Gunnison County
CO · Pop. 17,158 · Rural County
Gunnison County sits in Colorado across 3,239 square miles, home to 17,158 people at 5.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, lettuce. The median home price is $597,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.28%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 73-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.5°F and average winter lows of -3°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Gunnison Valley Hospital is 10.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 76.2% 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 0.28% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Gunnison Valley Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 5.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 73-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $597,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 76.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gunnison County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gunnison County?
- Gunnison County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 73-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.5°F, and average winter lows of -3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, lettuce.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $597,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.28%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 76.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Gunnison Valley Hospital is 10.9 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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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.
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