Boulder, CO Metro Area

Boulder, CO · Metro Area

328,961Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Denver-Aurora-Greeley, CO combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $103,994
Median home value: $756,300
Land area: 726 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Boulder County, CO	Central	328,961	$103,994	$756,300

Largest cities and towns

33 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Boulder, CO	City	106,433	$87,493
Longmont, CO	City	99,406	$90,671
Lafayette, CO	City	30,602	$119,040
Louisville, CO	City	20,786	$147,319
Superior, CO	Town	13,305	$159,434
Gunbarrel, CO	CDP	10,051	$109,407
Niwot, CO	CDP	3,447	$146,492
Coal Creek, CO	CDP	2,346	$134,250
Lyons, CO	Town	1,838	$122,837
Nederland, CO	Town	1,655	$122,917
Allenspark, CO	CDP	825	$108,056
Lazy Acres, CO	CDP	778	$147,625
Paragon Estates, CO	CDP	667	$230,268
Altona, CO	CDP	587	$149,327
Pine Brook Hill, CO	CDP	543	$63,606
Sugarloaf, CO	CDP	474	—
St. Ann Highlands, CO	CDP	453	$188,125
Tall Timber, CO	CDP	382	$203,110
Sunshine, CO	CDP	330	$78,365
Jamestown, CO	Town	324	$149,375
Eldorado Springs, CO	CDP	320	$133,008
Crisman, CO	CDP	268	$172,574
Bark Ranch, CO	CDP	199	$115,521
Seven Hills, CO	CDP	183	—
Mountain Meadows, CO	CDP	180	$157,976

Also in the Denver-Aurora-Greeley, CO combined area

Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · metro · 3,002,721 Greeley, CO · metro · 350,396

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Unemployment

4.8%

College Educated

64.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$103,994

Mean Household Income

$148,847

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Population Split

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German18.1%

English15.1%

Irish12.6%

Mexican9.9%

Italian5.3%

Polish3.1%

French2.9%

Scottish2.9%

African0.4%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

10.1%Foreign Born

89.9%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized52.1%

Non-Citizen47.9%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later33.6%

Before 201066.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

144,729

Median Rent

$1,966/mo

Median Home Value

$756,300

Median Year Built

1986

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

94,605

College Enrollment

36.8%

High School

16.8%

College Educated

64.2%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

22.3 min

Drive Alone Rate

52.8%

Public Transit

2.6%

Work From Home

31.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.5%

18-34 Years

29.0%

35-64 Years

37.1%

65+ Years

16.4%

Population Composition

Under 1817.5%

18-3429.0%

35-6437.1%

65+16.4%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

44.2%

Single Parent

4.4%

Living Alone

30.1%

Avg Size

2.30

Household Types

Married Couples44.2%

Single Parent4.4%

Living Alone30.1%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$62,436

SNAP Usage

5.9%

Health Insurance

95.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.6%

$25k - $50k12.1%

$50k - $100k23.6%

$100k+51.7%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.8%

Retail Trade

9.9%

Education & Health Care

23.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

9.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

95.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

95.7%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

98.3%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

105.2

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

78.4

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

How can this information help me in marketing?