Lakewood, CO

Colorado · Metropolitan Area

Lakewood is a large city in Colorado with a population of 156,309. Residents earn $85,789 per year, which is 14% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
156,309 Population 3,595/sq mi density
$85,789 Median Income $51,218 per capita
$548,200 Home Value $565,592 Zillow
$1,746 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
480 Violent Crime/100K 4,617 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$85,789 median income, 3.1% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.1 / 5.0
$548,200 home value, $1,746/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
480 violent crimes/100K (26% above avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
45.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $85,789
14% higher than US avg
Home Value $548,200
94% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 480/100K
26% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 45.3%
34% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,746
50% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.0%
25% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.3%
57% lower than US avg

How Lakewood Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population156,309
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density3,595/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

A+
Median Income$85,789
Per Capita$51,218
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty5.3%
County GDP$46,223M
Commute27 min

Housing

B
Home Value$548,200
Rent$1,746
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$565,592

Crime

F
Violent480/100K
Property4,617/100K
Murder3.4/100K
Assault306/100K
Burglary606/100K

Health

Obesity24.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain25.1 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation5,673 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+45.3%
High School+93.6%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 58%
Commute27 min
EV Stations47
Libraries12

Is Lakewood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lakewood receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Lakewood offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lakewood is $85,789, 14% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lakewood is $548,200, making it a premium housing market at 94% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,746 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.4x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 480 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,617 per 100,000, 136% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 45.3% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Lakewood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 25.1 inches, including 41.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Lakewood has a population of 156,309 with a density of 3,595 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76%), with 3% Hispanic, 1.4% Black.

Population

156,309
Total Population
3,595
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
43.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Lakewood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.5%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.5%
1% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Lakewood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lakewood is $85,789, which is 14% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Lakewood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$85,789
14% above US avg
Per Capita Income$51,218
Avg Weekly Wage$1,512
IRS Avg AGI$107,402

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.3%
57% below US avg
Establishments (County)25,019
County GDP$46,223M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,324
Healthcare1,980
Retail1,801
Manufacturing459

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,881
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.7 min
Work from Home19.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Lakewood is $548,200, 94% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,746 (50% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $565,592.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$548,200
94% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$565,592
Median List Price$594,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$594,500
$/Sq Ft$270
Homes Sold119
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops34.0%
Inventory335

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,746
50% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,733

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,083
1 Bedroom$1,161
2 Bedrooms$1,429
3 Bedrooms$1,861
4 Bedrooms$2,178

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,881
39% above US avg
Effective Rate0.89%
In Lakewood, 24.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 14.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lakewood vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.0%
25% below US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure25.8%
Asthma11.5%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity14.6%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress11.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.5%
Checkup Rate71.2%
Premature Death6,799/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities1,980
Lakewood has a violent crime rate of 480 per 100,000 residents, 26% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,617 per 100,000 (136% above US avg). The murder rate is 3.4 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Lakewood vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent480.3/100K
26% above US avg
Murder3.4/100K
47% below US avg
Rape78.3/100K
Robbery92.4/100K
Assault306.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,617.0/100K
136% above US avg
Burglary605.8/100K
Theft3,570.7/100K
Vehicle Theft440.5/100K
Arson21.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)49

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lakewood has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.1 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.1 inches
34% below US avg
Snowfall41.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,673 ft (1,729 m)
Area43.5 sq mi (112.6 km²)
Population Density3,595/sq mi
Coordinates39.6989°N, 105.1176°W
County FIPS08059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 45.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 19.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.9%
D 58.3%

Winner: Democrat by 19.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+45.3%
34% above US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,595/sq mi
Total Area43.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations47
Alt Fuel Stations53
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities1,980
Restaurants1,324
Retail Stores1,801

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)49
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.7 min
Work from Home19.9%

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