Fort Collins, CO, known as "The Choice City," is a vibrant community with a rich history and a high quality of life. Located in northern Colorado, Fort Collins is approximately 65 miles north of Denver and 45 miles south of Cheyenne, WY. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its excellent recreational opportunities, beautiful parks, and strong sense of community.
Fort Collins' climate features mild winters and warm, dry summers, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Horsetooth Reservoir and the expansive Poudre River Trail, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics. The nearby Rocky Mountain National Park provides additional outdoor adventures, including camping and wildlife viewing.
The cultural scene in Fort Collins is vibrant, with attractions like the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the historic Old Town district. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Colorado Brewers' Festival and the NewWestFest, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Fort Collins, with institutions like Colorado State University providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools serve a diverse student population, making Fort Collins an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Fort Collins combines the benefits of urban living with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and bike lanes, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its cultural richness, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Fort Collins offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Amenities
The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Schools
The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Ratings
Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.
Fort Collins is a medium-sized city located in the state of Colorado. The city has a population of 172,375 residents. In Fort Collins, there are 3,083 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 86% of Fort Collins residents are White, 3% Asian and 2% Black. The median age of all Fort Collins residents is 30, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Fort Collins is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 43%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Fort Collins. With an average one way commute time of only 21 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Fort Collins, Colorado. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Fort Collins and in the areas around Fort Collins is a much easier task.
With a livability score of 81/100, Fort Collins is ranked #1,150 in the United States and #9 in Colorado. This is a terrific score, as Fort Collins ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that Fort Collins ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Fort Collins ranks very well for education (B+), employment (B+) and housing (A).
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Fort Collins, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Fort Collins undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: New Belgium Brewing, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Fort Collins can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Fort Collins is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Fort Collins come in at $712,326, which is 49% higher than the Colorado average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fort Collins, the home price to income ratio is 6.9, which is 35.3% higher than the Colorado average.
| Statistic | Fort Collins | Colorado | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 69.7% | 75.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.7% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.0% | 3.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 4.9% | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.2% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.6% | 7.0% | 4.6% |
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