Greeley
RANK #935 / 996 NAT · #12 / 15 CO · POP 331,466
1YR FORECAST: -2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +9%
Weld County, Colorado, stands out for its vast agricultural lands and the striking Pawnee Buttes, which rise dramatically from the plains in the Pawnee National Grassland. Located in northern Colorado, it is about an hour's drive from Denver, offering a balance of rural character and access to urban amenities. The county boasts a dry, mild climate with warm summers and mild winters. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, including the 21-mile Poudre River Trail and St. Vrain State Park, known for fishing and camping.
Life in Weld County often appeals to families and those seeking a blend of community and open space. Commute options include regional bus services like the Poudre Express, connecting to Greeley, Windsor, and Fort Collins, and specialized paratransit services. The economy is diverse, with a strong foundation in agriculture and energy, and expanding sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and construction. This economic growth has contributed to Weld County being one of Colorado's fastest-growing areas, attracting new residents and jobs. The county is also home to 12 school districts and institutions like the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.6x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Global AI Data Center Campus
Global AI
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Agilent Technologies Manufacturing Expansion
Agilent Technologies
|
$725M | Under Construction |
|
Weld County Judicial and Administrative Center
Weld County Government
|
$490M | Planned |
|
Spindle Energy Center (Battery Storage)
Clearway Energy Group
|
$261M | Under Construction |
|
Taelor Solar Project (Solar + Battery Storage)
Undisclosed
|
$192M | Proposed |
|
Weld Solar Project (Solar + Battery Storage)
Weld Solar, LLC
|
$150M | 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 — Weld County scores just 5/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #935 of 996 counties. Job growth at +2.3% and median household income of $89,182 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Weld County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $412,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,351/month on average.
Weld County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.3% clip. Home values shifted -2.5% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 6.14% of Weld 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.