11 Best Places to Live in Colorado for Families

Colorado offers stunning scenery, a thriving job market, and plenty of outdoor activities – all reasons it’s a fantastic place to raise a family. But with so many cities and towns, choosing the right one can be tough.

This blog helps narrow your search! We’ve ranked the 10 best places in Colorado to raise a family in 2024, considering factors that matter most to parents, like crime rates, poverty levels, school quality, access to recreation, and of course, affordability.

Is Colorado a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Colorado ranks well for families, offering a strong economy, excellent outdoor activities, and good schools. However, affordability can be a challenge, with housing costs above average.

Best Places to Raise a Family in Colorado

1. Fort Collins

For families, Fort Collins is the best place to live in Colorado. This Larimer County city has a violent crime rate of 16.2 which is lower than the US national average of 22.7. It has 875 acres of dedicated park space and you will find plenty of community and neighborhood parks in it including Lee Martinez Park, City Park, and Fossil Creek Park.

 

The unemployment rate in Fort Collins is only 2.9% which means the parents have plenty of job opportunities. Plus, the median household income here is $78,977, which is above the US average of $75,149.

The public school system in FC is also one of the best in the entire country and it is home to Colorado State University and Front Range Community College’s Larimer campus.

However, all these things come with a higher housing cost which stands at $571,521, 2.3% more than the previous year.

2. Centennial

Centennial is a wealthy Colorado city with a median household income of $124,617. The city is ideal for families with school-going kids as award-winning school districts of The Cherry Creek School District and Littleton Public School Schools serve the area.

 

Another benefit of living in Centennial is its low crime rate, which stands at 13.1 per 100,000 residents. Only 3.1% of people in the city are below the poverty level as compared to the national average of 11.5%, so you can expect a better living standard.

But all these benefits come at a cost – especially housing costs. The average home price in the city is $667,782 which is way above the national average of $360,681.

3. Louisville

This former mining community is another great place for families. The city is recognized for its livability and offers perks like great schools, supreme quality of life, and positive economic conditions.

There are 1,700 acres of open space in Louisville and people enjoy a diverse mix of employment opportunities. The crime rate is also low standing at 10.7 and the poverty level is only 5.4%.

Louisville schools, part of the Boulder Valley School District, offer open enrollment and consistently rank among the state’s top in standardized tests. The average home price is on the higher side, standing at $855,868, but it is consolidated with the median household income of $135,840.

4. Greenwood Village

Located just south of Denver, Greenwood Village is next on our list of best places to live in Colorado for Families. Families here enjoy 300 acres of parks, 40 miles of scenic walking and biking areas, and outdoor attractions like Littleton Museum and Pirates Cove Water Park.

The violent crime rate in the city is relatively lower than the national average, standing at 16.1 per 100,000 residents. The best thing about living in Greenwood Village is the higher median household income (standing at $139,144) and the low percentage of people living in poverty (5.5%).

Just like other cities on the list, housing is pretty expensive here with a median house price of $1,435,449.

5. Arvada

Arvada is an ideal home-rule municipality located on the border between Jefferson and Adams counties. With a poverty rate of 5.8% and a median household income of $106,014, families here enjoy a high-quality life.

 

The crime rate is only 10.5 per 100,000 residents, and people here are highly educated, with 45.4% having a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is no shortage of outdoor activities as Arvada is home to miles of hiking and biking trails.

The only thing to consider before moving here is growing housing costs. The median home price in Arvada stands at $628,146, which is 3.9% more as compared to last year’s price.

6. Loveland

Loveland is the second most populous community in Larimer County with a population of 77,884. Living in Loveland means you are living in a place full of private and charter schools plus higher educational institutes such as Colorado State University (CSU), University of Colorado at Boulder (CU), and University of Northern Colorado (UNC).

There are plenty of outdoor adventures in Loveland as the city is home to many lakes, open spaces, and trails where your little ones can enjoy activities like hiking, cycling, fishing, and camping.

The city is also a safe one, with a violent crime rate of 19.2. The median home price is $508,563, and people here enjoy a healthy income of $81,898. The poverty rate is 7.8%.

7. Littleton

Littleton, the 20th most populous municipality in Colorado with a population of 44,755, is next on our list. It is located just a few miles from Denver where people enjoy a plethora of shops, eateries, restaurants, and bars.

 

South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, covering 878-acre, are located here. The park is one of the largest suburban parks in the United States. It is also home to The Littleton Museum where the kids and adults can interact with history farms and galleries.

Safety is also a top priority in the city. The violent crime rate is well below the national average, standing at 12.2 per 100,000 residents. However, the median home price is a bit on the higher side, with the average house costing $662,601.

Education standard is also pretty good as Littleton School District ranked No. 6 in Arapahoe County, contains 24 schools and 13,698 students.

8. Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, located more than a mile above sea level, is the most populous city in El Paso County. As per data, there is a 15% increase in Colorado Springs population from 2010 to 2020. With great schools, short commute times, and affordable housing, it’s no wonder Colorado Springs is consistently ranked on the families list.

 

The median home price here is $459,671, which is lower as compared to the other cities on the list. The poverty rate is 10.4% and the median household income stands at $79,026.

Education in this Olympic City is in a class all its own and more than 38% of the residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The only downside of living in Colorado Springs is the higher crime rate, which stands at 23.6 slightly higher than the US average of 22.7.

9. Parker

Ranked as the second best city to live in America by Money.com, Parker is next on our list. This home rule municipality is located in Douglas County with a short commute to Denver. Students in Parker attend Douglas County School District, which boasts some of the top-scoring students in Colorado. On average, they score 12 to 19 percent above the state average.

 

Both property and violent crime rates in Parker are way below the US national average. The median household income in the city is $126,615 and only 3.4% of people live in Poverty.

There is plenty to do outdoors too. Places like The Rueter–Hess Reservoir, The Parker Recreation Center, and The Parker Racquet Club keep families engaged throughout the year. The only concern living in Parker is its rising housing cost. Currently, the median home price in the city is $711,052, 1.3% more as compared to last year.

10. Westminster

The last city on our list of best places to raise a family in Colorado is Westminster. The city is easily accessible from Denver and Boulder, it has plenty to offer for families with places like Butterfly Pavilion, Adventure Golf & Raceway, Stanley Lake Regional Park, and Stanley Lake.

 

The best thing about Westminster is the average age of residents: 37.7. And among them, 29.9% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The median home price is also moderate standing at $546,753 and only 6.5% of people in Westminster live in poverty. With a median household income of $90,651, residents enjoy a high-quality living standard. Plus, the violent crime rate which is 12.2,  is significantly lower than the national average.