1st Advantage MortgageAbout 74% of Rio Blanco County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $65,473. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Rio Blanco County
- What it costs to live in Rio Blanco County
- Paychecks and income spread in Rio Blanco County
- Employment and commuting in Rio Blanco County
- How Rio Blanco County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Rio Blanco County
- Debt-to-income at Rio Blanco County's medians
- Rio Blanco County households compared
- Reading the Rio Blanco County data as a borrower
- Four steps for Rio Blanco County borrowers
- Colorado rules that apply in Rio Blanco County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Rio Blanco County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Rio Blanco County's population at 6,544; only 45 of Colorado's 64 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 3,221 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 2 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Rio Blanco County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Meeker, with about 2,580 residents, or 39% of the county. With so few households sampled, Rio Blanco County estimates can move a lot between releases.
What it costs to live in Rio Blanco County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $919 in Rio Blanco County versus $1,761 statewide. 29% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 14% spend half or more. Home values center on $274,400, or 4.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 74%. Half the housing stock was built before 1978.
| Housing | Rio Blanco County | Colorado statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $919/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $274,400 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.0% | 3.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Rio Blanco County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Paychecks and income spread in Rio Blanco County
At $65,473, the typical Rio Blanco County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 39th among Colorado's 64 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Rio Blanco County | +/- vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.4% | +3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 54.0% | +18.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.3% | -7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -13.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Rio Blanco County households make $100,000 or more, and 19% make less than $35,000. 8.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.4%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Rio Blanco County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; transportation, warehousing and utilities is next with 11%. Compared with Colorado, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (9% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Rio Blanco County averages 2.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.6%). 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home.
| Sector | Rio Blanco County | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | +1.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 11.3% | +6.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 10.2% | +5.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.5% | +7.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -1.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Rio Blanco County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Rio Blanco County's, from 30 to 79 miles away. Routt County leads the group on income ($106,489), Delta County trails ($57,774), and Rio Blanco County out-earns 1 of the six. Some neighbors are in Utah. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Rio Blanco County resident follows Colorado rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Blanco County | - | $65,473 | $919/mo | 74% |
| Garfield County, CO | 30 mi | $91,131 | $1,637/mo | 70% |
| Moffat County, CO | 44 mi | $73,849 | $1,039/mo | 69% |
| Mesa County, CO | 67 mi | $73,658 | $1,182/mo | 72% |
| Uintah County, UT | 70 mi | $73,746 | $941/mo | 74% |
| Routt County, CO | 73 mi | $106,489 | $1,917/mo | 76% |
| Delta County, CO | 79 mi | $57,774 | $1,121/mo | 78% |
The communities that make up Rio Blanco County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Rio Blanco County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 5,046 residents, leaving about 23% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Rio Blanco County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 2.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeker | town | 2,580 | $66,548 | $981 | 17 mi |
| Rangely | town | 2,466 | $66,389 | $770 | 32 mi |
Debt-to-income at Rio Blanco County's medians
Rio Blanco County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,456 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($919)
- $1,427: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Rio Blanco County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Rio Blanco County households compared
Degree holders: 25% of adults over 25. 9.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Rio Blanco County | Colorado | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.8 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.2% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.5% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.0% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.4% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Rio Blanco County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 69.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 13.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 3.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 9.7% |
Reading the Rio Blanco County data as a borrower
What the Rio Blanco County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Rio Blanco County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Consolidating cards in Rio Blanco County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Four steps for Rio Blanco County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Rio Blanco County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Rio Blanco County-area credit union.
- Verify the Colorado license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Colorado rules that apply in Rio Blanco County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Rio Blanco County, check the Colorado Division of Banking. Colorado also has the Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code for consumer credit. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Colorado guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Colorado guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Rio Blanco County?
$65,473 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $95,470 for Colorado. It ranks 39th of 64 in the state.
How much is rent in Rio Blanco County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $919 a month; 29% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Rio Blanco County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Meeker, Rangely.
Does living in Rio Blanco County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Rio Blanco County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Rio Blanco County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Colorado it is the Colorado Division of Banking.