Minturn-Red Cliff
RANK #545 / 996 NAT · #3 / 15 CO · POP 55,650
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Eagle County, Colorado, is often recognized first for its prominent ski resorts, Vail and Beaver Creek, which anchor its eastern end. Located in central Colorado, about two hours west of Denver via I-70, the county encompasses diverse communities from the alpine resort areas to the ranchlands of Eagle and Gypsum. Over 80% of the county's land is public, including portions of the White River National Forest, offering extensive outdoor recreation. Residents and visitors engage in mountain biking, hiking, trail running, fishing in the Eagle River, whitewater rafting, and winter sports like skiing and snowmobiling. The Eagle River, a central feature, provides both fishing and whitewater opportunities.
Life in Eagle County blends an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with a strong sense of community. The economy is heavily influenced by tourism and outdoor recreation, particularly the ski industry, which supports thousands of jobs in accommodation, food services, retail, and real estate. While the cost of living, including housing, is higher than national averages, the area attracts families and professionals seeking a high quality of life. The Eagle County School District serves a wide range of communities, and public transportation via the Eco Transit system connects many towns, including Vail, Avon, and Edwards, and offers commuter services. Recent economic development efforts focus on resiliency, workforce retention, and expanding affordable housing options through collaborations with developers and local governments.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Above national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
West End Apartments
East West Partners
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Eagle County Commons (Parkside Apartments & Government Services Building)
Eagle County Government
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Colorado Mountain College Building 3
Colorado Mountain College
|
$50M | Planned |
|
El Jebel Intersection Upgrade
Eagle County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Eagle County scores 45/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#545). Median household income is $98,887 and job growth is running at +1.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Affordability is a real challenge in Eagle County. The median home is valued at $728,400 — with an income-to-home-value ratio of just 0.14, that's significantly harder to afford than in most U.S. counties. Median rent runs $1,868/month.
Employers in Eagle County are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved +1.4% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
In significant numbers — 5.04% of Eagle County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.