Larimer County
CO · Pop. 363,561 · Mixed County
Larimer County sits in Colorado across 2,596 square miles, home to 363,561 people at 140 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $532,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 83-day growing season, average summer highs of 69.1°F and average winter lows of 11.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Estes Park Medical Center is 19.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.1% 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 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.1% 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 83-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Larimer County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 1/100
- Median home price
- $532k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 83 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.9"
- Broadband
- 96.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Estes Park Medical Center, 19.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Larimer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Larimer County?
- Larimer County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 83-day growing season, average summer highs of 69.1°F, and average winter lows of 11.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $532,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Estes Park Medical Center is 19.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals in the county.
Explore Colorado Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Colorado
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The closest counties to Larimer 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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