Golden, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Golden, Colorado had a total population of 20,417, the 39th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $98,582, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.5x the median household income.
Golden Quick Facts
How Golden Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,467 | 20,417 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $95,913 | $98,582 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $790,500 | $837,700 | +6.0% |
How Golden Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Golden Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 156,583 | $89,792 | 9.2% | $574,400 |
| Arvada | 122,634 | $117,348 | 5.8% | $632,600 |
| Westminster | 115,484 | $100,272 | 7.3% | $532,400 |
| Dakota Ridge | 33,753 | $120,822 | 4.4% | $604,600 |
| Ken Caryl | 33,233 | $118,269 | 3.7% | $600,300 |
| Wheat Ridge | 32,070 | $90,564 | 11.2% | $623,000 |
| Superior | 13,305 | $159,434 | 3.2% | $903,900 |
| Fairmount | 9,902 | $163,600 | 2.9% | $827,600 |
| Evergreen | 8,602 | $150,417 | 3.3% | $829,400 |
| Applewood | 8,350 | $130,545 | 4.4% | $785,900 |
Cities Similar to Golden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cimarron Hills | 19,817 | $80,808 | $368,000 | 26.9% | 10.6% |
| Durango | 19,411 | $78,602 | $668,400 | 60.4% | 13.0% |
| Montrose | 21,044 | $70,386 | $387,900 | 33.5% | 11.6% |
| Johnstown | 18,883 | $128,995 | $540,300 | 38.5% | 3.7% |
| Louisville | 20,786 | $147,319 | $883,900 | 69.9% | 4.5% |
Population Overview
Golden is a small city located in Colorado, within Jefferson County. The total population is 20,417. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Golden is 34.6 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Golden is $98,582. This is 3% higher than the state median of $95,470. It is also 22% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $837,700. Housing costs are 55% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Golden is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.9%) is well below the state average of 22.5%.
Education
59.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.9%. Notably, 30.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Golden, Colorado is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Colorado city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Golden, Colorado?
Golden, Colorado has a population of 20,417 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Golden, CO?
The median household income in Golden is $98,582, which is 22% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Golden, CO?
The poverty rate in Golden is 12.6%. This means approximately 2,284 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Golden, Colorado?
Golden's population is 82.3% White, 1.0% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Golden, CO?
The median home value in Golden is $837,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.5x.
How educated is Golden, Colorado?
59.1% of adults (25+) in Golden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.