RANK #42 / 996 · POP 61,683 · CO
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.5%
Glenwood Springs, the county seat of Garfield County, Colorado, is known for its natural hot springs, which have attracted visitors for over a century. Located in western Colorado at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers, the county is approximately 160 miles west of Denver. Interstate 70 runs through the picturesque Glenwood Canyon, providing access to the area. The community offers a mountain lifestyle with extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and skiing, with access to the White River National Forest and Sunlight Mountain Resort.
Life in Garfield County balances outdoor pursuits with community amenities. Public schools in the Garfield School District RE-2 and Garfield School District 16 serve local families. Commute options include the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) bus service, connecting Rifle to Aspen, and Bustang service to Denver. The economy is supported by tourism, natural resource development, and agriculture. Construction and healthcare have seen recent job gains. The county's appeal extends to retirees drawn by the climate, recreation, and open spaces.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
McClure River Ranch PUD
Aspen Polo Partners LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
|
AES High Mesa Solar + Battery Storage
AES High Mesa Solar (AES Clean Energy)
|
$32M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Garfield County has a Boom Town Index score of 96/100, ranking #42 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.9% and a median household income of $82,772, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Garfield County is $449,300 with median rent at $1,444/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1842, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.9%. Home values changed +5.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.21% of Garfield County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.