Always dreamed of living in a peaceful suburb in northern Colorado? You should consider moving to Arvada. Arvada is a home-rule municipality located just north of Denver that offers gorgeous mountain views, a family-friendly environment, and a bustling downtown. The town of Arvada was originally established in the 1870s during the gold rush, although it wasn't formally incorporated until 1904.
Arvada gets its name from a man named Hiram Arvada Haskin, the brother-in-law of Mary Ann Wadsworth, the wife of a leading local citizen who was put in charge of naming the town. Today, Arvada is an excellent place for families, young professionals, and retirees with a stable economy and a high quality of life. Here's what you need to know about living in Arvada, CO.
Where Is Arvada CO?
Arvada, Colorado, is in Jefferson and Adams counties in the northwest corner of the Denver metro area within the Front Range Urban Corridor. Nearby cities and communities include Wheat Ridge, Westminster, Lakeside, and Broomfield. It's also located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, near the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
It's 12 miles or a 21-minute drive from Arvada, CO, to Denver, CO, and 20 miles or a 30-minute drive to Boulder, CO.
Arvada Information
- Arvada County: Jefferson and Adams counties
- Arvada Area: 39.570 square miles
- Arvada Zip Code: 80001-80007 and 80403
- Arvada Area Code: 303, 720, 983
- Arvada Elevation: 5,344 ft
- Arvada Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7)
- Closest airport to Arvada: The Denver International Airport (DEN) is 28.5 miles away
Arvada Population & Demographics
The Arvada CO, population is 124,402, according to the 2020 census. That makes it the 7th largest city in Colorado. It's also part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakeland metro area, which includes over 2.5 million people, making it the largest MSA in the state. Arvada is a rapidly growing area as residents are drawn by its scenic beauty and high quality of life, and the population has grown by 15.5% since 2010.
It’s an affluent, well-educated community that attracts families and professionals. The median household income is $110,100, which is 25% higher than the statewide average. The median age is 40.5, and most residents are in their 30's and 40's.
The racial and ethnic breakdown is 86.1% white (78.1% non-Hispanic), 15% Hispanic or Latino, 2.3% Asian, 1% Black or African American and 7.1% two or more races.
Other Arvada CO Demographics
- The Arvada CO population is exactly 50% male and 50% female.
- It's a well-educated community, and 95.6% of residents have a high school diploma, while 53.1% have a bachelor's degree or higher.
- The foreign-born population is 6%
- Married couples make up 65% of the households.
Many famous residents have lived in Arvada, including pro golfer and US Olympic gold medalist Babe Didrickson Zaharias and Joe King, and Isaac Slade from the rock band The Fray.
Transportation
Several major highways service Arvada, including SH 72, SH 93, SH 95, and I-76, which starts in the city at the Intersection of I-70 and State Highway 121. Other major highways close by and accessible to Arvada residents include I-25, I-270, US Highway 36, and US Highway 287.
RTD Denver operates more than 100 bus routes and ten rail lines all across the metro area. The G-Line is an 11.2-mile electric commuter rail connecting the adjacent community of Wheat Ridge with Denver's Union Station. From there, you can connect to other trains that run to Lakewood, Boulder, Aurora, Littleton, Northglenn, or anywhere else you need to go.
Amtrak's California Zephyr line also passes through Arvada every morning. Residents living in Arvada, CO can also catch a flight at the Denver International Airport (DIA) or the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA).
Cost of Living in Arvada
You may be curious about how the cost of living in Arvada, CO compares to the rest of the country. A good way to assess the affordability of an area is to examine the cost of living index, which compares the affordability of an area to the rest of the United States based on a scale out of 100. The COLI for the Denver metro area is 113.5, which means it's 13.5% higher than the rest of the United States.
The Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute shows that the average family with two adults and two children must make about $102,935 to live comfortably in Jefferson County.
Typical Arvada Living Expenses
- Loaf of bread: $3.66
- A gallon of milk: $2.29
- Carton of eggs: $2.12
- Bunch of bananas: $3.17
- Hamburger: $4.84
- Average Arvada monthly utility bill: $389
Source: Payscale
Taxes are another major consideration if you're thinking about moving to Arvada. Here are the taxes you'll need to pay.
- Sales tax: The combined sales tax rate in Arvada is 7.96%, which includes a 2.9% Colorado tax, 0.5% Jefferson County tax, 3.46% Arvada tax, and 1.1% special tax.
- Income tax: Colorado has a flat income tax rate of 4.40%.
- Property tax: Property taxes in Colorado are determined by taking the home value determined by the County Assessor, multiplying it by the assessment percentage set by the Colorado Legislature, and then multiplying that amount by the mil levy set by the local taxing agencies. Arvada has a mill levy of 4.31, which is among the lowest in the area and often provides a welcome financial break for residents when compared to typical Denver County property taxes.
Arvada CO real estate is reasonably priced for the city's high quality of life. Home shoppers will find everything from modest ranch homes to multimillion estates. You'll also find a range of master-planned communities, condominiums, townhome developments, and more.
Arvada Real Estate | Average Rent & Home Prices
Redfin states that the median listing price of homes for sale in Arvada, CO is $595,000, which is right on par with the amount in the rest of the state. The median price per square foot of Arvada, CO real estate is $271. Home prices have remained relatively consistent over the past year and have come down by 0.82%.
Arvada also has plenty to offer renters. About 25% of homes in Arvada are rented out, while 75% are owner occupied. RentCafe indicates that the average rent for Arvada CO apartments is $1,880 per month. Rentals in Arvada, CO, start around $950 for a 1-bedroom and go up to $4,500 for a 3-bedroom. The average age of a rental building is 36 years old, although 29% of the housing stock was built after 2000. You won't find any high-rise buildings; 94% are garden-style apartment communities, while 6% are mid-size buildings.
Arvada Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Arvada
Arvada has plenty of amazing neighborhoods offering low crime, friendly neighbors, and a high quality of life. Here are a few of the best places to live in Arvada.
The Village of Five Parks is an award-winning community located between Alkire and Indiana streets, offering walkable roads, plenty of green space, and lifestyle amenities like a swimming pool and community center.
Olde Town | A Historic Neighborhood in the Heart of Downtown
Olde Town Arvada is the city's oldest and most iconic neighborhood, offering a mix of condos and single-family homes as well as culture, modern amenities, and a unique charm.
Lake Arbor | A Beautiful Community in a Central Location
Located on the east side of Arvada, Lake Arbor is a beautiful community that is home to over 1,000 residents and offers easy access to shopping, restaurants, local businesses, and the Lake Arbor golf course.
Arvada CO Weather
Arvada has a semi-arid climate according to the Koppen classification system. Arvada CO weather usually ranges in temperature from 24°F to 88°F, although it can get down to 7°F in the winter and up to 96°F in the summer. The best time to visit Arvada is typically mid-June to early September. Prepare for rain and snow if you're thinking of moving to Arvada. The city averages about 17 inches of rain and 61 inches of snowfall yearly.
Arvada Restaurants
Living in Arvada, CO also offers plenty of options when it comes to dining. There are dozens of great restaurants in Arvada offering everything from classic pub fare to Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Arvada, CO.
The Stone Cellar Bistro is a family-owned restaurant in Arvada, CO, offering French-inspired cuisine made with fresh, organic ingredients, including innovative menu items like Kielbasa Corn Dogs and foie gras parfait.
7605 Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO 80002 (720) 630-7908
Yak and Yeti is an Indian and Nepalese restaurant serving all-you-can-eat buffet-style dishes and microbrews in a historic home in Olde Town Arvada.
7803 Ralston Rd, Arvada, CO 80002 (303) 431-9000
The Bluegrass Lounge is another local hotspot downtown, serving coffee by day and whiskey by night with sandwiches, salads, pizza, and other bites in a chic setting.
7415 Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO 80002 (720) 476-3950
Things to Do in Arvada
In addition to great restaurants, you'll also find plenty of fun things to do in Arvada, CO. From museums to shopping to parks and nature preserves, there is never a dull moment in Arvada. Here are some of the top attractions.
Top Arvada Attractions
The APEX Center is one of the best things to do in Arvada with kids and features all kinds of fun amenities, including a swimming pool, rock climbing wall, two NFL-sized hockey rinks, three gymnasiums, and an indoor playground.
13150 W 72nd Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 (303) 424-2739
Olde Town Arvada
If you're looking for fun things to do in Arvada, Olde Town is full of quaint shops and boutiques, craft breweries, restaurants, museums, and other cultural attractions.
Arvada, CO 80002
Arvada SkatePark
Arvada SkatePark is a great attraction for kids and features 40,000 square feet of bowls, ledges, and stairs, making it the third-largest park in the country.
12920 W 72nd Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 (720) 898-7400
Silver Vines Winery is a local family-owned business in Olde Town that sells homemade wines and cheeses in a refined setting with frequent live music, tastings, and other events.
7509 Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO 80002 (303) 456-5212
Arvada Museums, Entertainment & Arts
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is the premier live entertainment venue in the city and hosts theater productions, live music, workshops, gallery exhibitions, lectures, and more.
6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003 (720) 898-7200
Archery Games Denver is a high-octane experience where participants are invited to a round of archery dodgeball, and teams go head to head with foam-tipped arrows in a safe arena. It's one of the best things t do in Arvada for birthday parties, corporate events, or bachelor parties.
5405 W 56th Ave Unit D, Arvada, CO 80002 (303) 305-4531
The Cussler Museum is an institution dedicated to the preservation of vintage automobiles and features an extensive collection of classic cars made between 1906 and 1965.
14959 W 69th Ave, Arvada, CO 80007 (303) 420-2795
Arvada Parks and Outdoors
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is a 75-acre preserve that features hundreds of species of flora and fauna that make a great spot for hiking trips, camping, fishing, and more.
9210 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 (303) 289-0867
The Majestic View Nature Center is an 80-acre preserve that is home to Oberon Lake, a wildlife resting area, and a bird sanctuary.
7030 Garrison St, Arvada, CO 80004 (720) 898-7405
Van Bibber Open Space Park is a 164-acre park with 5.3 miles of trails for hiking and biking, plus an observation deck for bird-watching.
5575 Ward Rd, Arvada, CO 80002 (720) 898-7000
Shopping in Arvada
Arvada Centerplace Shopping Center
Located off Wadsworth Blvd near the intersection with I-70, Arvada Centerplace is a popular open-air shopping center with retail chains, local businesses, and restaurants.
5198 Wadsworth Blvd Arvada CO 80002
Westwood Shopping Center
Situated outside of town on 64th Ave near state highway 72, Westwood Shopping Center is another popular outdoor mall featuring supermarkets, banks, ice cream shops, gas stations, and other local businesses.
15400 W 64th Ave, Arvada, CO 80007 (720) 898-0704
Map of Arvada Things to Do
Explore the Arvada, CO zip code with this map.
Arvada Sports
Although there are no professional sports teams in Arvada, there are several in Denver. Pro sports teams within the Denver area include:
The city is also home to the Arvada West Wildcats high school team, which offers athletic programs in everything from bowling to girls' flag football.
Arvada Crime Rate
Overall, Arvada is very safe, although it has a slight property crime issue. Here is a breakdown of the crime in Arvada:
- Total crime: 3,393, 4.1% higher than the state and 44.6% higher than the country
- Violent crime: 228, 46.1% lower than the state and 41.2% lower than the country
- Murder rate: 5, 2% lower than the state and 23.6% lower than the country
- Property crime rate: 3,164, 11.7% higher than the state and 61.6% higher than the country
So Arvada has very little violent crime, although it does experience a relatively high amount of property crimes, which includes things like theft, robbery, vandalism, etc. So, lock your doors if you plan on moving to Arvada.
Here is how the crime rate in Arvada compares to other nearby cities:
- 18% lower than Boulder
- 47% lower than Denver
- 49% lower than Lakewood
- 23% lower than Aurora
The city is patrolled by the Arvada Police Department, with the help of 242 employees, including 185 officers and 57 civilians.
Jobs in Arvada
Moving to Arvada also offers plenty of job opportunities in top industries like health care, education, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Most Arvada CO jobs are in management, office and administrative support, sales or business, and financial occupations.
The Arvada Economic Development Association is responsible for providing resources and funding to businesses in the city. In 2022 alone, it oversaw the deployment of over $117.8 million in new investment. It's primarily a commuter town for those who work in other parts of the Denver metro area.
Some of the top employers in Jefferson County include:
According to Payscale, the average salary paid by jobs in Arvada, CO, is $76,000 per year. Employment hunters can find a variety of high-paying Arvada jobs ranging from warehouse associate to customer service rep. The local government is another major creator of Arvada CO jobs.
Arvada Schools
The Jefferson County School District R1 serves students living in Arvada, CO. The district enrolls around 76,904 students and has an average student-teacher ratio of 17:1. There are a total of 51 preschools, 36 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, and 12 high schools in Arvada CO. Some of the top elementary schools in Arvada include Hackberry Hill, Wander, and Meiklejohn Elementary.
Ralston Valley Senior High School and Pomona High School tend to be considered the best Arvada high schools. Ralston, in particular, ranks within the top 25 high schools in the state and within the top 1,000 in the country, according to US News and World Report.
There are also several top-rated private schools in Arvada, including Colorado Christian Montessori School and Faith Christian Academy. Anyone living in Arvada, CO can also get a library card from the Arvada Branch of the Jefferson County public library system.
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