Signature · 51.6% low-access (94th pct)

Washington County, CO

Washington County sits in the upper national band on low-access (51.6%, +29.5 pts vs U.S.), with SNAP/vehicle context from ACS 2024.

51.6%
low-access pop.
0
food-desert tracts
11.1%
on SNAP
5K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 CO

USDA FARA access plate

County Washington County, CO

LA-SEVERE · ABOVE-NATIONAL · LILA-NONE · SNAP-TYPICAL · VEH-OK · DENSITY-CLEAR

  • LA-SEVERE 51.6% low-access
  • ABOVE-NATIONAL +29.5 pts vs US
  • LILA-NONE 0 food-desert tracts
  • SNAP-TYPICAL 11.1% SNAP
  • VEH-OK 5.2% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-CLEAR 0% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Fremont County (+ 0.0 pts)

Upper-band low-access

Washington County sits in the upper national band (51.6%, #185 of 3,079).

#185
national by low-access %
#7
in CO
1
low-access tracts
672
food-desert residents

Upper-band counties often pair elevated low-access with clustered LILA tracts. Low access = >1 mile urban / >10 miles rural.

Signature read: 51.6% low-access (94th pct) (+29.5 pts vs U.S. low-access).

How Washington County compares nationally

Washington County sits among the nation's most food-access-constrained counties: its 51.6% low-access share outpaces 94% of the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA data, ranking #185 most-affected nationwide.

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Washington County's elevated USDA tier split

2 census tracts grouped by USDA classification .

Food access tier distribution for Washington County, CO USDA-defined food-access tiers: 1 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 1 limited, 0 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 2 tracts evaluated. 1 tracts adequate (50.0%) 1 tracts limited (50.0%) Adequate 50% Limited 50% Severe 0% Food-access tier distribution: Washington County, CO
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Washington County has 0 urban and 2 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Washington County vs nearby high low-access peers

Poles + nearest peers in Colorado, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

FARA 2019 · elevated low-access

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Washington County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts2
Atlas Population (2010 basis)4,814
Low-Access Tracts1
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)0
Low-Access Population2,485
Low-Access Share51.6%well above the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population672

Demographics & Assistance (Census ACS 2024)

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Washington County
IndicatorValue
Population4,831
Median Household Income$67,167
Poverty Rate8.1%well below the national average
SNAP Households230
SNAP Participation Rate11.1%near the national average
Households Without a Vehicle5.2%below the national average
Group-Quarters Population3.8%

Slim SNAP store book in Washington County

Washington County has 4 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 3 store categories. Combination Grocery/Other lead with 2 locations (50% of the total), followed by large grocery store.

Combination Grocery/Other · 2

  • dollar general 30868, akron
  • family dollar 9112, akron

Large Grocery Store · 1

  • odells super's llc, akron

Small Grocery Store · 1

  • anton grocery, anton

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in Colorado

One of 63 counties in Colorado, 6 are shown here.

Compare Washington County vs Adams County → · All Colorado counties →

Washington County inside a higher low-access state context

Washington County sits inside Colorado (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Washington County, CO are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 08121. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.