Las Animas County
CO · Pop. 14,392 · Rural County
Las Animas County is a rural county in Colorado, spanning 4,773 square miles with 14,392 residents at a density of 3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $215,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.24% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F and average winter lows of 18.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mt San Rafael Hospital is 26.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 56.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.24% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $50,408 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 13.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 56.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Mt San Rafael Hospital, is 26.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Las Animas County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 35/100
- Median home price
- $215k
- Property tax
- 0.24%
- Growing season
- 152 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 13.8"
- Broadband
- 56.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Mt San Rafael Hospital, 26.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Las Animas County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Las Animas County?
- Las Animas County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F, and average winter lows of 18.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $215,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.24%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 56.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mt San Rafael Hospital is 26.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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 Las Animas 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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