Best counties to raise a family in Colorado
Written by:
March 5, 2021
realtor.com
Best counties to raise a family in Colorado
Known in other parts of the world as shires, provinces, or territories, the United States’ counties (also known in certain states as boroughs or parishes) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came to find freedom from British rule. Today, those counties remain, with the 50 states divided into several, each with its own unique makeup.
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wishlists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Colorado using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
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#19. Adams County
- Population: 504,108
- Median home value: $307,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,346 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $71,202
- Top public schools: Stargate Charter School (A+), Legacy High School (A), Hulstrom Options K-8 School (A-)
- Top private schools: Belleview Christian Preparatory School (A-), Flatirons Academy (B+), Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Westminster (A-), Thornton (B), Federal Heights (B)
- Pictured: 1425 W 141st Way, Westminster ($1.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $307,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,346 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $71,202
- Top public schools: Stargate Charter School (A+), Legacy High School (A), Hulstrom Options K-8 School (A-)
- Top private schools: Belleview Christian Preparatory School (A-), Flatirons Academy (B+), Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Westminster (A-), Thornton (B), Federal Heights (B)
- Pictured: 1425 W 141st Way, Westminster ($1.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#18. Gilpin County
- Population: 6,018
- Median home value: $353,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,159 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $76,429
- Top public schools: Gilpin County Elementary School (B+)
- Top places to live: Central City (B)
- Pictured: 1044 Alps Hill Rd, Central City ($725,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $353,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,159 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $76,429
- Top public schools: Gilpin County Elementary School (B+)
- Top places to live: Central City (B)
- Pictured: 1044 Alps Hill Rd, Central City ($725,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#17. Conejos County
- Population: 8,128
- Median home value: $120,500 (79% own)
- Median rent: $543 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $36,084
- Top public schools: Manassa Elementary School (A), La Jara Elementary School (B+), Centauri High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Manassa (B+), La Jara (B), Sanford (B)
- Pictured: 14628 Road 21, Manassa ($399,500, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $120,500 (79% own)
- Median rent: $543 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $36,084
- Top public schools: Manassa Elementary School (A), La Jara Elementary School (B+), Centauri High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Manassa (B+), La Jara (B), Sanford (B)
- Pictured: 14628 Road 21, Manassa ($399,500, 2 bedrooms)
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#16. Grand County
- Population: 15,303
- Median home value: $308,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,047 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $71,198
- Top public schools: Fraser Valley Elementary School (B+), East Grand Middle School (B+), Middle Park High School (B)
- Top private schools: Winter Park Christian School (A-)
- Top places to live: Fraser (B+), Grand Lake (B+), Granby (B+)
- Pictured: 57 Moffat, Fraser ($4.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $308,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,047 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $71,198
- Top public schools: Fraser Valley Elementary School (B+), East Grand Middle School (B+), Middle Park High School (B)
- Top private schools: Winter Park Christian School (A-)
- Top places to live: Fraser (B+), Grand Lake (B+), Granby (B+)
- Pictured: 57 Moffat, Fraser ($4.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#15. Gunnison County
- Population: 16,802
- Median home value: $367,300 (61% own)
- Median rent: $992 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $56,577
- Top public schools: Crested Butte Community School (A-), Gunnison High School (B), Crested Butte Elementary School (B)
- Top places to live: Gunnison (A-), Mount Crested Butte (A-), Crested Butte (A-)
- Pictured: 8775 County Road 730, Gunnison ($7.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $367,300 (61% own)
- Median rent: $992 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $56,577
- Top public schools: Crested Butte Community School (A-), Gunnison High School (B), Crested Butte Elementary School (B)
- Top places to live: Gunnison (A-), Mount Crested Butte (A-), Crested Butte (A-)
- Pictured: 8775 County Road 730, Gunnison ($7.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#14. Weld County
- Population: 305,345
- Median home value: $299,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,085 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $74,150
- Top public schools: Galeton Elementary School (A), Benjamin Eaton Elementary School (A-), Windsor Charter Academy Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Dayspring Christian Academy (B+), The Children's Workshop Early Learning Center (unavailable), St. Mary Catholic School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Erie (A), Windsor (A-), Eaton (A-)
- Pictured: 100 Cessna Dr, Erie ($4.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $299,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,085 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $74,150
- Top public schools: Galeton Elementary School (A), Benjamin Eaton Elementary School (A-), Windsor Charter Academy Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Dayspring Christian Academy (B+), The Children's Workshop Early Learning Center (unavailable), St. Mary Catholic School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Erie (A), Windsor (A-), Eaton (A-)
- Pictured: 100 Cessna Dr, Erie ($4.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#13. Clear Creek County
- Population: 9,495
- Median home value: $378,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $938 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $67,060
- Top public schools: King-Murphy Elementary School (B), Clear Creek High School (B), Georgetown Community School (B-)
- Top places to live: Silver Plume (A-), Georgetown (B+), Empire (B)
- Pictured: 1781 Stevens Gulch Rd, Silver Plume ($1.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $378,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $938 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $67,060
- Top public schools: King-Murphy Elementary School (B), Clear Creek High School (B), Georgetown Community School (B-)
- Top places to live: Silver Plume (A-), Georgetown (B+), Empire (B)
- Pictured: 1781 Stevens Gulch Rd, Silver Plume ($1.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#12. La Plata County
- Population: 55,617
- Median home value: $395,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,147 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $68,685
- Top public schools: Mountain Middle School (A-), Animas High School (A-), Durango High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Colorado Timberline Academy (B+), St. Columba School (unavailable), Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Durango (A-), Bayfield (B-), Ignacio (B-)
- Pictured: 12670 County Road 250, Durango ($9.2 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $395,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,147 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $68,685
- Top public schools: Mountain Middle School (A-), Animas High School (A-), Durango High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Colorado Timberline Academy (B+), St. Columba School (unavailable), Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Durango (A-), Bayfield (B-), Ignacio (B-)
- Pictured: 12670 County Road 250, Durango ($9.2 million, 2 bedrooms)
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#11. Pitkin County
- Population: 17,926
- Median home value: $615,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,473 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $78,935
- Top public schools: Aspen High School (A), Aspen Community Charter School (A), Aspen Middle School (A-)
- Top private schools: Aspen Country Day School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Aspen (A+), Snowmass Village (A), Woody Creek (A-)
- Pictured: 2137 Red Mountain Rd, Aspen ($49.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $615,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,473 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $78,935
- Top public schools: Aspen High School (A), Aspen Community Charter School (A), Aspen Middle School (A-)
- Top private schools: Aspen Country Day School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Aspen (A+), Snowmass Village (A), Woody Creek (A-)
- Pictured: 2137 Red Mountain Rd, Aspen ($49.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#10. San Miguel County
- Population: 8,049
- Median home value: $479,300 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,140 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $67,038
- Top public schools: Telluride High School (A+), Telluride Middle School (A), Telluride Intermediate School (A-)
- Top private schools: Telluride Mountain School (A-)
- Top places to live: Telluride (A), Mountain Village (A), Ophir (B+)
- Pictured: 851 Wilson Way, Telluride ($27.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $479,300 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,140 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $67,038
- Top public schools: Telluride High School (A+), Telluride Middle School (A), Telluride Intermediate School (A-)
- Top private schools: Telluride Mountain School (A-)
- Top places to live: Telluride (A), Mountain Village (A), Ophir (B+)
- Pictured: 851 Wilson Way, Telluride ($27.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#9. Eagle County
- Population: 54,681
- Median home value: $562,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,594 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $84,790
- Top public schools: Battle Mountain High School (A-), Eagle County Charter Academy (A-), Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy (VSSA) (B+)
- Top private schools: Vail Mountain School (A+), Vail Christian High School (A+), St. Clare of Assisi School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Vail (A), Eagle (A-), Avon (A-)
- Pictured: 165 Forest Rd, Vail ($45.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $562,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,594 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $84,790
- Top public schools: Battle Mountain High School (A-), Eagle County Charter Academy (A-), Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy (VSSA) (B+)
- Top private schools: Vail Mountain School (A+), Vail Christian High School (A+), St. Clare of Assisi School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Vail (A), Eagle (A-), Avon (A-)
- Pictured: 165 Forest Rd, Vail ($45.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#8. Summit County
- Population: 30,649
- Median home value: $579,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,393 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $79,277
- Top public schools: Breckenridge Elementary School (B+), Frisco Elementary School (B+), Summit Cove Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: The Peak School (A)
- Top places to live: Breckenridge (A), Dillon (B+), Silverthorne (B)
- Pictured: 88 Snowy Ridge Rd, Breckenridge ($18.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $579,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,393 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $79,277
- Top public schools: Breckenridge Elementary School (B+), Frisco Elementary School (B+), Summit Cove Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: The Peak School (A)
- Top places to live: Breckenridge (A), Dillon (B+), Silverthorne (B)
- Pictured: 88 Snowy Ridge Rd, Breckenridge ($18.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#7. Routt County
- Population: 25,072
- Median home value: $535,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,282 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $77,443
- Top public schools: Steamboat Springs Middle School (A), Soda Creek Elementary School (A), Strawberry Park Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Steamboat Mountain School (A+), Emerald Mountain School (unavailable), Christian Heritage School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Steamboat Springs (A), Oak Creek (B-), Hayden (C+)
- Pictured: 32735 State Highway 131, Steamboat Springs ($12.5 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $535,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,282 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $77,443
- Top public schools: Steamboat Springs Middle School (A), Soda Creek Elementary School (A), Strawberry Park Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Steamboat Mountain School (A+), Emerald Mountain School (unavailable), Christian Heritage School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Steamboat Springs (A), Oak Creek (B-), Hayden (C+)
- Pictured: 32735 State Highway 131, Steamboat Springs ($12.5 million, 9 bedrooms)
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#6. Larimer County
- Population: 344,786
- Median home value: $363,800 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,297 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $71,881
- Top public schools: Liberty Common Charter School (A+), Fossil Ridge High School (A), Fort Collins High School (A)
- Top private schools: Campion Academy (A-), Resurrection Christian School (A-), Heritage Christian Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Timnath (A), Fort Collins (A), Laporte (A-)
- Pictured: 6457 Engh Pl, Timnath ($2.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $363,800 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,297 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $71,881
- Top public schools: Liberty Common Charter School (A+), Fossil Ridge High School (A), Fort Collins High School (A)
- Top private schools: Campion Academy (A-), Resurrection Christian School (A-), Heritage Christian Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Timnath (A), Fort Collins (A), Laporte (A-)
- Pictured: 6457 Engh Pl, Timnath ($2.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#5. El Paso County
- Population: 698,974
- Median home value: $275,000 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,174 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $68,779
- Top public schools: Cheyenne Mountain High School (A+), The Vanguard School Elementary (A+), The Vanguard School Junior High (A+)
- Top private schools: Fountain Valley School (A+), The Colorado Springs School (A+), St. Mary's High School (A)
- Top places to live: Woodmoor (A), Monument (A), Gleneagle (A)
- Pictured: 19795 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Monument ($945,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $275,000 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,174 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $68,779
- Top public schools: Cheyenne Mountain High School (A+), The Vanguard School Elementary (A+), The Vanguard School Junior High (A+)
- Top private schools: Fountain Valley School (A+), The Colorado Springs School (A+), St. Mary's High School (A)
- Top places to live: Woodmoor (A), Monument (A), Gleneagle (A)
- Pictured: 19795 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Monument ($945,000, 5 bedrooms)
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#4. Jefferson County
- Population: 574,798
- Median home value: $397,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,376 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $82,986
- Top public schools: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (A+), Lakewood High School (A+), Evergreen High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Colorado Academy (A+), Denver Christian School (A), Front Range Christian School (A-)
- Top places to live: Evergreen (A), Columbine (A), Genesee (A)
- Pictured: 600 Chateau V Rd, Evergreen ($12.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $397,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,376 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $82,986
- Top public schools: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (A+), Lakewood High School (A+), Evergreen High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Colorado Academy (A+), Denver Christian School (A), Front Range Christian School (A-)
- Top places to live: Evergreen (A), Columbine (A), Genesee (A)
- Pictured: 600 Chateau V Rd, Evergreen ($12.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#3. Arapahoe County
- Population: 644,560
- Median home value: $358,200 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,390 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $77,469
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Top private schools: Kent Denver School (A+), Regis Jesuit High School (A+), St. Mary's Academy (A+)
- Top places to live: Holly Hills (A+), Inverness (A+), Cherry Creek (A+)
- Pictured: 2481 S Ivanhoe Pl, Denver ($825,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $358,200 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,390 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $77,469
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Top private schools: Kent Denver School (A+), Regis Jesuit High School (A+), St. Mary's Academy (A+)
- Top places to live: Holly Hills (A+), Inverness (A+), Cherry Creek (A+)
- Pictured: 2481 S Ivanhoe Pl, Denver ($825,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#2. Boulder County
- Population: 322,510
- Median home value: $497,300 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,495 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $83,019
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Boulder High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Dawson School (A+), Tara Performing Arts High School (A), Watershed School (A)
- Top places to live: Superior (A+), Louisville (A+), Boulder (A+)
- Pictured: 2945 Bella Pl, Superior ($1.7 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $497,300 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,495 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $83,019
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Boulder High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Dawson School (A+), Tara Performing Arts High School (A), Watershed School (A)
- Top places to live: Superior (A+), Louisville (A+), Boulder (A+)
- Pictured: 2945 Bella Pl, Superior ($1.7 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#1. Douglas County
- Population: 336,041
- Median home value: $468,700 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,725 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $119,730
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), Mountain Vista High School (A), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A)
- Top private schools: Valor Christian High School (A+), Mile High Academy (A), Lutheran High School (A-)
- Top places to live: Highlands Ranch (A+), Castle Pines (A+), Lone Tree (A+)
- Pictured: 10845 Rainribbon Rd, Highlands Ranch ($2.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $468,700 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,725 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $119,730
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), Mountain Vista High School (A), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A)
- Top private schools: Valor Christian High School (A+), Mile High Academy (A), Lutheran High School (A-)
- Top places to live: Highlands Ranch (A+), Castle Pines (A+), Lone Tree (A+)
- Pictured: 10845 Rainribbon Rd, Highlands Ranch ($2.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
