We found out everything you wanted to know about the makes The Mile High City so great to live in from the people that call it home.
Denver: Fast Facts
- Denver is the 18th most-populous city in the U.S., the second largest city by area, and the largest city in Colorado, followed by Colorado Springs and Aurora. It is also the nineteenth-largest metropolitan area in the nation and is located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
- Denver is currently growing at a rate of 1.3% annually and reached an estimated population of 766,000 in 2026. The current metro area population is approximately 2,950,000, a 1.1% increase from the previous year. The cosmopolitan city of Denver serves as both the state capital and Colorado’s largest city. Nearly 30 people move to the Denver area every day.
- With a vibrant, well-educated, and youthful population, the median age in Denver is 37 years. In the Denver metro area, about 50% of people over 25 have at least a Bachelor’s Degree.
- The local government has been committed to investing in transforming the city into a tech hub, and it shows. There’s an entire ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs, and the business scene also feels diverse because tech isn’t the only booming industry. Colorado has the sixth-highest concentration of creatives in the U.S., giving startups and major companies access to a diverse talent pool.
- Denver’s tech-talent labor pool is the 12th largest nationally, with approximately 120,000 workers, which amounts to 6.8% of the overall Denver workforce, significantly higher than the national average of 3.7%. The city has the fifth fastest-growing tech labor pool in North America. Over the past five years, Denver added roughly 30,000 tech jobs.
There’s a lot of ethnic diversity. It really depends where you live. Denver tends to be less socially stratified than other cities that have distinctly black neighborhoods or distinctly hispanic neighborhoods. You’ll find a lot of Black people in areas like Five Points, Clayton, Montbello, and Aurora. There’s a lot of Hispanic people in my neighborhood (Baker) and extending further west into Lakewood. Also: Aurora.
Baker M
Denver Neighborhoods
Downtown Denver – This area has Denver’s most metropolitan feel — bustling streets, lots of pedestrians, mostly high-rise buildings — and is outlined by North Broadway, Park Ave West, Speer Boulevard, Colfax Ave, and the South Platte River. Depending on the vibe you’re looking for, you’ll have to choose between downtown’s Central Business District (CBD) or Lower Downtownaka LoDo. The CBD is more of a business hub, bustling during business hours but not as hip and happening as LoDo in the evening.LoDo is where to go to experience the action of Denver’s best: bars, restaurants, nightlife, and sites like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Coors Field, and Commons Park. This area is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want a car, has an active social life, and wants the bulk of what the city has to offer right at their doorstep.
The Capitol Hill neighborhood, or Cap Hill if you’re a local, is adjacent downtown and picks up at the Colorado Capitol Building where the CBD stops. Cap Hill is full of life with its vibrant arts and culture scene. In this ‘hood you’ll get six museums (including the Denver Art Museum and Clyfford Still Museum), tons of galleries, and the Curious Theater Company as your performing arts space. You’ll also find a range of global cuisine restaurants from casual to fine dining, breweries, cocktail bars, and clubs. This is a neighborhood for people and personalities who like to brunch.
Cherry Creek is one of Denver’s more upscale neighborhoods. Apartment buildings are elegant and new. Most are within walking distance to high-end shopping and dining. Construction has been a constant in this neighborhood for the past few years as interest in the area continues to grow. There’s plenty of access to public transportation. Whole Foods and the Cherry Creek Mall are within walking distance of most housing.
One of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods,Five Points, boasts a diverse history, its roots dating back to the pre-Capitol Hill era. Five Points is known to locals for its vast, multicultural history, marks of which can still be seen in the neighborhood’s businesses. Previously known for a short time as “Harlem of the West”, Five Points played host to many famous African-American jazz musicians. Efforts to renew and revitalize the area are well underway, making Five Points one of Denver’s most treasured neighborhoods.
Platt Park: this quaint, historic neighborhood feels like a small town with its summertime farmer’s markets and charming main drag, Old South Pearl Street. Trolley tracks from days gone peek their way through the asphalt. Homes are quiet bungalows popular with first-time home buyers, the neighborhood bridges the gap between historical and modern. It is its own cozy district that will feel like home immediately. At the turn of the 20th century, this neighborhood was its own city, separate from Denver. This gives Platt Park its vintage feel, as most establishments choose to carefully renovate rather than tear down and rebuild.
While smaller than a typical ‘college town’, University Park’s proximity to the University of Denver drives much of its unique energy. Weekend nights are busy and there are plenty of dive bars to quench your thirst at. Sometimes referred to as The DU neighborhood, this area offers a wide variety of rentals— and doesn’t fit any one stereotype. University Park is a fun, lively place to call home. This quaint neighborhood in Denver is full of eager students and historical architecture. While DU campus is close by, all walks of life live in this charming area. With plenty of green space to roam around in and watering holes to try trendy cocktails at, there is never a shortage of fun things to do.
Famous for its namesake, the neighborhood of Washington Park is a gorgeous and pricey spot to call home. The 155-acre park serves as the neighborhood’s epicenter and is lined by beautiful historic and modern homes. People from all walks of life call Wash Park home and you’re sure to make friends at any of the pick up games this summer. With its namesake park and Cherry Creek Trail a short walk away, the Wash Park neighborhood provides an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. Local restaurants line the streets of this energetic neighborhood and provide a welcoming introduction into one of the most popular areas in Denver. You’ll find residents and their dogs taking a morning stroll down tree-lined streets or grabbing a warm coffee at any of the locally owned cafes that are sprinkled throughout this neighborhood.
This little slice of heaven has everything one could wish for. Situated near Baker’s burgeoning arts district and just north of a myriad of vintage shops, South Broadway is a great place for music lovers and foodies. South Broadway is home to many of Denver’s greatest dive bars and some of the best music venues in the city. The residential streets remain relatively quiet and provide ample space for after work strolls with the pooch. This vibrant area is widely recognized for its colorful storefronts, hip restaurants, and music venues that line Broadway street. No matter where you draw the line, this eccentric collection of dive bars, galleries, hole-in-the-wall pizza joints, and vintage stores gives Denver a healthy dose of cool.
Uptown offers residents a break from the 16th Street Mall and the city’s bustle, while still situated on major bus routes only a stone’s throw from downtown. Professionals and commuters alike spend their time on 17th dining at Uptown’s unique, moderately priced restaurants. Beautiful churches, historic brick row houses, and modern apartment buildings form the amalgam that is Uptown. Uptown is an extremely eclectic neighborhood. Walk through the tree-lined streets and you’ll see a mix of Victorian homes and modern loft apartments. This area shares many qualities with Cap Hill and City Park West, but is located closer to the bustle of Downtown. If you’re looking for a community feel, but still want to be near urban conveniences, Uptown is for you.
Harvey Park is located in Southwest Denver and is bounded by South Sheridan, Hampden, Lowell, and Jewell. Built in the 1950’s, it’s known for its selection of some of Denver’s best mid-century modern architecture. Cliff May-style California Contemporary homes fill the neighborhoods’ quiet, suburban-like streets.
Sunnyside is located in Northwest Denver, Sunnyside is bounded by I70, 38th, Federal, and I25. It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood near trendy Tennyson and is already pretty well discovered, yet still in transition. It’s easy to take a bike ride or a walk downtown, and there is easy access to get out of town. Trendy coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, and home goods stores are starting to pop up everywhere.
Best part about living in Denver is living close to the center of town. There are a lot of neighborhoods to accommodate different income levels, but each is safe (police-wise) and welcoming. The suburbs are not the same. The city is pretty safe. A lot of people here like the city for its proximity to the mountains and a plethora of outdoor physical activities. It’s also a city of a predominately high percentage of educated population. So, you won’t find a lot of conservatives, overall.
Logan F
Doing Business in Denver
Denver, Colorado was named sixth on Forbes Magazine’s “Best Places for Business and Careers”. Due to its proximity to the mineral-rich Rocky Mountains, Denver has long been a home for mining and energy companies.
Key Industries: Aerospace and Aviation, Broadcast and Telecommunications, Healthcare and Wellness, Financial Services, Bioscience, Energy, and IT-Software
Major Employers: Denver Health, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo Bank, Children’s Hospital Colorado, CenturyLink, Ball Corporation
Major Tech Companies with Offices in Seattle: HomeAdvisor, Vantiv, Zayo Group, CA Technologies, BiggerPockets, TrackVia, Convercent, Havenly
Major Financial Services and Insurance Companies with Offices in Denver: Janus Capital Group, JD Edwards, Western Union, Charles Schwab, First Data Corp., Lockton Companies, IMA Inc., Hub International Insurance Services Inc., IMA, Denver West Insurance Brokers
Denver offers a chance to build sustainably successful businesses outside the confines of Silicon Valley or New York City. In fact, analytics company Palantir is one of the latest tech firms to leave Silicon Valley for a new headquarters in Denver, citing the Denver area as a better cultural fit.
Cost of Living in Denver
Cost of living in Denver is 12% higher than the national average
- Denver’s housing expenses are 34% higher than the national average
- Utility prices are 6% lower than the national average
- Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 6% higher than the national average.
- Denver has grocery prices that are 2% lower than the national average.
- Healthcare in Denver is 5% higher than the national average.
Median Household Income of $68,377 (2026 estimate).
Denver Apartment Living
Denver’s rental market continues to evolve as more people move to the city and nearby metro areas like Aurora, Lakewood, and Colorado Springs. While rent prices in some large cities remain high, Denver offers more reasonable options for renters compared to major metropolitan markets.
The average rent in Denver for a 1-bedroom apartment is currently $1,520, while a 2-bedroom apartment averages $2,120. Prices vary by neighborhood, with Downtown, Capitol Hill, and Cherry Creek among the most expensive, and Aurora and Lakewood offering more affordable options.
A new startup, Nomad, is working to make the Denver rental market smoother for both landlords and tenants. Property owners sign up for one-, two-, or three-year contracts with guaranteed monthly rent. Tenants can move between Nomad properties without penalties for breaking a lease, providing flexibility for renters relocating within the Denver metro area.
What Denver Renters Want
Tenants report the following features as the most important when looking for a rental property in Denver:
- Work from home spaces
- High-speed internet
- Walk-in closet
- Soundproof walls
- Private parking
- Fitness Center
- Washer/Dryer
- Roof decks and gardens
Most of the good work is going to come from The Denver Tech Center in the Englewood and Centennial area; South of Denver. That’s where I live now. While I work from home for a company based in the D.C. area, I still like to keep close to this part of town in case my situation changes. There’s some good companies down here with (almost) fair salaries. The other big one would be downtown, but I try to steer clear of that area. Most of the jobs I’ve seen downtown are for law firms and financial institutes… Really not my thing, but that’s just me.
Amy G
Arts, Recreation, and Entertainment in Denver
Denver and the neighboring Rocky Mountains are overflowing with outdoor activities like cycling, running, white-water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, and more. From spring through summer, weekends in Denver are filled with festivals featuring arts, entertainment, food, and local culture.
From fun fall festivals to holiday weekend celebrations, Denver’s events calendar is packed year-round. Whether planning a romantic weekend for Valentine’s Day or searching for free fall activities, Denver offers something for every visitor and resident.
The Denver Chalk Art Festival features more than 200 professional and amateur artists who spend two days transforming Larimer Square into a bright, colorful street museum adorned with vivid pastel chalks.
The River North Art District (RiNo), known as “where art is made,” features a rhino-inspired logo throughout the neighborhood. RiNo’s blend of urban charm and industrial revival makes it a must-visit destination, with historic warehouses and factories now housing jazz bars, restaurants, breweries, art galleries, and working studios.
Colorado has one of the most colorful railroad histories in the world. Following gold and silver discoveries in the Rockies, rail lines were built through nearly every canyon and high pass, connecting mining camps and communities. The Colorado Railroad Museum is housed in a replica 1880-style masonry depot and includes 50,000 rare photographs and artifacts. Its 12-acre grounds feature over 50 narrow- and standard-gauge locomotives, cars, and rolling stock. The Denver Trolley is a replica open-air streetcar operated in the pre-World War I era, and the Georgetown Loop Railroad reconstructs one of Colorado’s most famous historic railroads.
Denver is home to six professional sports teams:
- Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Denver Broncos (NFL)
- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
- Colorado Rapids (MLS)
- Colorado Mammoth (NLL)
- Denver Nuggets (NBA)
Sports fans have plenty of attractions to visit in Denver. “Behind the Seams” tours of Coors Field provide a behind-the-scenes look at one of the premier ballparks in Major League Baseball. Fans can also visit the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, a free museum honoring Colorado sports legends.
Ball Arena is where the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Mammoth call home. Tours of this arena show how the venue converts from hockey ice to basketball court, and gives backstage access to where the big names in music have performed.
The National Ballpark Museum is recognized as one of the finest baseball collections in the world. Personalized tours include a tribute to Colorado baseball history, seats from the classic ballparks, one-of-a-kind baseball artifacts, and autographed jerseys, baseballs, uniforms, and bats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the weather like in Denver year-round?
Denver has a semi-arid climate with warm summers averaging 88°F, cold winters averaging 39°F, and moderate snowfall. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and residents should prepare for variable weather, especially in spring and fall.
How affordable is living in Denver?
The cost of living in Denver is about 12% higher than the national average, with housing expenses roughly 34% higher. Utilities are slightly lower than the national average, transportation and healthcare are higher, and the median household income is estimated at $68,377 in 2026.
What transportation options are available?
Denver offers RTD buses, light rail, ride-sharing services, and bike lanes. Many residents rely on cars, but the city is expanding pedestrian-friendly areas and public transit connectivity.
Are there family-friendly activities in Denver?
Yes! Families enjoy the Denver Zoo, Children’s Museum of Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, and numerous public parks with playgrounds, dog parks, and hiking trails.
What are some local culinary experiences?
Denver has a thriving food scene with Southwestern cuisine, farm-to-table dining, craft breweries, and coffee shops. Popular neighborhoods for dining include Downtown, LoDo, RiNo, and Cherry Creek.
Is Denver pet-friendly?
Denver is very pet-friendly, with dog parks, pet-friendly trails, and restaurants. Many apartment communities offer dog runs, grooming services, and pet amenities.
What educational opportunities are in Denver?
Denver is home to University of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Community College of Denver, and a variety of highly ranked K-12 school districts, including Cherry Creek, Denver Public Schools, and Jefferson County schools.
Can you enjoy nature and wildlife in Denver?
Absolutely! Denver is close to the Rocky Mountains, South Platte River, and Chatfield State Park, offering hiking, camping, wildlife spotting, boating, and birdwatching. City parks like Washington Park and City Park also provide green spaces for outdoor recreation.
How safe is Denver for residents and visitors?
Safety varies by neighborhood. Downtown and central districts have increased security, while suburbs like Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, and Centennial are considered very safe. Local police resources and community programs help maintain neighborhood security.
Are there opportunities for arts and culture in Denver?
Yes! Denver has a vibrant arts scene, including galleries in RiNo and Santa Fe Arts District, performance venues like the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and public art installations. Events like First Friday Art Walks, Denver Chalk Art Festival, and local music festivals showcase local and international talent.
Sources:
Census Reporter. “Denver, CO – Profile Data.” Census Reporter (American Community Survey 2023 1‑year estimates). Accessed January 2026. https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US0820000-denver-co/
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. “Denver County, Colorado.” U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed January 2026. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/denvercountycolorado
Denver Public Transportation | Buses and Light Rail. Visit Denver. Accessed January 2026. https://visitdenver.com/about-denver/transportation/public-transportation/
RTD Denver. “Routes and Services.” Regional Transportation District (RTD). Accessed January 2026. https://www.rtd-denver.com/routes-services
HomeSnacks. “Denver, CO Demographics And Statistics: Updated For 2025.” HomeSnacks.com. Accessed January 2026. https://www.homesnacks.com/co/denver/
Denver Art Museum. “Denver Art Museum.” Wikipedia. Accessed January 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Art_Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. “Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.” Wikipedia. Accessed January 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Contemporary_Art_Denver
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus. “Children’s Museum of Denver.” Wikipedia. Accessed January 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Museum_of_Denver.
Denver Zoo Railroad. “Denver Zoo Railroad.” DenverZoo.org. Accessed January 2026. https://denverzoo.org/experience/denver-zoo-railroad/
Denver.org. “Denver for Families.” Visit Denver. Accessed January 2026. https://www.denver.org/articles/post/denver-for-families/
