RANK #929 / 996 NAT · #9 / 15 CO · POP 710,800
1YR FORECAST: -2.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +10%
Denver County, home to the city of Denver, Colorado, is known for its access to the Rocky Mountains and 300 days of sunshine annually. Located at exactly one mile above sea level, giving it the nickname "The Mile High City," Denver offers a blend of urban amenities and outdoor recreation. Residents and visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking in city parks like Confluence Park or venture to nearby Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre for trails and concerts. The city's climate features four distinct seasons, with mild winters where snow often melts quickly due to abundant sunshine. Commute options include the Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail and bus system, as well as carpooling and vanpooling services.
Life in Denver County attracts a mix of families and young professionals, drawn to its urban feel and proximity to nature. Denver Public Schools serves the county with over 200 educational institutions. The economy is diversified, with significant sectors including technology, aerospace, healthcare, financial services, and energy. Recent economic developments show growth in employment and ongoing investment in commercial and residential areas. This growth has contributed to a rising cost of living, particularly for housing.
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
River Mile Development
Kroenke Sports and Entertainment
|
$20,000M | Under Construction |
|
CoreSite DE3 Data Center Campus
CoreSite
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Ball Arena District Redevelopment
Kroenke Sports and Entertainment
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Renewable Natural Gas Facility at Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site
Waste Management (WM) and Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Denver County scores just 6/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #929 of 996 counties. Job growth at -0.6% and median household income of $85,853 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Denver County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $540,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,665/month on average.
Denver County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted -4.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.46% of Denver County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.