City profile · Colorado · Census ACS 2023

Wheat Ridge, CO

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Wheat Ridge - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

32,158
Residents
$87,598
Median income
$584,700
Median home
$2,089
Median rent (state)

Wheat Ridge - the verdict

Wheat Ridge ranks in the 69th percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

69th
percentile, household income
88th
percentile, home value
85th
percentile, median rent
4th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Wheat Ridge, CO

Colorado's Wheat Ridge is a small city, with 32,158 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Wheat Ridge households earn a median of $87,598 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.7%. Typical homes in Wheat Ridge are valued around $584,700, and the median resident age is 42.1 years. About 44.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 66.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 163 residential building permits were authorized in Wheat Ridge (Building Boom), up 226% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Wheat Ridge's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4947.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Wheat Ridge's yearly average temperature at 50.3°F with 17.1 inches of precipitation per year and 75.5 inches of snowfall.

Colorado carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Colorado scores 103.1 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,089 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Colorado run around $202, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 34.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

32,158 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Colorado

Median Household Income

$87,598 /yr

Poverty 5.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

103.1 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Colorado average

How does Wheat Ridge compare to other US cities?

Here's how Wheat Ridge stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 69% higher than other cities
Home value 88% pricier than other cities
Median rent 85% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Colorado and the picture shifts: Wheat Ridge ranks #105 of 116 Colorado cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Wheat Ridge's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Colorado, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

69thIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

69th percentile nationally for median household income · 4th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wheat Ridge's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wheat Ridge's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 29 Avg. percentile National median
Wheat Ridge's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Wheat Ridge's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$584,700 12th percentile more affordable than 12% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Wheat Ridge $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Wheat Ridge, CO Wheat Ridge, CO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wheat Ridge, CO-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Wheat Ridge, CO median $87,598/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Wheat Ridge, CO's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Wheat Ridge, CO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 44.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
32,158
Median Income
$87,598
Median Home Value
$584,700
Median Age
42.1
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor force participation
66.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
44.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4947.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
480.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4466.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
17.1"
Annual Snowfall
75.5"

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
31,800 residents32,000 residents32,200 residents32,400 residents32,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 32,380 residents 32,081 residents ▼ -0.9%
Wheat Ridge's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
163
housing units authorized
Single-Family
82
detached homes
Multifamily
81
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 50
2020 411
2021 439
2022 430
2023 104
2024 163

Permit volume increased 226% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
65.0%
Carpool
8.5%
Public Transit
2.6%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
19.3%
Other
2.7%

Based on 17,799 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Colorado - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$90
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$202
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Colorado state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Colorado state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Wheat Ridge sits in

Cost of Living Index
103.1
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,089/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
34.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Colorado

Erie
31,927 people
Ken Caryl
33,407 people
Englewood
33,774 people
Lafayette
30,471 people
Dakota Ridge
34,159 people
Fountain
29,327 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wheat Ridge's 32,158 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

O'Fallon, IL
32,139 people
Massillon, OH
32,177 people
Elk Grove Village, IL
32,132 people
Long Branch, NJ
32,184 people
Hutto, TX
32,188 people
Maryville, TN
32,196 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wheat Ridge's $87,598 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Northwest Harborcreek, PA
$87,601 median income
Lompico, CA
$87,604 median income
San Gabriel, CA
$87,592 median income
Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL
$87,606 median income
Troy, ID
$87,589 median income
Addison, IL
$87,587 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wheat Ridge, CO Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Wheat Ridge, CO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.1% 9.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 21.2% White 83.1% Black or African American 1.4% Asian 1.5% American Indian 1.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.1% Two or more races 9.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Wheat Ridge compares to nearby Colorado cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Wheat Ridge (this city) 32,158 $87,598
Erie 31,927 $163,644
Ken Caryl 33,407 $116,838
Englewood 33,774 $82,016
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wheat Ridge, CO?

What is the population of Wheat Ridge, CO? +

Wheat Ridge, CO counts 32,158 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wheat Ridge, CO? +

Median annual household income in Wheat Ridge runs $87,598, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wheat Ridge? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Wheat Ridge; the closest available measure is the Colorado state average, a cost of living index of 103.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Colorado vary by metro area.

Is Wheat Ridge, CO safe? +

Wheat Ridge has a total crime rate of 4947.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Wheat Ridge, CO? +

A typical home in Wheat Ridge is worth $584,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wheat Ridge? +

Wheat Ridge has an average annual temperature of 50.3°F, 17.1 inches of precipitation, and 75.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.