Education, Employment and Housing

Phillips County, CO, hosts 6 public schools, including Holyoke High School, with a high school graduation rate of around 95%. Approximately 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Schools in the county average a "B" rating on GreatSchools, reflecting above-average student performance. Adult education programs are available through partnerships with Northeastern Junior College. School safety scores are strong, with fewer than 0.5 incidents per 100 students annually. Educational programs include STEM, agriculture, and vocational training, supporting diverse learning paths.

As of 2022, Phillips County, CO, had an employment rate of approximately 64.2%. The leading industries include agriculture (21%), education and health services (18%), and retail trade (11%). The top occupation types are management (15%), office and administrative support (12%), and sales (10%). About 71% of residents work within the county, while 29% commute elsewhere, with an average commute time of 16.8 minutes. Holyoke, the county seat, serves as the primary employment hub.

Phillips County, CO, has a homeownership rate of about 77%, with median home values around $207,000 and median gross rents near $725 monthly. The county mostly features single-family homes, with smaller numbers of multi-unit dwellings. House prices have shown modest growth, rising approximately 5% over the past year. Major communities include Holyoke (the county seat) and Haxtun, each offering quiet, close-knit neighborhoods. Property tax rates average about 0.55% of assessed home value, making taxes relatively low by national standards. The housing market is steady, with availability reflecting the county’s rural character and small population.

County Crime & Safety

Phillips County, Colorado, maintains a low crime rate compared to state averages. In 2022, the county reported just 28 total crimes, including 2 violent crimes and 26 property crimes, according to Colorado Bureau of Investigation data. The violent crime rate is approximately 0.5 per 1,000 residents, while property crime stands at 6.5 per 1,000. Local law enforcement emphasizes proactive community policing and timely crime reporting, contributing to the area's overall safety.

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Phillips County, Colorado, had a population of 4,493. The median age was 39.9 years. Approximately 50.1% were male and 49.9% female. The racial composition was 89.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 6.9% from other races; 2.5% identified with two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 13.2% of the population.

Elections

Phillips County, CO, had approximately 2,700 registered voters in 2022. Elections include local, state, and federal races, with around 75% turnout in presidential years. The county uses polling locations such as the Phillips County Event Center in Holyoke. Administration is overseen by the County Clerk & Recorder. In 2020, 80% voted Republican, 17% Democrat, reflecting strong GOP support. Ballot issues often involve agriculture, tax, and school funding. Registered party distribution is about 55% Republican, 20% Democrat, and 25% unaffiliated. Voting options include mail-in ballots and in-person on Election Day.