RANK #950 / 996 · POP 520,149 · CO
PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.7%
Adams County, Colorado, distinguishes itself with the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, a 15,000-acre urban wildlife refuge offering opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing. Located directly north of Denver, the county provides access to downtown Denver and is surrounded by Denver International Airport, facilitating travel. Commute options include major interstates like I-25 and I-70, along with RTD rail and bus services, including the N Line connecting to Denver's Union Station. The county boasts an extensive network of over 559 miles of trails, parks, and open spaces, such as Barr Lake State Park and Riverdale Regional Park, supporting outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, fishing, and birdwatching.
Life in Adams County offers a blend of suburban and rural environments, with diverse communities and a focus on affordability compared to other Denver metro areas. The county is served by 12 public school districts, some offering International Baccalaureate, STEM, and career and technical education programs. The economy is driven by various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, aviation and aerospace, and life sciences, with significant investment flowing into these areas. Recent initiatives aim to revitalize communities and support economic growth through infrastructure improvements and redevelopment.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Big Bronco Solar and Storage
Lightsource bp
|
$675M | Planned |
|
Vega Solar Energy Facility
Infinity Global (d/b/a Vega Solar Energy Facility, LLC)
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Adams County Wind Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Birdseye Energy Storage
Birdseye Energy Storage
|
$199M | Planned |
|
Byers Solar Farm
Silicon Ranch
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
United Power Battery Energy Storage Systems (8 sites)
Ameresco / United Power, Inc.
|
$78M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Adams County has a Boom Town Index score of 5/100, ranking #950 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $86,297, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Adams County is $425,000 with median rent at $1,632/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2031, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed -3.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.09% of Adams County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.