Arina P Habich // Shutterstock
Best places to raise a family in Colorado
Choosing a place to raise children can be a daunting task for any family. If it takes a village to raise a child, that may just extend all the way to your next-door neighbor, fifth-grade teacher, or volunteer soccer coach. While all parents are looking for a great place to raise their kids, oftentimes this decision means balancing鈥攁nd prioritizing鈥攃ertain community resources and costs.
compiled a list of the best places to raise a family in Colorado using data from . Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Keep reading to see if where you grew up or currently live made the list.
You may also like:
Best public colleges in Colorado
#25. Palmer Lake
- Population: 2,887
- Median home value: $289,800 (83% own)
- Median rent: $977 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $77,216
- Top public schools: Palmer Ridge High School (A), Lewis-Palmer Middle School (A-), Palmer Lake Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: ($460,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $289,800 (83% own)
- Median rent: $977 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $77,216
- Top public schools: Palmer Ridge High School (A), Lewis-Palmer Middle School (A-), Palmer Lake Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: ($460,000, 4 bedrooms)
#24. Aspen
- Population: 7,431
- Median home value: $636,400 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,500 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $78,292
- Top public schools: Aspen High School (A), Aspen Community Charter School (A), Aspen Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: ($46.0 million, 17 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $636,400 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,500 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $78,292
- Top public schools: Aspen High School (A), Aspen Community Charter School (A), Aspen Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: ($46.0 million, 17 bedrooms)
#23. Boulder
- Population: 106,392
- Median home value: $700,000 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,554 (52% rent)
- Median household income: $69,520
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Boulder High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Tara Performing Arts High School (A), Watershed School (A), Shining Mountain Waldorf School (A)
- Pictured: ($8.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $700,000 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,554 (52% rent)
- Median household income: $69,520
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Boulder High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Tara Performing Arts High School (A), Watershed School (A), Shining Mountain Waldorf School (A)
- Pictured: ($8.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
#22. Lone Tree
- Population: 12,923
- Median home value: $634,000 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,724 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $120,392
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A)
- Top private schools: Word of Life Christian Center (unavailable), Kiddie Academy of Lone Tree (unavailable), Merryhill Preschool - Lone Tree (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $634,000 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,724 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $120,392
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A)
- Top private schools: Word of Life Christian Center (unavailable), Kiddie Academy of Lone Tree (unavailable), Merryhill Preschool - Lone Tree (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
#21. Lafayette
- Population: 28,742
- Median home value: $422,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,495 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $83,342
- Top public schools: Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Monarch High School (A+), Summit Middle Charter School (A)
- Top private schools: Treehouse Learning (unavailable), Primrose School of Lafayette (unavailable), The Learning Experience - Lafayette (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $422,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,495 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $83,342
- Top public schools: Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Monarch High School (A+), Summit Middle Charter School (A)
- Top private schools: Treehouse Learning (unavailable), Primrose School of Lafayette (unavailable), The Learning Experience - Lafayette (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Highest-rated specialty museums in Colorado by visitors
#20. Evergreen
- Population: 8,885
- Median home value: $484,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,905 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $116,594
- Top public schools: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (A+), Evergreen High School (A+), Dennison Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: ($6.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $484,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,905 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $116,594
- Top public schools: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (A+), Evergreen High School (A+), Dennison Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: ($6.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
#19. Gleneagle
- Population: 6,885
- Median home value: $365,300 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,394 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $116,807
- Top public schools: Classical Academy High School (A), The Classical Academy College Pathways (A), The Classical Academy North Elementary (A)
- Pictured: ($879,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $365,300 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,394 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $116,807
- Top public schools: Classical Academy High School (A), The Classical Academy College Pathways (A), The Classical Academy North Elementary (A)
- Pictured: ($879,900, 4 bedrooms)
#18. Castle Pines Village
- Population: 4,553
- Median home value: $1,019,800 (94% own)
- Median rent: $2,209 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $236,016
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A)
- Pictured: ($4.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,019,800 (94% own)
- Median rent: $2,209 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $236,016
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A)
- Pictured: ($4.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
#17. Woodmoor
- Population: 9,345
- Median home value: $481,100 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,782 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $145,625
- Top public schools: Palmer Ridge High School (A), Prairie Winds Elementary School (A), Lewis-Palmer Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: ($875,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $481,100 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,782 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $145,625
- Top public schools: Palmer Ridge High School (A), Prairie Winds Elementary School (A), Lewis-Palmer Middle School (A-)
- Pictured: ($875,000, 4 bedrooms)
#16. Timnath
- Population: 3,476
- Median home value: $502,400 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,242 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $138,576
- Top public schools: Liberty Common Charter School (A+), Fossil Ridge High School (A), Traut Core Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $502,400 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,242 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $138,576
- Top public schools: Liberty Common Charter School (A+), Fossil Ridge High School (A), Traut Core Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Fastest-growing jobs in Colorado
#15. Monument
- Population: 7,398
- Median home value: $381,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,586 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $107,168
- Top public schools: Classical Academy High School (A), Palmer Ridge High School (A), Prairie Winds Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Peter Catholic School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $381,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,586 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $107,168
- Top public schools: Classical Academy High School (A), Palmer Ridge High School (A), Prairie Winds Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Peter Catholic School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
#14. Stonegate
- Population: 9,847
- Median home value: $447,700 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,656 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $128,323
- Top public schools: STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A), North Star Academy (A)
- Pictured: ($745,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $447,700 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,656 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $128,323
- Top public schools: STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A), North Star Academy (A)
- Pictured: ($745,000, 4 bedrooms)
#13. Gunbarrel
- Population: 10,202
- Median home value: $531,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,579 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $86,107
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Boulder High School (A+)
- Pictured: ($1.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $531,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,579 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $86,107
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Boulder High School (A+)
- Pictured: ($1.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
#12. Columbine Valley
- Population: 1,241
- Median home value: $914,500 (98% own)
- Median rent: $3,111 (2% rent)
- Median household income: $179,375
- Top public schools: Littleton Academy (A), Wilder Elementary School (A), Goddard Middle School (A)
- Pictured: ($1.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $914,500 (98% own)
- Median rent: $3,111 (2% rent)
- Median household income: $179,375
- Top public schools: Littleton Academy (A), Wilder Elementary School (A), Goddard Middle School (A)
- Pictured: ($1.9 million, 4 bedrooms)
#11. Inverness
- Population: 1,567
- Median home value: $607,100 (23% own)
- Median rent: $1,717 (77% rent)
- Median household income: $103,462
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Pictured: ($525,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $607,100 (23% own)
- Median rent: $1,717 (77% rent)
- Median household income: $103,462
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Pictured: ($525,000, 2 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Cities with the most UFO sightings in Colorado
#10. Dove Valley
- Population: 5,673
- Median home value: $305,100 (41% own)
- Median rent: $1,407 (59% rent)
- Median household income: $70,000
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Pictured: ($295,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $305,100 (41% own)
- Median rent: $1,407 (59% rent)
- Median household income: $70,000
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Pictured: ($295,000, 2 bedrooms)
#9. Louisville
- Population: 20,860
- Median home value: $587,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,607 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $103,017
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Monarch High School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Louis Catholic School (unavailable), Louisville Montessori School (unavailable), Fairview Montessori School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.4 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $587,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,607 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $103,017
- Top public schools: Fairview High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Monarch High School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Louis Catholic School (unavailable), Louisville Montessori School (unavailable), Fairview Montessori School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($1.4 million, 5 bedrooms)
#8. Cherry Hills Village
- Population: 6,647
- Median home value: $1,727,100 (95% own)
- Median rent: $2,201 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $250,001
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Kent Denver School (A+)
- Pictured: ($6.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,727,100 (95% own)
- Median rent: $2,201 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $250,001
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Kent Denver School (A+)
- Pictured: ($6.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
#7. Centennial
- Population: 110,218
- Median home value: $433,800 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,740 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $109,324
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Thomas More Catholic School (unavailable), Montessori School of Aurora (unavailable), Shepherd of the Hills Christian School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.8 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $433,800 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,740 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $109,324
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Grandview High School (A+), Challenge School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Thomas More Catholic School (unavailable), Montessori School of Aurora (unavailable), Shepherd of the Hills Christian School (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($2.8 million, 6 bedrooms)
#6. Highlands Ranch
- Population: 105,631
- Median home value: $467,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,922 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $125,454
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), Mountain Vista High School (A), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A)
- Top private schools: Valor Christian High School (A+), Mile High Academy (A), Arma Dei Academy (A)
- Pictured: ($2.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $467,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,922 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $125,454
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), Mountain Vista High School (A), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A)
- Top private schools: Valor Christian High School (A+), Mile High Academy (A), Arma Dei Academy (A)
- Pictured: ($2.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Highest-rated IPAs in Colorado
#5. Greenwood Village
- Population: 15,738
- Median home value: $927,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,746 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $129,035
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Aspen Academy (A+), Bright Horizons Montessori School at Greenwood Plaza (unavailable), Fusion Academy Denver (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($4.4 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $927,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,746 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $129,035
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Aspen Academy (A+), Bright Horizons Montessori School at Greenwood Plaza (unavailable), Fusion Academy Denver (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($4.4 million, 5 bedrooms)
#4. Castle Pines
- Population: 10,591
- Median home value: $615,400 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,768 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $163,819
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A)
- Pictured: ($1.3 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $615,400 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,768 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $163,819
- Top public schools: Rock Canyon High School (A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (A)
- Pictured: ($1.3 million, 6 bedrooms)
#3. Superior
- Population: 13,077
- Median home value: $576,800 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,922 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $127,292
- Top public schools: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Monarch High School (A+)
- Pictured: ($1.6 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $576,800 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,922 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $127,292
- Top public schools: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (A+), Peak to Peak Charter School (A+), Monarch High School (A+)
- Pictured: ($1.6 million, 3 bedrooms)
#2. Cherry Creek
- Population: 12,496
- Median home value: $628,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,617 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $110,988
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Pictured: ($1.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $628,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,617 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $110,988
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Pictured: ($1.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
#1. Holly Hills
- Population: 2,835
- Median home value: $460,100 (97% own)
- Median rent: $2,634 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $132,955
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Calvary Apostolic Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($595,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $460,100 (97% own)
- Median rent: $2,634 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $132,955
- Top public schools: Cherry Creek High School (A+), Challenge School (A), Cherry Creek Charter Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Calvary Apostolic Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: ($595,000, 4 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Most commonly seen birds in Colorado
