Highlands Ranch, Colorado, known as "The Community Connected by Nature," is a picturesque and family-friendly suburb located near Denver. With its excellent schools, abundant parks, and strong community spirit, Highlands Ranch offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban tranquility and modern amenities makes living in Highlands Ranch an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Highlands Ranch enjoy a variety of recreational activities and community events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The Highlands Ranch Mansion and the Backcountry Wilderness Area are popular destinations that celebrate the city's natural beauty and rich history. The annual Highlands Ranch Music Arts Festival and the 4th of July Parade are events that showcase the vibrant community spirit of Highlands Ranch.
Highlands Ranch's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, technology, and education. The city's strategic location near Denver provides residents with easy access to job opportunities and cultural amenities in the greater metropolitan area. Major employers in the area include UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital and the Douglas County School District.
Highlands Ranch is known for its commitment to family life and community engagement, with numerous programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The city's focus on education, public safety, and recreational opportunities makes it a great place to raise a family.
Public transportation in Highlands Ranch is well-developed, with access to RTD (Regional Transportation District) buses and light rail, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Highlands Ranch's climate features mild winters and warm summers, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Highlands Ranch offers a blend of suburban tranquility, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Crime
The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
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.
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.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
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.
Health & Safety
A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.
Located in the state of Colorado, Highlands Ranch is a mid-sized city with a population of 110,471 inhabitants. With a population density of 4,552 people per square mile, Highlands Ranch is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of Highlands Ranch residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Highlands Ranch, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Highlands Ranch, 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Highlands Ranch, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, health & safety and more.
The livability score in Highlands Ranch is 69/100 and the city is ranked in the 72nd percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Highlands Ranch ranks well for education (A-) and housing (A+) Highlands Ranch does not rank well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Highlands Ranch, the unemployment rate stands at 2.7%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Highlands Ranch 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.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Highlands Ranch. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Highlands Ranch are affordable. Median real estate prices in Highlands Ranch come in at $903,505, which is 89.1% higher than the Colorado average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Highlands Ranch, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 5.9% lower than the Colorado average.
| Statistic | Highlands Ranch | Colorado | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.8% | 75.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.4% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.7% | 3.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.7% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 16.1% | 7.0% | 4.6% |
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