Montrose County
CO · Pop. 43,272 · Rural County
Montrose County, Colorado covers 2,241 square miles with a population of 43,272 and a density of 19.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $358,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.36%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F and average winter lows of 14.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Montrose Memorial Hospital is 22.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood 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 0.36% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 19.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 11.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 115-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $358,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Montrose County, CO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $358k
- Property tax
- 0.36%
- Growing season
- 115 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.4"
- Broadband
- 96.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Montrose Memorial Hospital, 22.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Montrose County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Montrose County?
- Montrose County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F, and average winter lows of 14.3°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $358,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.36%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Montrose Memorial Hospital is 22.1 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Colorado
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The closest counties to Montrose 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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