21% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 0.9 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
- A 42-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 61.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, is 29 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 18.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Jackson County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 29/100
- Median home price
- $250k
- Property tax
- 0.21%
- Growing season
- 42 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.4"
- Broadband
- 61.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, 29 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jackson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jackson County?
- Jackson County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 42-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.8°F, and average winter lows of 4.7°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $250,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.21%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 61.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center is 29 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Colorado Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Colorado
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The closest counties to Jackson 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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