Supporting Workforce Starts with Housing
When housing is within reach, our local workforce can live, work, and build a future in Eagle County.
60% of Eagle County’s 10 largest occupations have median annual wages below $50,000.
2025 Eagle County Regional Housing Needs Assessment
Housing plays a vital role in supporting the people who keep Eagle County running and make it a world-class destination. From education and healthcare to hospitality, construction, and local businesses, our workforce contributes to the community in countless ways. They deserve the opportunity to stay rooted here, build their lives, and be part of the connected community that makes Eagle County home.
For many local workers, even sharing a home can stretch beyond what they can afford. The 2025 Eagle County Regional Housing Needs Assessment found that a single earner making the median wage could not afford the typical $1,500 monthly rent for a bedroom in a shared home. Housing within reach of local wages matters at every stage, whether someone is renting a room, finding a home of their own, or planning for the future.
Buying a home can feel even further out of reach. Depending on the community, a household needs income equivalent to 3.7 to 7.5 full-time jobs at the median wage to afford a median-priced non-resort home in Eagle County. For local workers hoping to put down roots, the path to homeownership needs to reflect what they earn, not just what the market demands.
The Gap Between Wages and Housing Costs
Working here should come with the opportunity to live here. Yet the gap between local wages and housing costs can put both renting and homeownership out of reach.
When housing reflects local wages, workers have more opportunity to stay rooted, support their families, and build a future in Eagle County.
The Commute to Work
Being part of Eagle County’s workforce should mean having the opportunity to be part of the community beyond the workday. Housing closer to work can mean less time commuting and more time for family, friends, and the activities that make this place home.
Living closer to work means more than a shorter commute. It gives workers more time to spend with loved ones, get involved, and enjoy the community they help make possible.
More Housing Options for Workers
Housing choices matter at every stage of working life. More rental and ownership options can help people move beyond crowded or temporary living situations and find a home that fits their needs.
Expanding housing choices gives working households more paths to a home that works for them, with room to plan for the future.
What Can We Do?
More housing options give working households more choices to build a future here. Deed-restricted homeownership is one of those options, offering long-term stability and the opportunity to build equity while preserving homes for future generations. It gives buyers another path to consider as they decide what works best for their lives.
Partnerships can bring these opportunities further within reach. As community needs evolve, our work must evolve too. With community support, we can grow our programs, deepen partnerships, and advance regional solutions that expand housing choices. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, more productive, and more resilient community for everyone.