Highlands Ranch, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highlands Ranch, Colorado had a total population of 102,257, the 13th largest community in Colorado, with a median household income of $159,307, which is 67% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 67% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Colorado.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in Colorado.
Highlands Ranch Quick Facts
How Highlands Ranch 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 | 101,437 | 102,257 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $155,847 | $159,307 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $672,600 | $712,700 | +6.0% |
How Highlands Ranch 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+)
Highlands Ranch Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Douglas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Rock | 79,123 | $145,197 | 3.8% | $652,900 |
| Parker | 61,783 | $133,369 | 4.4% | $646,300 |
| Lone Tree | 14,147 | $123,741 | 4.9% | $874,100 |
| Castle Pines | 13,388 | $191,229 | 6.9% | $895,500 |
| The Pinery | 11,871 | $194,446 | 1.0% | $791,100 |
| Roxborough Park | 9,085 | $173,083 | 3.0% | $678,800 |
| Stonegate | 8,906 | $159,086 | 3.2% | $641,600 |
| Meridian | 5,634 | $89,877 | 8.8% | $581,100 |
| Castle Pines Village | 4,436 | $250,000+ | 4.1% | $1,453,400 |
| Sterling Ranch | 4,213 | $206,719 | 2.0% | $802,000 |
Cities Similar to Highlands Ranch
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial | 108,201 | $131,928 | $658,100 | 62.6% | 3.3% |
| Castle Rock | 79,123 | $145,197 | $652,900 | 55.9% | 3.8% |
| Longmont | 99,406 | $90,671 | $572,800 | 47.0% | 8.6% |
| Arvada | 122,634 | $117,348 | $632,600 | 51.5% | 5.8% |
| Boulder | 106,433 | $87,493 | $1,039,500 | 76.8% | 21.4% |
Population Overview
Highlands Ranch is a major urban center located in Colorado, within Douglas County. The total population is 102,257. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highlands Ranch is 41.5 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highlands Ranch is $159,307. This is 67% higher than the state median of $95,470. It is also 97% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 69% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $712,700. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 78.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highlands Ranch is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.6%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.6%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.1% vs 3.2%).
Education
67.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 98.9%. Notably, 26.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highlands Ranch, 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 Highlands Ranch, Colorado?
Highlands Ranch, Colorado has a population of 102,257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highlands Ranch, CO?
The median household income in Highlands Ranch is $159,307, which is 97% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highlands Ranch, CO?
The poverty rate in Highlands Ranch is 2.9%. This means approximately 2,951 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highlands Ranch, Colorado?
Highlands Ranch's population is 78.3% White, 0.8% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highlands Ranch, CO?
The median home value in Highlands Ranch is $712,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Highlands Ranch, Colorado?
67.8% of adults (25+) in Highlands Ranch hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.