City · Colorado
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Wheat Ridge, city, in Jefferson County, Colorado. Wheat Ridge had 32,081 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 32,398 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 32,070 (±87). GEOID 0884440.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
32,081
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,398 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,070 ±87
Median household income
$90,564
±$8,597 (90% margin)
Colorado: $95,470
Median home value
$623,000
±$16,592 (90% margin)
Colorado: $539,400
Median gross rent
$1,579
±$82 (90% margin)
Colorado: $1,761
Where is Wheat Ridge and what county is it in?
Wheat Ridge is a city in Jefferson County, Colorado. It covers 9.3 square miles of land, 3,467 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 32,081 people lived in Wheat Ridge on July 1, 2025, down 1.0% since 2020, while Colorado grew 4.1%. The 2020 Census counted 32,398 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 32,070 (±87).
| Measure | Wheat Ridge | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,070 ±87 | 579,377 | +739 |
| Households | 15,030 ±551 | 241,735 | +950 |
| Average household size | 2.08 ±0.07 | 2.36 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 15,695 ±561 | 253,574 | +1,003 |
Wheat Ridge's population since 2000
From 32,913 in 2000 to 32,081 in 2025: down 2.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wheat Ridge as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
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 Wheat Ridge?
The median resident of Wheat Ridge is 41.9 years old; 15.3% are under 18 and 20.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 72.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 19.4%. 6.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wheat Ridge | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 ±1.4 | 40.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 15.3% ±1.8 pts | 18.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.6% ±1.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Male | 48.0% ±2.0 pts | 50.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 19.4% ±2.4 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 72.8% ±3.0 pts | 75.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±2.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.6 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 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 | 3.0% ±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.4% ±1.8 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.9% ±2.6 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8% ±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4% ±1.7 pts | 11.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6% ±2.2 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.2% ±1.3 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 47.8% ±2.9 pts | 52.0% | +12.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.0% ±2.2 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.0% ±3.0 pts | 85.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0% ±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
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 Wheat Ridge earn?
Half of Wheat Ridge's 15,030 households earn less than $90,564 a year (±$8,597), against $110,656 in Jefferson County and $95,470 in Colorado. In 2015-2019 the median was $70,961 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $19,603 after inflation. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wheat Ridge | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $90,564 ±$8,597 | $110,656 | +$19,603 |
| Mean household income | $125,504 ±$11,266 | $142,995 | – |
| Per capita income | $60,248 ±$5,248 | $60,827 | +$15,997 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2% ±2.5 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.8% ±8.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.4% ±1.8 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±1.5 pts | 97.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.0% ±2.2 pts | 95.1% | – |
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 Wheat Ridge?
Owners occupy 54.4% of Wheat Ridge's occupied homes and renters 45.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $623,000 by its owner (±$16,592). The median renter pays $1,579 a month including utilities, and 41.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wheat Ridge | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $623,000 ±$16,592 | $637,600 | +$150,537 |
| Median gross rent | $1,579 ±$82 | $1,861 | +$220 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.9% ±5.0 pts | 42.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,367 ±$130 | $2,498 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.4% ±2.8 pts | 70.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 45.6% ±2.8 pts | 29.3% | – |
| Housing units | 15,695 ±561 | 253,574 | +1,003 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±1.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.7% ±2.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.4% ±3.2 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6% ±0.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.7% ±1.5 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.2% ±1.1 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.0% ±2.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
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 many new homes is Wheat Ridge building?
Builders took permits for 158 new housing units in Wheat Ridge in 2025 (68 in single-family houses), 4.9 per 1,000 residents against 5.6 across Colorado.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wheat Ridge work and get to work?
61.2% of Wheat Ridge's workers drive alone and 21.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Wheat Ridge | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.2% ±2.5 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% ±1.6 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 61.2% ±3.9 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5% ±2.9 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.0% ±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±0.8 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.9% ±2.8 pts | 25.4% | +14.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.4 min ±1.2 | 26.0 min | −1.8 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 Wheat Ridge?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Wheat Ridge, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $72,658 (Tract 104.03) to $113,355 (Tract 105.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 104.03Jefferson County | 5,525 | $72,658 |
| Tract 105.02Jefferson County | 5,310 | $113,355 |
| Tract 107.02Jefferson County | 5,386 | $78,369 |
| Tract 105.03Jefferson County | 4,728 | $106,818 |
| Tract 107.01Jefferson County | 4,652 | $73,011 |
| Tract 106.03Jefferson County | 3,693 | $108,409 |
| Tract 106.04Jefferson County | 2,260 | $111,458 |
| Tract 104.02Jefferson County | 5,611 | $62,414 |
| Tract 105.04Jefferson County | 3,092 | $152,361 |
| Tract 103.08Jefferson County | 7,081 | $122,873 |
| Tract 98.52Jefferson County | 4,893 | $161,000 |
| Tract 104.06Jefferson County | 2,884 | $67,488 |
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 Wheat Ridge) · Census block assignment files
How does Wheat Ridge compare with other places in Colorado?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wheat Ridge is the 1,287th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 26th-most populous of 272 in Colorado.
Wheat Ridge ranks 105th of 218 places in Colorado with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 26th | 272 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 100th | 150 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st | 221 |
| Median household income | 105th | 218 |
| Per capita income | 61st | 220 |
| Median home value | 74th | 217 |
| Median gross rent | 113th | 200 |
| Poverty rate | 68th | 151 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 87th | 216 |
| Median age | 74th | 220 |
| Owner-occupied share | 197th | 218 |
| Work from home | 76th | 176 |
| Travel time to work | 126th | 221 |
Wheat Ridge's figures with every place in Colorado (CSV)
Every place in Colorado, sortable · Compare Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge?
8 of the 57 figures for Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge 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' public schools in Wheat Ridge.