Routt County
CO · Pop. 24,990 · Rural County
Routt County is a rural county in Colorado, spanning 2,362 square miles with 24,990 residents at a density of 10.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, grasses. A median home price of $756,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.33% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 86-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.6°F and average winter lows of 4.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.33% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 9.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, grasses means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 10.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 86-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $756,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 4.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Routt County, CO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 41/100
- Median home price
- $756k
- Property tax
- 0.33%
- Growing season
- 86 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.6"
- Broadband
- 81.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, 9.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Routt County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Routt County?
- Routt County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 86-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.6°F, and average winter lows of 4.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, grasses.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $756,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.33%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Uchealth Yampa Valley Medical Center is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Colorado Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Colorado
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The closest counties to Routt 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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