RANK #873 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 15 CO · POP 56,331
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a National Historic Landmark, is a prominent feature of La Plata County, Colorado, drawing visitors with its historic steam locomotives and scenic route through the San Juan Mountains. Located in Southwest Colorado, La Plata County's largest town, Durango, is approximately 330 miles southwest of Denver. The community offers a blend of historic charm and outdoor adventure, with the Animas River flowing through Durango and the La Plata Mountains providing a backdrop. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, though Durango offers local bus services and a trolley along Main Avenue. The county is a hub for outdoor recreation, boasting over 300 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, gold medal trout fishing, and access to the San Juan National Forest and Purgatory Resort for skiing.
Life in La Plata County is characterized by a focus on outdoor living and a strong sense of community. The area attracts a mix of families, remote workers, and retirees drawn to the lifestyle and natural amenities. The economy is diversified, with key sectors including outdoor recreation, healthcare, education, energy, and professional services. Fort Lewis College, recognized for affordability and small class sizes, is a notable educational institution. Recent economic developments include the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds towards housing initiatives, broadband expansion, and addressing social impacts. The La Plata Economic Development Alliance actively works to promote economic well-being and quality of life in the community.
La Plata County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.6% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 18.9x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — La Plata County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #873 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +1.2% and median household income of $86,056 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Affordability is a real challenge in La Plata County. The median home is valued at $591,500 — with an income-to-home-value ratio of just 0.15, that's significantly harder to afford than in most U.S. counties. Median rent runs $1,504/month.
Employers in La Plata County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved +1.6% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests La Plata County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.