Census-designated place · Colorado
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Highlands Ranch, census-designated place, in Douglas County, Colorado. Highlands Ranch had 102,257 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±2,318). GEOID 0836410.
Residents, 2020-2024
102,257
±2,318 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 103,444
Median household income
$159,307
±$4,781 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$712,700
±$9,809 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$2,531
±$106 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
Where is Highlands Ranch and what county is it in?
Highlands Ranch is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Douglas County, Colorado. It covers 24.3 square miles of land, 4,263 residents per square mile in 2020.
Highlands Ranch is in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 10 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Highlands Ranch, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Highlands Ranch's population at 102,257 (±2,318). The 2020 Census counted 103,444 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Highlands Ranch is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Highlands Ranch | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 102,257 ±2,318 | 377,150 | −3,374 |
| Households | 38,550 ±806 | 139,960 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.65 ±0.04 | 2.69 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 39,551 ±809 | 144,432 | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Highlands Ranch?
The median resident of Highlands Ranch is 41.5 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 14.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.6%. 8.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Highlands Ranch | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 ±0.7 | 39.6 | +1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% ±0.8 pts | 23.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.7% ±0.6 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Male | 50.7% ±0.7 pts | 50.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.6% ±1.1 pts | 10.2% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.3% ±1.5 pts | 77.0% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 1.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.1% ±0.7 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±0.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.6% ±0.9 pts | 8.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.7% ±1.0 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6% ±0.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 8.1% ±0.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.8% ±1.0 pts | 3.9% | +1.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.9% ±0.3 pts | 97.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 67.8% ±1.7 pts | 62.0% | +3.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 26.5% ±1.5 pts | 22.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.3% ±1.4 pts | 85.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.7% ±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Highlands Ranch earn?
Half of Highlands Ranch's 38,550 households earn less than $159,307 a year (±$4,781), against $149,594 in Douglas County and $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 it was $154,395 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 2.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Highlands Ranch | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $159,307 ±$4,781 | $149,594 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $184,379 ±$4,602 | $183,544 | – |
| Per capita income | $71,247 ±$1,840 | $69,608 | +$4,242 |
| People below the poverty line | 2.9% ±0.4 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.3% ±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.7% ±0.4 pts | 98.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 98.1% ±0.4 pts | 97.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Highlands Ranch?
Owners occupy 78.1% of Highlands Ranch's occupied homes and renters 21.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $712,700 by its owner (±$9,809). The median renter pays $2,531 a month including utilities, and 39.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Highlands Ranch | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $712,700 ±$9,809 | $713,600 | +$137,351 |
| Median gross rent | $2,531 ±$106 | $2,193 | +$166 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.7% ±4.4 pts | 41.2% | +8.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,823 ±$42 | $2,893 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.1% ±1.7 pts | 77.4% | −2.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 21.9% ±1.7 pts | 22.6% | – |
| Housing units | 39,551 ±809 | 144,432 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8% ±2.0 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.9% ±1.2 pts | 73.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7% ±0.4 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 10.6% ±1.0 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.7% ±0.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Highlands Ranch work and get to work?
61.0% of Highlands Ranch's workers drive alone and 33.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Highlands Ranch | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.1% ±1.1 pts | 71.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% ±0.7 pts | 3.6% | +1.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 61.0% ±1.8 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.3% ±0.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 33.0% ±1.7 pts | 30.5% | +20.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.2 min ±0.7 | 27.1 min | −1.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Highlands Ranch?
22 census tracts lie mostly in Highlands Ranch, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $98,375 (Tract 141.10) to $217,382 (Tract 141.44).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 141.30Douglas County | 7,209 | $158,821 |
| Tract 141.33Douglas County | 6,112 | $188,000 |
| Tract 141.34Douglas County | 6,117 | $215,318 |
| Tract 141.32Douglas County | 5,911 | $189,432 |
| Tract 141.31Douglas County | 6,757 | $106,083 |
| Tract 141.24Douglas County | 5,355 | $153,316 |
| Tract 141.10Douglas County | 5,123 | $98,375 |
| Tract 141.08Douglas County | 5,051 | $167,560 |
| Tract 141.28Douglas County | 4,992 | $159,926 |
| Tract 141.44Douglas County | 5,359 | $217,382 |
| Tract 141.46Douglas County | 4,252 | $153,065 |
| Tract 141.07Douglas County | 4,020 | $155,600 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Highlands Ranch) · Census block assignment files
How does Highlands Ranch compare with other places in Colorado?
Highlands Ranch ranks 19th of 218 places in Colorado with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 13th | 220 |
| Residents per square mile | 19th | 221 |
| Median household income | 19th | 218 |
| Per capita income | 39th | 220 |
| Median home value | 51st | 217 |
| Median gross rent | 11th | 200 |
| Poverty rate | 148th | 151 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27th | 216 |
| Median age | 78th | 220 |
| Owner-occupied share | 78th | 218 |
| Work from home | 24th | 176 |
| Travel time to work | 118th | 221 |
Highlands Ranch's figures with every place in Colorado (CSV)
Every place in Colorado, sortable · Compare Highlands Ranch with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Highlands Ranch?
5 of the 57 figures for Highlands Ranch on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Highlands Ranch are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.