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Park County

CO · Pop. 17,739 · Rural County

4/100Homestead Score

Park County sits in Colorado across 2,194 square miles, home to 17,739 people at 8.1 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage. A median home price of $489,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 84-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.5°F and average winter lows of -3.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Vincent General Hospital District is 32.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 27% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.34%
Growing Season: 84 days
Broadband: 27%
Density: 8.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.34% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • At 8.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 7.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 84-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 10.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • A median home price of $489,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • Broadband reaches only 27% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.

At a glance

Park County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
4/100
Median home price
$489k
Property tax
0.34%
Growing season
84 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
10.9"
Broadband
27%
Nearest hospital
St Vincent General Hospital District, 32.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.34%
Median Household Income$95,450
Poverty Rate7.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$489K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season84 days
Annual Rainfall10.9 inches
Avg Summer High73.5°F
Avg Winter Low-3.9°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado2/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSt Vincent General Hospital District (32.6 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage27%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Park County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Park County?
Park County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 84-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.5°F, and average winter lows of -3.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $489,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.34%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 27% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
St Vincent General Hospital District is 32.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Park 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.