Jefferson County
CO · Pop. 579,715 · Urban County
Jefferson County is an urban county in Colorado, spanning 764 square miles with 579,715 residents at a density of 758.8 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, hemp. The median home price is $604,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.47%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of 12.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Scl Health Community Hospital - Southwest is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.47% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Scl Health Community Hospital - Southwest, with an emergency room, is just 8.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $604,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Jefferson County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 17/100
- Median home price
- $604k
- Property tax
- 0.47%
- Growing season
- 159 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.3"
- Broadband
- 98.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Scl Health Community Hospital - Southwest, 8.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of 12.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, hemp.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $604,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.47%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Scl Health Community Hospital - Southwest is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 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 Jefferson 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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