9 Top Places to Raise a Family in Colorado

38 of 50 states of the United States with a name, nickname, and date admitted to the Union, Detailed Vector Colorado Map for printing posters, postcards and t-shirts
© Maxger/iStock via Getty Images

Written by Patrick MacFarland

Published: February 5, 2024

Share on:

Advertisement


It’s a tale as old as time. Person A meets person B, they fall in love, they get married, and then they have children. Of course, in today’s world, it’s not necessary to get married or have kids, but at least in the United States, it’s the societal norm. As new parents, you always are looking out for the best neighborhoods to raise your children. You want the best schools, you want the neighborhoods with the least amount of crime and other factors. If you are looking in the Centennial State, let’s take a look at the nine top places to raise a family in Colorado.

Golden

Golden Colorado from drone

The city of Golden has a population of 20,000 people.

©Aaron Seltzer/iStock via Getty Images

Golden, CO is a city that is nestled near the Rocky Mountains. Golden has various nature trails that are perfect for family outings. The city houses the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, which creates a learning experience on the state’s mining history as well as Earth science. The Colorado Railroad Museum is also located here, which could be very fun for children of all ages. It has a family poverty rate of 6.3%, which is quite low, and the city only has a 4.3% unemployment rate. When it comes to crime, Golden ranks quite low in the state.

Louisville

Fall in the Rockies - first early snow in mid October, Louisville, Colorado

Louisville has a population of about 21,000 and is located in Boulder County.

©akrassel/iStock via Getty Images

With an average graduation rate of 89%, education is a priority in Louisville. The city also ranks low on crime, which is important when raising a family. The only downside to Louisville is the high housing market, which can cost you around $1,500 per month. 

Centennial

Signboard pointing towards Centennial

Centennial has a population of about 106,000 and is located near Denver.

©SimeonDonov/iStock via Getty Images

A quiet suburb of the state’s capital, Denver, Centennial is a home-rule municipality that is great for raising a family. Economic success is prominent in Centennial with a median household income of about $92,000 per year. Centennial boasts that it is one of Colorado’s most family-friendly communities and also one of the safest in the state. It also has great public schools.

Lone Tree

US flag in front of red rock formation at Roxborough State Park in Colorado

Lone Tree has a population of about 14,000 and is located near Denver.

©Yobab/iStock via Getty Images

With only a 30-minute drive to Red Rocks Park, Lone Tree is a perfect city to ensure your kids get a lot of exercise and nature. Because Lone Tree is more on the wealthy side, the average household income is $110,000 per year. The city has some of the best public schools in the state and it also has a low crime rate.

Greenwood Village

Orthodox synagogue in Greenwood Village Colorado

Greenwood Village has a population of 15,000 people.

©Faina Gurevich/iStock via Getty Images

Located in Arapahoe County, Greenwood Village is perfect for raising a family. With a household median income of $117,000 per year, the unemployment rate is low in Greenwood Village. The city is a mix of urban and suburban lifestyles that can easily be perfect for nights out and family fun. Although housing can be expensive, the upside is that Greenwood Village has a low crime rate.

Arvada

Aerial View of the Denver Suburb of Arvada

Arvada has a population of 124,000 people.

©Jacob Boomsma/iStock via Getty Images

Located northwest of Denver, Arvada is known as a city that has fantastic schools. This should be good for your children as they will get a great education. Besides good schools, Arvada has one of the lowest crime rates in not only the state but the country, as well.

Salida

Salida, Colorado is a Tourist Town on the Arkansas river popular for white water rafting

Located in Chaffee County, Salida has a population of 5,000.

©Jacob Boomsma/iStock via Getty Images

Salida is a small city located close to Colorado Springs. The city has housing that is much more affordable than other cities throughout the state. The city also has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. This means that coupled with the low housing and low crime rate, Salida is a great place to raise a family.

Loveland

Aerial shot of Loveland in Colorado in autumn

The 14th most populous city in Colorado, Loveland has a population of 76,000.

©Wirestock/iStock via Getty Images

Loveland experiences about 300 days of delicious sun every year. There are also so many fun activities that you can do in the city, which will be great for your family. The best part is that Loveland also experiences a low crime rate and the city has good schools.

Littleton

Arapahoe County Courthouse (former) 2/2

Littleton is located south of Denver and has a population of 45,000.

©BOB WESTON/iStock via Getty Images

The city of Littleton is a perfect place to raise a family because it has a low crime rate, which means you won’t have to worry as much when your kids play outside. Littleton also has a good balance between an urban and suburban lifestyle. Lastly, the average household income is about $65,000 and the median home price is $1,174, which is quite affordable for families.

Conclusion

And there you have it, these are the nine top places to raise a family in Colorado. When you have children, your outlook on life changes and you begin to wonder where you can raise a family so that they can have the best upbringing. Most people like to go to the suburbs or smaller cities because, for the most part, they’re safer. Wherever you choose to live, though, a happy family starts at home.


Share this post on:
About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.