Hunt & Live

Crowley County, CO

5,614 residents · 787 sq mi · 7.1/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
52.5°F
12" rain/yr
Water
arid
Aridity index 0.5
Hardiness
Zone 7b
Winter low ~5.3°F

About Crowley County

Crowley County is a county located in the U.S state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,922. The county seat is Ordway.

81
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #192 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a predominantly rural lifestyle with a low population density of 7.1 people per square mile. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 52.5°F, with summer highs reaching 92.7°F and winter lows dropping to 15.3°F. The growing season is supported by USDA zone 7b, but the region's arid classification and average annual rainfall of only 12 inches may limit water availability for self-sufficient living, requiring careful management of resources.

The county faces several natural hazards, with wildfire risk ranked at 63 and hail at 61 on the FEMA scale, indicating notable threats in these areas. The disaster percentile is low at 4, suggesting a generally safe environment. However, with a violence percentile of 76, safety concerns may arise. Additionally, the cost of living is relatively low, with a median home price of $92,700 and a property tax rate of just 0.52%, but the economic opportunities may be limited given the median household income of $40,685.

This location may be suitable for individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency and resource management. Those who thrive in remote settings and are prepared for potential natural hazards would find this area appealing. Conversely, individuals looking for vibrant community life, diverse economic opportunities, or abundant water resources may find the county lacking in these aspects, making it a less favorable choice for their needs.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Top 16% nationally
National prepper rank: #498 of 3,109.
#16 of 64 in CO
Ranked #16 of 64 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: wildfire
FEMA ranks wildfire risk at 63/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Sparse population
7.1 people per square mile — well below the CONUS average.
Climate profile
Classified as arid with a 52.5°F annual mean and 12.0" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 7b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $92,700.

Score Breakdown

Violence
41
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
4
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
14
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
3.9
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 35
Drought 38
Earthquake 22
Hail 61
Heat Wave 11
Riverine Flood 6
Ice Storm 3
Landslide 0
Lightning 43
Strong Wind 35
Tornado 15
Wildfire 63
Winter Weather 38

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
92.7°F
Winter low
15.3°F
Heating degree days
5,487
Cooling degree days
974

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$92,700
Median HH income
$40,685
Price to income
2.3×
Property tax rate
0.52%
~$484/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
41.3
Homeownership
71.2%
Poverty rate
24.2%
Unemployment
7.2%

Connectivity

Broadband households
48.3%
No internet access
18.6%

Explore Crowley County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.