Moving to Denver, Colorado

by btobers · Published June 6, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Denver, Colorado is the largest city in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. It has a population of approximately 727,211 people as of 2020. Denver is situated at an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level and is surrounded by the High Plains to the east and the Rocky Mountains to the west. The climate in Denver is semi-arid with four distinct seasons. Summers are generally hot and dry with occasional thunderstorms, while winters bring cold temperatures with occasional snowfall.

The history of Denver dates back to 1858 when gold was discovered in what would become known as Auraria, on the banks of Cherry Creek near present-day downtown Denver. The city was first settled by prospectors during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and was named after James W. Denver, who served as Governor of Kansas Territory during this time period. Since then, Denver has grown into a thriving metropolitan area that is home to a diverse population made up of many different ethnicities and backgrounds.

Politics in Denver are largely dominated by Democrats who currently hold all nine seats on City Council. The City Council is responsible for setting policies that govern issues such as housing, public safety, transportation and economic development. In addition to City Council members, other elected officials include Mayor Michael Hancock, Governor Jared Polis and US Senator Michael Bennet.

The economy in Denver is largely driven by tourism due to its proximity to several major ski resorts as well as its vibrant downtown area which contains many restaurants and entertainment venues. Additionally, several large Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters or regional offices located in Denver such as Molson Coors Brewing Company and DaVita Inc., making it an important hub for business activity throughout Colorado and beyond.

Denver Public Schools serves over 93 thousand students throughout its system which consists of over 200 schools ranging from elementary to high school levels located throughout the city limits. In addition to public schools there are also several private schools located within the city limits such as East High School which offers college preparatory courses for students looking for more challenging academic opportunities than those offered at public school levels.

Some popular landmarks in Denver include Red Rocks Amphitheater which sits just outside city limits but still holds concerts year round featuring some of music’s biggest acts; Union Station which serves as a hub for RTD light rail lines; Coors Field which hosts Major League Baseball games; Larimer Square where visitors can enjoy fine dining experiences; Civic Center Park which offers outdoor activities including festivals throughout summer months; 16th Street Mall with numerous shops; LoDo District with art galleries; Elitch Gardens theme park; and Mile High Stadium home field for NFL’s Broncos team among many others attractions that attract millions visitors each year from all over world!

Population: 554,636. Estimated population in July 2024: 557,917 (+0.6% change)
Males: 280,207 (50.5%), Females: 274,429 (49.5%)

Zip codes: 80202, 80203, 80204, 80205, 80206, 80207, 80209, 80210, 80211, 80212, 80214, 80215, 80216, 80218, 80219, 80220, 80221, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80226, 80227, 80228, 80229, 80230, 80231, 80232, 80233, 80234, 80235, 80236, 80237, 80239, 80241, 80246, 80249, 80260, 80264, 80290, 80293, 80294.

Demographics

Median resident age: 33.1 years
Median household income: $39,500
Median house value: $165,800

Population by Race

Races in Denver:

White Non-Hispanic (51.9%)
Hispanic (31.7%)
Other race (15.6%)
Black (11.1%)
Two or more races (3.7%)
American Indian (2.2%)
Vietnamese (0.8%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (13.8%), Irish (9.6%), English (8.3%), Italian (3.5%), United States (3.4%), French (2.5%).

Elevation: 5277 feet

Land area: 153.4 square miles

Map of Denver, CO

Population by Education

Denver, Colorado is the largest city in the state and is home to over 700,000 people. The city is diverse, with a population that is made up of many different ethnicities. According to the 2010 Census, approximately 65.9% of the population is White, 31.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Black or African American, 4.6% Asian, and 0.8% Native American or Alaska Native. The city also has a large immigrant population from all over the world including Mexico, India, China and Vietnam. In addition to ethnic diversity, Denver also has a thriving LGBTQ community with an estimated 10-15 percent of residents identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

The city also has a strong economy that supports a wide range of industries including tech startups, finance and banking companies as well as manufacturing and energy companies. Denver’s unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing since 2012 and currently stands at 2.7%, which is lower than the national average of 3.7%. The city’s median household income was $64k in 2018 which is higher than both the state average ($61k) and national average ($61k). In addition to its strong economy Denver offers a variety of attractions such as museums, galleries and cultural centers as well as outdoor activities like hiking trails in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park or skiing at world-class resorts like Vail and Aspen Snowmass Resort in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains region.

For population 25 years and over in Denver

High school or higher: 78.9%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 12.4%
Unemployed: 5.7%
Mean travel time to work: 24.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Denver city

Never married: 35.9%
Now married: 43.2%
Separated: 2.3%
Widowed: 5.8%
Divorced: 12.7%

17.4% Foreign born (12.3% Latin America, 2.3% Asia, 1.8% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: +87,676 (+18.8%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers in Denver:

CENTURA HEALTH-ST ANTHONY CENTRAL HOSP (4231 W 16TH AVE)
CENTURA HLTH-PORTER ADVENTIST HOSPITAL (2525 S DOWNING ST)
CHILDRENS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION THE (1056 E 19TH AVE)
COLORADO MENTAL HLTH CTR AT FT LOGAN (3520 W OXFORD AVE)
DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER (777 BANNOCK ST)
EXEMPLA INC SAINT JOSEPH HOSP (1835 FRANKLIN ST)
KINDRED HOSPITAL DENVER (1920 HIGH ST)
LIFECARE HOSPITALS OF DENVER (1601 LOWELL BLVD)
NATL JEWISH MEDICAL & RESEARCH CTR (1400 JACKSON ST)
PRESBYTERIAN/ST LUKE’S MEDICAL CTR (1719 E 19TH AVE)
ROSE MEDICAL CTR (4567 E 9TH AVE)
SELECT SPECIALTY HOSPITAL (1719 E 19TH AVE 5TH FLOOR)
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (4200 E 9TH AVE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Denver:

BUCKLEY AFB (about 16 miles; AURORA, CO; Abbreviation: BKF)
DENVER INTL (about 23 miles; DENVER, CO; Abbreviation: DEN)
FORT COLLINS-LOVELAND MUNI (about 50 miles; FORT COLLINS/LOVELAND, CO; Abbreviation: FNL)

Other public-use airports nearest to Denver:

CENTENNIAL (about 15 miles; DENVER, CO; Abbreviation: APA)
JEFFCO (about 16 miles; DENVER, CO; Abbreviation: BJC)
ERIE MUNICIPAL (about 20 miles; ERIE, CO; Abbreviation: 48V)

Amtrak stations:

DENVER (1701 WYNKOOP ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, full-service food facilities and snack bar, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, public transit connection.
DENVER INTERNATIONAL AP’T (DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) – Bus Station. Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, full-service food facilities, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, car rental agency, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Denver:

METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER (Full-time enrollment: 12,938; Location: PO BOX 173362; Public; Website: mscd.edu)
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER (Full-time enrollment: 8,839; Location: PO BOX 173364 CAMPUS BOX 151; Public; Website: www.cudenver.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER (Full-time enrollment: 7,592; Location: UNIVERSITY Park; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.du.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
REGIS UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 5,898; Location: 3333 REGIS BLVD; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.regis.edu/; Offers Master’s degree)
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF DENVER (Full-time enrollment: 3,352; Location: PO BOX 173363; Public; Website: ccd.rightchoice.org/)
EMILY GRIFFITH OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL (Full-time enrollment: 3,083; Location: 1250 WELTON ST; Public; Website: www.egos-school.com)
ART INSTITUTE OF COLORADO (Full-time enrollment: 1,882; Location: 1200 Lincoln Street; Private, for-profit; Website: www.aic.artinstitutes.edu)
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (Full-time enrollment: 1,821; Location: 4200 E 9TH AVE; Public; Website: www.uchsc.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
HEALTH ONE-SCHOOL OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 1,570; Location: 1719 E 19TH AVE; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.health1.org)
WESTWOOD COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 737; Location: 7350 N BROADWAY; Private, for-profit)
BEL-REA INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 608; Location: 1681 S DAYTON ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.bel-rea.com)
DENVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 488; Location: 925 S NIAGARA ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.dtc.edu)
COLLEGE AMERICA-DENVER (Full-time enrollment: 399; Location: 1385 S COLORADO BLVD., 5TH FLOOR; Private, for-profit; Website: www.collegeamerica.com)
DENVER AUTOMOTIVE AND DIESEL COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 390; Location: 460 S LIPAN ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.DenverAutoDiesel.com)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (Full-time enrollment: 355; Location: 6875 E EVANS AVE; Private, for-profit; Website: www.rmcad.edu)
CONCORDE CAREER INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 321; Location: 770 GRANT ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.concordecareercolleges.com)
WESTWOOD COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 315; Location: 3150 S SHERIDAN; Private, for-profit; Website: www.westwood.edu)
PARKS COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 298; Location: 9065 GRANT ST; Private, for-profit)
PIMA MEDICAL INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 288; Location: 1701 W 72ND AVE STE 130; Private, for-profit; Website: www.pimamedical.com)
HERITAGE COLLEGE OF HEALTH CAREERS (Full-time enrollment: 271; Location: 12 LAKESIDE LN; Private, for-profit)

Biggest public high schools in Denver:

EAST HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,854; Location: 1545 DETROIT STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)
WEST HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,690; Location: 951 ELATI STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,621; Location: 655 SOUTH MONACO PKWY; Grades: 09 – 12)
JOHN F KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,564; Location: 2855 SOUTH LAMAR STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,474; Location: 2960 NORTH SPEER BOULEVARD; Grades: 09 – 12)
IVER C. RANUM HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,466; Location: 2401 WEST 80TH AVENUE; Grades: 09 – 12)
ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,440; Location: 2285 SOUTH FEDERAL BOULEVARD; Grades: 09 – 12)
MONTBELLO HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,395; Location: 5000 CROWN BOULEVARD; Grades: 09 – 12)
SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,380; Location: 1700 EAST LOUISIANA AVENUE; Grades: 09 – 12)
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,111; Location: 3950 SOUTH HOLLY STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Biggest private high schools in Denver:

MULLEN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 773; Location: 3601 S LOWELL BLVD; Grades: 9 – 12)
DENVER CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 342; Location: 2135 S PEARL ST; Grades: 9 – 12)
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 337; Location: 3201 WEST ARIZONA AVENUE; Grades: 9 – 12)
DENVER ACADEMY (Students: 331; Location: 1101 S. RACE ST.; Grades: 1 – 12)
BISHOP MACHEBEUF CATHOLIC H S (Students: 291; Location: 1958 ELM ST; Grades: 9 – 12)
THE DENVER WALDORF SCHOOL (Students: 290; Location: 735 EAST FLORIDA; Grades: PK – 12)
MILE HIGH ACADEMY (Students: 268; Location: 711 EAST YALE AVENUE; Grades: KG – 12)
BETH EDEN BAPTIST SCH (Students: 230; Location: 2600 WADSWORTH BOULEVARD; Grades: PK – 12)
WOODSIDE BAPTIST SCHOOL (Students: 135; Location: 8500 EAST ALAMEDA AVENUE; Grades: PK – 12)
ROCKY MTN HEBREW ACADEMY (Students: 131; Location: 300 S DAHLIA ST #210; Grades: 7 – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Denver:

MARTIN LUTHER KING MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,180; Location: 19535 EAST 46TH AVENUE; Grades: 06 – 08)
KEPNER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,117; Location: 911 SOUTH HAZEL COURT; Grades: 06 – 08)
HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,023; Location: 8600 EAST DARTMOUTH AVENUE; Grades: 06 – 08)
ACADEMY OF CHARTER SCHOOLS (Students: 993; Location: 601 EAST 64TH AVENUE; Grades: KG – 12)
NIVER CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 895; Location: 9450 PECOS STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)
KUNSMILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 883; Location: 2250 SOUTH QUITMAN STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)
RISHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 870; Location: 451 SOUTH TEJON STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)
NOEL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 861; Location: 5290 KITTRIDGE STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)
GREEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 814; Location: 4100 JERICHO; Grades: PK – 05)
HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 811; Location: 3005 SOUTH GOLDEN WAY; Grades: 06 – 08)

Biggest private primary/middle schools in Denver:

GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (Students: 634; Location: 30 BIRCH STREET; Grades: KG – 9)
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL (Students: 583; Location: 2165 SOUTH ZENOBIA ST; Grades: PK – 8)
ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEM SCHOOL (Students: 492; Location: 1164 S. JOSEPHINE; Grades: PK – 8)
MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD SCHOOL (Students: 373; Location: 3959 EAST ILIFF AVE; Grades: KG – 8)
GOOD SHEPHERD ELEM MIDDLE SCHO (Students: 326; Location: 940 FILLMORE STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
STANLEY BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL (Students: 288; Location: 1301 QUEBEC STREET; Grades: KG – 8)
VAN DELLEN CHRISTIAN ELEMENTAR (Students: 274; Location: 4200 E WARREN AVE; Grades: KG – 6)
THEODOR HERZL JEWISH DAY SCHOO (Students: 274; Location: 2450 S WABASH ST; Grades: KG – 6)
RICK’S CTR FOR GIFTED CHILDREN (Students: 270; Location: 2040 S. YORK STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
TEMPLE EMANUEL PRESCHOOL KINDE (Students: 269; Location: 51 GRAPE STREET; Grades: PK – KG)

Libraries

Library in Denver:

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $33,026,976; Location: 10 W 14TH AVENUE PARKWAY; 2,192,634 books; 48,237 audio materials; 112,351 video materials; 4,700 serial subscriptions)