Phillips County
CO · Pop. 4,491 · Rural County
Phillips County is a rural county in Colorado, spanning 688 square miles with 4,491 residents at a density of 6.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, wheat, millet. The median home price is $255,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.49%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F and average winter lows of 13.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Melissa Memorial Hospital is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.49% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Melissa Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, wheat, millet means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 146-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 13.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Phillips County, CO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $255k
- Property tax
- 0.49%
- Growing season
- 146 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.6"
- Broadband
- 94.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Melissa Memorial Hospital, 3.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Phillips County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Phillips County?
- Phillips County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F, and average winter lows of 13.9°F. The established crops are corn, wheat, millet.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $255,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.49%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Melissa Memorial Hospital is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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 Phillips 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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