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Lakewood, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026

5th Largest5th most populous city in Colorado

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakewood, Colorado had a total population of 156,583, the 5th largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $89,792, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Lakewood Quick Facts

Population 156,583
Median Household Income $89,792
Median Home Value $574,400
Poverty Rate 9.2%
Unemployment Rate 4.5%
Median Age 38.2 years
Homeownership Rate 58.1%
Affordability Ratio 6.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 45.3%
High School Graduation Rate 94.0%
Diversity Index 48/100
Population 156,583 5th of 472
Median Income $89,792 average
Poverty Rate 9.2% 26% lower than national
Median Home Value $574,400 above average

How Lakewood Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population156,309156,583+0.2%
Median household income$85,789$89,792+4.7%
Median home value$548,200$574,400+4.8%

How Lakewood Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 10.4%
$25K-$50K 14.4%
$50K-$100K 30.8%
$100K+ 44.4%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.6%
$10K-$15K
2.3%
$15K-$20K
1.7%
$20K-$25K
2.8%
$25K-$30K
2.7%
$30K-$35K
2.8%
$35K-$40K
2.8%
$40K-$45K
3.5%
$45K-$50K
2.7%
$50K-$60K
6.1%
$60K-$75K
10.0%
$75K-$100K
14.6%
$100K-$125K
11.3%
$125K-$150K
7.8%
$150K-$200K
11.0%
$200K+
14.2%

Employment

4.5% Unemployment Rate State: 4.6%|National: 5.2%
69.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 58.1%
Renter 41.9%
Affordability Index Expensive
6.4x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,806/mo 24.1% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

48out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 52 | National average: 61

Education

Lakewood Rankings in Colorado

#5 Population of 472
#167 Median Income of 399
#175 Education of 472
#137 Home Value of 412

Other Cities in Jefferson County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
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
Golden 20,417 $98,582 12.6% $837,700
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 Lakewood

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Fort Collins170,229$85,070$577,90060.7%15.8%
Thornton144,187$103,088$517,50032.8%7.0%
Westminster115,484$100,272$532,40044.6%7.3%
Arvada122,634$117,348$632,60051.5%5.8%
Boulder106,433$87,493$1,039,50076.8%21.4%

Population Overview

Lakewood is a major urban center located in Colorado, within Jefferson County. The total population is 156,583. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lakewood is 38.2 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lakewood is $89,792. This is 6% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $574,400. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 66.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakewood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.6%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.

Education

45.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 94.0%. Notably, 16.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Lakewood, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Lakewood, Colorado?

Lakewood, Colorado has a population of 156,583 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Lakewood, CO?

The median household income in Lakewood is $89,792, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Lakewood, CO?

The poverty rate in Lakewood is 9.2%. This means approximately 14,125 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Lakewood, Colorado?

Lakewood's population is 68.2% White, 1.3% Black, 22.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Lakewood, CO?

The median home value in Lakewood is $574,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.

How educated is Lakewood, Colorado?

45.3% of adults (25+) in Lakewood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.