Study: Best Cities to Raise a Family in Colorado

Colorado may best be known for its mountain vistas and winter ski destinations, but it's also an ideal place to raise a family. Residents are active and athletic, with the lowest obesity rate in the entire nation. The state's unemployment rate also tends to run slightly below the national average. Sounds good, doesn't it? Read on to find out which places top the list of best family-friendly cities in Colorado.

Study Methodology

We analyzed the following criteria to discover Colorado’s hidden – and not-so-hidden – gems for young families.

• Percentage of residents with a high school degree or higher: education is important, so we found the places with well-educated populations
  
• Average commute time: no one wants to spend their free time stuck in traffic when they could be at home with their family
  
• Percentage of families with children under 18: building a network of supportive friends is critical to many young families
  
• Percentage of residents living in the same residence for one year or longer: many parents want to raise their kids in a community-minded area, not one where there is a lot of transience
  
• Percentage of income for housing: everyone needs affordable housing and this factor lets us know how cities fare in reference to income as well

Top 10 Cities in Colorado for Families

10. Thornton

• Residents with high school degree: 87.5%
  
• Average commute time: 29.3 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 40.4%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 84.2%
  
• Income for housing: 25%

Just ten miles outside of Denver, Thornton offers prime suburban amenities with easy access to the state capital. Not surprisingly, the city has over 80 public parks and more than 80 miles of trails, giving you and your family plenty of options to enjoy the outdoors. Other available activities include golf, Frisbee golf and ziplining.

9. Colorado Springs

• Residents with high school degree: 92.8%
  
• Average commute time: 20.9 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 30.6%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 76.2%
  
• Income for housing: 23.6%

The most populous city on our top 10, Colorado Springs is a family-friendly option for people who prefer a more urban atmosphere. The iconic Rocky Mountains are within close proximity, and the Garden of the Gods is a must-see national natural landmark. There are also several large companies, with defense, technology and tourism as the major economic industry drivers. Not surprising, the city has the shortest commute time on our list.

8. Lafayette

• Residents with high school degree: 93.3%
  
• Average commute time: 25.3 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 31.6%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 81.2%
  
• Income for housing: 23.2%

If Colorado Springs is the right place for urbanite young families, Lafayette is the place for families who prefer a small town. With a population just over 25,000, it is the smallest city in our top 10, but it offers a lot for families. Shorter commute times and relatively low housing costs make it easy to settle in. Not only that, residents enjoy several annual festivals, including an oatmeal festival, peach festival and a wine festival.

7. Loveland

• Residents with high school degree: 93%
  
• Average commute time: 25.1 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 30%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 83.4%
  
• Income for housing: 23.7%

With one of the higher percentages of families staying in the same house for more than a year, it’s no surprise Loveland makes residents want to stay. Loveland has a strong community of local artists, and the city’s public art collection contains more than 300 pieces, including 100 sculptures at the Benson Sculpture Garden. Not only that, the city is famous for its Valentine Re-mailing Program, allowing people from around the world to have their valentine letters stamped and sent from Loveland for a little extra romance. The town also holds a number of events surrounding this special celebration.

6. Fountain

• Residents with high school degree: 94.1%
  
• Average commute time: 22.5 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 47.5%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 77.8%
  
• Income for housing: 26.9%

Fountain is certainly a family-friendly city, with over 47% with children under 18 years old. Just south of Colorado Springs, there is easy access to the urban center, with a much smaller town atmosphere for day-to-day living. For a totally unique experience, take the family out to a NASCAR race at the Pikes Peak International Raceway.

5. Arvada

• Residents with high school degree: 93.3%
  
• Average commute time: 25.6 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 28.7%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 84.7%
  
• Income for housing: 23.3%

Located outside of Denver, Arvada is an ideal place for city commuters to settle down with the family. The town offers free outdoor movies in Olde Town Square during the summer, playing family-friendly classics and newer releases. Get the kids to appreciate the great outdoors by taking them to the Majestic View Nature Center, which boasts hands-on exhibits and over 80 acres of outdoor space to explore.

4. Castle Rock

• Residents with high school degree: 95.5%
  
• Average commute time: 28.7 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 43%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 85%
  
• Income for housing: 82.2%

Castle Rock residents have one of the higher percentages of high school degrees on our top 10, displaying a strong confidence in the local school system. The city is also just a short drive to the Denver Technological Center, which houses many major employers like Time Warner Cable, Boeing and more. Learn more about Castle Rock by visiting the Castle Rock Historical Museum, which depicts the town’s history in a 19th century railway depot building.

3. Broomfield

• Residents with high school degree: 95.2%
  
• Average commute time: 25.8 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 33.4%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 82.9%
  
• Income for housing: 22.3%

Affordable housing is one of Broomfield’s major assets, not to mention its family-friendly atmosphere. Free outdoor concerts are held regularly throughout the summer, offering a variety of musical genres. There are also tons of lakes, parks and trails to enjoy with the kids, and even a comprehensive skate park if you’re feeling adventurous.

2. Parker

• Residents with high school degree: 97.4%
  
• Average commute time: 27.6 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 48.9%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 83.5%
  
• Income for housing: 22.7%

With the highest percentage of high school degrees and families with kids on our list, Parker is an ideal location for young families. Cherry Creek Trail is a popular destination in the town, and not only supports hiking and cycling, but also cross-country skiing. Parker also becomes a festival for the winter holidays, holding an annual Christmas Carriage Parade complete with outdoor markets, ice sculptures, children’s pony rides and more.

1. Centennial

• Residents with high school degree: 97%
  
• Average commute time: 25.1 minutes
  
• Families with children under 18: 34.9%
  
• Residents living in the same house as last year: 87.3%
  
• Income for housing: 21.2%

Centennial rounds out our top 10 list with the most affordable housing and the most families staying in the same house for more than a year. Centennial Center Park offers a range of facilities and events, including a water park, farmers market and summer laser light show. For sporty families, check out the nearby Broncos Training Facility, where Denver’s pro football team prepares each year.

With sweeping landscapes, good schools and affordable housing, there are plenty of options for young families to make a home in Colorado. Whether you prefer small towns nestled in the mountains or big-city living, you’ll find both throughout the Rocky Mountain Empire.