Wheat Ridge, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wheat Ridge, Colorado had a total population of 32,070, the 31st largest city in Colorado, with a median household income of $90,564, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wheat Ridge Quick Facts
How Wheat Ridge 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 | 32,158 | 32,070 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $87,598 | $90,564 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $584,700 | $623,000 | +6.6% |
How Wheat Ridge 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wheat Ridge 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 |
| 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 Wheat Ridge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Englewood | 34,129 | $86,800 | $572,900 | 49.3% | 7.7% |
| Fountain | 29,300 | $86,242 | $398,000 | 34.8% | 10.3% |
| Pueblo West | 35,681 | $96,810 | $397,000 | 31.7% | 7.0% |
| Security-Widefield | 37,345 | $91,142 | $387,500 | 27.9% | 7.3% |
| Ken Caryl | 33,233 | $118,269 | $600,300 | 50.4% | 3.7% |
Population Overview
Wheat Ridge is a mid-sized community located in Colorado, within Jefferson County. The total population is 32,070. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wheat Ridge is 41.9 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wheat Ridge is $90,564. This is 5% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $623,000. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 54.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wheat Ridge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.4%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.
Education
47.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 95.2%. Notably, 16.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wheat Ridge, 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 Wheat Ridge, Colorado?
Wheat Ridge, Colorado has a population of 32,070 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wheat Ridge, CO?
The median household income in Wheat Ridge is $90,564, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wheat Ridge, CO?
The poverty rate in Wheat Ridge is 11.2%. This means approximately 3,535 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wheat Ridge, Colorado?
Wheat Ridge's population is 72.8% White, 3.0% Black, 19.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wheat Ridge, CO?
The median home value in Wheat Ridge is $623,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.9x.
How educated is Wheat Ridge, Colorado?
47.8% of adults (25+) in Wheat Ridge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.