RANK #871 / 996 · POP 359,363 · CO
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.3%
Rocky Mountain National Park, with its alpine tundra and abundant wildlife, is a major draw for Larimer County, Colorado, which extends to the Continental Divide. Located in north central Colorado, the county seat, Fort Collins, is approximately an hour's drive north of Denver. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and access to natural landscapes. Commute options include local bus services in Fort Collins and Loveland, with some routes being fare-free, and regional connections to other Front Range communities. Outdoor recreation is a significant aspect of life here, with opportunities for hiking, boating, camping, fishing, and rock climbing at places like Horsetooth Reservoir and Roosevelt National Forest.
Life in Larimer County attracts a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, drawn by the quality of life and access to outdoor activities. The public school systems, including Poudre School District and Thompson School District, are recognized for strong performance. The economy is diverse, with job growth observed across various industries such as state government, retail, professional and business services, hospitality, and manufacturing. Colorado State University also plays a role in the regional economy and talent development. The area continues to see investment in sectors like aerospace supply chain manufacturing and high-tech industries.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 7.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center (DEN9)
Amazon
|
$400M | Under Construction |
|
Rawhide Power Station Natural Gas Turbines
Platte River Power Authority (PRPA)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Large Utility Projects (Johnstown Raw Water Pipeline, Berthoud Water/Sewer, Halligan Reservoir Expansion)
Town of Johnstown, Town of Berthoud, City of Fort Collins
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Larimer County has a Boom Town Index score of 13/100, ranking #871 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $87,199, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Larimer County is $488,300 with median rent at $1,584/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1786, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed -1.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.77% of Larimer County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.