1st Advantage MortgageRoutt County households have a median income of $106,489 and median rent of $1,917 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Routt County
- Routt County housing compared with Colorado
- Income in Routt County compared with Colorado
- Jobs and commutes in Routt County
- Routt County towns compared
- Routt County next to its neighbors
- Routt County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Routt County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Routt County's medians
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Routt County
- More guides for Routt County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Routt County
Roughly 25,084 residents live in Routt County, Colorado, 23rd by population among the state's 64 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 2,362 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 11 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Routt County is not part of any metropolitan area. Steamboat Springs is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 13,433 people (54% of the county total).
Routt County housing compared with Colorado
A typical Routt County rental runs $1,917 a month including utilities, which is 9% above Colorado. By the Census definition, 57% of Routt County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $854,700, or 8.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 76%. Half the housing stock was built before 1993.
| Measure | Routt County | Colorado | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,917/mo | $1,761/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $854,700 | $539,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 53% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.1% | 3.5% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Routt 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Income in Routt County compared with Colorado
At $106,489, the typical Routt County household income is 62% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Routt County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 12.0% | -4.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.6% | -0.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.8% | 0.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 21.6% | +4.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 52% of Routt County households make $100,000 or more, and 12% make less than $35,000. Census counts 5.2% of Routt County residents in poverty, against 9.4% across Colorado. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.472 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Routt County median.
Jobs and commutes in Routt County
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Routt County residents work in education and health care and 16% in arts, lodging and food service. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 16% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.4% in Routt County. About 66% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 1.7% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Top industries | Routt County share | +/- vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.9% | -3.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 15.8% | +6.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.2% | -3.4 pts |
| Construction | 11.7% | +3.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +1.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.6% | +2.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Routt County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Routt County towns compared
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Routt County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 16,876 people, so roughly 33% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $85,313 in Oak Creek to $104,964 in Steamboat Springs. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steamboat Springs | city | 13,433 | $104,964 | $2,017 | 9 mi |
| Hayden | town | 2,057 | $90,804 | $1,784 | 15 mi |
| Oak Creek | town | 700 | $85,313 | $1,455 | 15 mi |
| Phippsburg | CDP | 390 | $87,232 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Yampa | town | 296 | $75,109 | $1,556 | 23 mi |
Routt County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Jackson County at 37 miles out to Summit County at 75. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Routt County; Summit County is highest at $109,773 and Jackson County lowest at $47,667.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routt County | - | $106,489 | $1,917/mo | 76% |
| Jackson County, CO | 37 mi | $47,667 | $1,701/mo | 71% |
| Grand County, CO | 53 mi | $88,612 | $1,493/mo | 73% |
| Eagle County, CO | 61 mi | $104,096 | $2,019/mo | 66% |
| Moffat County, CO | 65 mi | $73,849 | $1,039/mo | 69% |
| Rio Blanco County, CO | 73 mi | $65,473 | $919/mo | 74% |
| Summit County, CO | 75 mi | $109,773 | $1,928/mo | 72% |
Routt County residents: age, schooling, coverage
54% of Routt County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 7.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Routt County | Colorado | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | 37.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 54.2% | 45.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 2.6% | 7.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 7.7% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 21.3% | 21.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.2% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.4% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Routt County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.6% |
What the numbers mean for Routt County borrowers
Based on the Routt County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 52% of Routt County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Rent squeeze. 57% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Debt-to-income at Routt County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Routt County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $8,874 before taxes
- Less median rent of $1,917, which is 22% of it
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,633 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Routt County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Routt County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Routt County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Routt County
The Colorado Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Colorado license. The Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code handles consumer-credit questions as well. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Colorado state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Routt County
The Colorado guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Routt County earn?
The median is $106,489; 52% earn $100,000 or more and 12% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Routt County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,917 a month; 57% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Routt County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 76% of Routt County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Routt County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Oak Creek, Phippsburg, Yampa.
Is the fit check different in Routt County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.