RANK #960 / 996 · POP 654,453 · CO
PROJECTED GROWTH: -3.4%
Arapahoe County, Colorado, distinguishes itself as "Colorado's First County," with origins predating the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1858. Located immediately south and east of Denver, the county offers a blend of urban, suburban, and rural environments. Commuting throughout the Denver metro area is facilitated by major roadways, interstate highways, and the E-470 toll road, alongside RTD Light Rail and bus services. The community provides extensive outdoor recreation, with Cherry Creek State Park offering an 880-acre reservoir for boating, fishing, and swimming, along with miles of trails. Other natural amenities include the High Line Canal Trail and the South Platte River, popular for various activities.
Life in Arapahoe County appeals to families and professionals, with highly-rated public schools, including those in the Cherry Creek and Littleton Public School Districts. The county is actively expanding its transportation options, including micro-transit and micromobility services, to better connect residents. The economy is driven by sectors such as technology, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services, attracting businesses and job seekers. Recent economic developments include a focus on business attraction, retention, and infrastructure enhancement, contributing to job growth in the region.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Aurora-Denver Campus Data Center
QTS Data Centers
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Front Range Energy Storage System
Plus Power/Front Range Energy Storage LLC
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Adams County Wind Project (portion in Arapahoe County)
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Hunter Solar Farm
Hunter Solar, LLC
|
$75M | Operating |
|
Arapahoe Combined Cycle Natural Gas Plant (CORE Energy Purchase)
CORE Electric Cooperative
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Sky Ranch Master-Planned Community
Various Home Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Arapahoe County has a Boom Town Index score of 4/100, ranking #960 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.2% and a median household income of $92,292, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Arapahoe County is $480,500 with median rent at $1,708/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1921, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.2%. Home values changed -3.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.78% of Arapahoe County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.