DENVER (Stacker) — Known in other parts of the world as counties, provinces, or territories, counties in the United States (also called boroughs or parishes in some states) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came freedom from British rule. Today, these 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, choosing a county is a big decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wish lists.
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.
The list includes counties that have some of the best 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.
#19. Pueblo County
– Population: 165,982
– Median home value: $164,600 (65% ownership)
– Median rent: $829 (35% rent)
– Median household income: $46,783
– Best public schools: The Connect Charter School (A-), Swallows Charter Academy (B+), Swallows Charter Academy (B+)
– Best private schools: St. Therese Catholic School (not available), St. John Neumann Catholic School (not available), Trinity Lutheran School (not available)
– Best places to live: Pueblo West (B), Pueblo (B-), Beulah Valley (B+)
#18. Adams County
– Population: 504,108
– Median home value: $307,600 (66% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,346 (34% rent)
– Median household income: $71,202
– Best public schools: Stargate Charter School (A+), Legacy High School (A), Hulstrom Options K-8 School (A-)
– Best private schools: Belleview Christian Preparatory School (A-), Flatirons Academy (B+), Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School (B+)
– Best places to live: Westminster (A-), Thornton (B), Federal Heights (B)
#17. Grand County
– Population: 15,303
– Median home value: $308,200 (68% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,047 (32% rent)
– Median household income: $71,198
– Best public schools: Fraser Valley Elementary School (B+), East Grand Middle School (B+), Middle Park High School (B)
– Best private schools: Winter Park Christian School (A-)
– Best places to live: Fraser (B+), Grand Lake (A), Winter Park (A-)
#16. Clear Creek County
– Population: 9,495
– Median home value: $378,300 (77% ownership)
– Median rent: $938 (23% rent)
– Median household income: $67,060
– Best public schools: King-Murphy Elementary School (B), Clear Creek High School (B), Georgetown Community School (B-)
– The best private schools:
– Best places to live: Silver Plume (B+), Georgetown (B), Empire (B-)
#15. Weld County
– Population: 305,345
– Median home value: $299,000 (73% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,085 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $74,150
– Best public schools: Galeton Elementary School (A), Benjamin Eaton Elementary School (A-), Windsor Charter Academy Elementary School (A-)
– Best private schools: Dayspring Christian Academy (B+), The Children’s Workshop Early Learning Center (not available), St. Mary Catholic School (not available)
– Best places to live: Erie (A), Severance (A-), Eaton (A-)
#14. Gunnison County
– Population: 16,802
– Median home value: $367,300 (61% ownership)
– Median rent: $992 (39% rent)
– Median household income: $56,577
– Best public schools: Crested Butte Community School (A-), Gunnison High School (B), Crested Butte Elementary School (B)
– The best private schools:
– Best places to live: Gunnison (A-), Mount Crested Butte (A-), Crested Butte (B+)
#13. County of Conejos
– Population: 8,128
– Median home value: $120,500 (79% ownership)
– Median rent: $543 (21% rent)
– Median household income: $36,084
– Best public schools: Manassa Elementary School (A), La Jara Elementary School (B+), Centauri High School (B+)
– The best private schools:
– Best places to live: Manassa (B+), La Jara (B), Sanford (B)
#12. La Plata County
– Population: 55,617
– Median home value: $395,600 (71% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,147 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $68,685
– Best public schools: Mountain Middle School (A-), Animas High School (A-), Durango High School (B+)
– Best private schools: Colorado Timberline Academy (B+), St. Columba School (not available), Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (not available)
– Best places to live: Durango (A-), Bayfield (C+), Ignacio (C+)
#11. Pitkin County
– Population: 17,926
– Median home value: $615,900 (65% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,473 (35% rent)
– Median household income: $78,935
– Best public schools: Aspen High School (A), Aspen Community Charter School (A), Aspen Middle School (A-)
– Best private schools: Aspen Country Day School (not available)
– Best places to live: Aspen (A), Snowmass Village (A-), Woody Creek (B+)
#ten. San Miguel County
– Population: 8,049
– Median home value: $479,300 (61% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,140 (39% rent)
– Median household income: $67,038
– Best public schools: Telluride High School (A+), Telluride Middle School (A), Telluride Intermediate School (A-)
– Best private schools: Telluride Mountain School (A-)
– Best places to live: Mountain Village (A), Telluride (A), Ophir (B)
#9. Summit County
– Population: 30,649
– Median home value: $579,600 (66% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,393 (34% rent)
– Median household income: $79,277
– Best public schools: Breckenridge Elementary School (B+), Frisco Elementary School (B+), Summit Cove Elementary School (B+)
– Top private schools: The Peak School (A)
– Best places to live: Breckenridge (A-), Frisco (B), Silverthorne (B-)
#8. Eagle County
– Population: 54,681
– Median home value: $562,300 (70% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,594 (30% rent)
– Median household income: $84,790
– Best 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)
– Best places to live: Vail (A-), Eagle (B+), Avon (B+)
#7. Routt County
– Population: 25,072
– Median home value: $535,300 (71% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,282 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $77,443
– Best public schools: Steamboat Springs Middle School (A), Soda Creek Elementary School (A), Strawberry Park Elementary School (A)
– Best private schools: Steamboat Mountain School (A+), Emerald Mountain School (not available), Christian Heritage School (not available)
– Best places to live: Steamboat Springs (A-), Oak Creek (B-), Yampa (C+)
#6. Larimer County
– Population: 344,786
– Median home value: $363,800 (65% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,297 (35% rent)
– Median household income: $71,881
– Best 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+)
– Best places to live: Timnath (A), Fort Collins (A), Johnstown (B+)
#5. El Paso County
– Population: 698,974
– Median home value: $275,000 (64% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,174 (36% rent)
– Median household income: $68,779
– Best public schools: Cheyenne Mountain High School (A+), The Vanguard School Elementary (A+), The Vanguard School Junior High (A+)
– Best private schools: Fountain Valley School (A+), The Colorado Springs School (A+), St. Mary’s High School (A)
– Best places to live: Woodmoor (A), Monument (A), Gleneagle (A)
#4. Jefferson County
– Population: 574,798
– Median home value: $397,700 (71% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,376 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $82,986
– Best public schools: D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (A+), Lakewood High School (A+), Evergreen High School (A+)
– Best private schools: Colorado Academy (A+), Denver Christian School (A), Front Range Christian School (A-)
– Best places to live: Evergreen (A), Genesee (A), Columbine (A)
#3. Arapahoe County
– Population: 644,560
– Median home value: $358,200 (64% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,390 (36% rent)
– Median household income: $77,469
– Best public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
– Best private schools: Kent Denver School (A+), Regis Jesuit High School (A+), St. Mary’s Academy (A+)
– Best places to live: Holly Hills (A+), Cherry Creek (A+), Inverness (A+)
#2. Boulder County
– Population: 322,510
– Median home value: $497,300 (62% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,495 (38% rent)
– Median household income: $83,019
– Best public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Boulder High School (A+)
– Best private schools: Dawson School (A+), Tara Performing Arts High School (A), Watershed School (A)
– Best places to live: Superior (A+), Louisville (A+), Boulder (A+)
#1. Douglas County
– Population: 336,041
– Median home value: $468,700 (79% ownership)
– Median rent: $1,725 (21% rent)
– Median household income: $119,730
– Best public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), Mountain Vista High School (A), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A)
– Best private schools: Valor Christian High School (A+), Mile High Academy (A), Lutheran High School (A-)
– Best places to live: Highlands Ranch (A+), Castle Pines (A+), Lone Tree (A+)
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