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What to know before moving to Lakewood
Moti Perez

What Living in Lakewood CO is Like | 🤷 Is Moving to Lakewood a Good Idea?

Last Updated On: 12th September 2024, 02:34 pm

Are you looking for an exciting city with breathtaking views and opportunities for outdoor recreation? Then you'll love living in Lakewood, CO.

Lakewood, CO, is a thriving suburb of Denver, offering a blend of urban and natural attractions. Residents enjoy stunning mountain views, numerous parks, and a variety of outdoor activities. Lakewood boasts excellent schools, diverse dining options, and a strong sense of community. With convenient access to downtown Denver, Lakewood provides the perfect balance of city life and suburban tranquility.

The development of the land now known as Lakewood began in 1889 when Charles Welch and W.A.H. Loveland settled a 13-block area in eastern Jefferson County. However, it lacked a formal municipal government until 1969, when it was incorporated under the name Jefferson City. The name was quickly changed to Lakewood to avoid confusion with existing cities of the same name in Colorado and Missouri.

Today, Lakewood is a good place to live for growing families, young professionals, and retirees who want an affordable area with access to nature. For those considering a relocation to this pleasant community, here is everything you should know before moving to Lakewood.

Where Is Lakewood?

Lakewood is in Jefferson County, Colorado. It's the largest municipality in the county and a principal city in the Denver-Aurora-Lakeland metro area, as well as the Front Range Urban Corridor. It's situated in the Piedmont Region just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Green Mountain is located in the western part of the city. It's also in the watershed of the South Platte River, and several tributaries flow through Lakewood. The city is situated at the intersection of US Route 6 and Colorado State Highway 121, offering access to other parts of the state. Colfax Ave also leads directly into Denver; the light rail in Lakewood CO is also available through RTD Denver.

Other adjacent communities border it on all sides, including Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Denver, Dakota Ridge, Morrison and West Pleasant View, East Pleasant View, and Applewood.

It's 8 miles or a 24-minute drive from Lakewood, CO, to Denver, CO.

Lakewood Population and Demographics

The Lakewood population is 155,973, according to the 2020 census. Many new residents are seeing the benefits of living in Lakewood and the population went up by 9% between 2010 and 2020. It has a spacious suburban atmosphere and the Lakewood CO population density of 3,592 residents per square mile.

Lakewood is a young, family-friendly community with a relatively diverse population. In Lakewood, 35% of residents are 20 to 40, and 16% are under 18. The racial and ethnic breakdown is 78.6% white (68.2% non-Hispanic), 22.4% Hispanic or Latino, 4.1% Asian, 1.6% Black or African American and 10.7% two or more races.

Several famous residents have lived in Lakewood, including pro wrestler Steve Williams and engineer and storm chaser Tim Samaras.

Other Lakewood demographics

  • The median household income is $85,988, which is 3.6% lower than the rest of Colorado
  • The Lakewood Colorado population is 51% male and 49% female
  • The median age is 37.8 years old
  • 94% of Lakewood residents have a high school diploma, and 45.2% have a bachelor's degree or higher
  • The foreign-born population is 6.8%

Lakewood Colorado is safe compared to other cities of its size; however, it has a high crime rate compared to the national average. The total Lakewood crime rate is 5,605 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 72.1% higher than the rest of the state and 138.9% higher than the rest of the country.

The violent crime rate in Lakewood, CO is also 33.5% higher than the rest of the state and 45.7% higher than the country. Although the murder rate is 2% lower than the rest of Colorado and 23.6% lower than the rest of the US.

The property crime rate is 77.9% higher than the rest of the state and 157% higher than the rest of the country. So, you'll want to take the proper precautions when moving to Lakewood.

However, the crime rate is consistent with other urban parts of the Denver metro area.

The Lakewood Police Department handles crime in the community with the assistance of 1552 sworn officers and 266 civilian employees.

Cost of Living in Lakewood

Living in Lakewood, CO is relatively affordable for everyone in the city. A great way to assess a community's affordability is to reference the cost of living index. It measures the typical cost of consumer goods to the national average, which is represented by 100.

The cost of living index for the Denver metro area is 110, which indicates the Lakewood cost of living is about 10% more expensive than the typical US city. The Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator reveals that the typical family of four with two adults and two children would need an income of $127,095 to afford the cost of living in Lakewood, CO.

Typical Lakewood living expenses

  • 12-ounce bottle of water: $2.26
  • Regular cappuccino: $5.57
  • 1 gallon of milk: $3.98
  • 1 dozen regular eggs: $4.29
  • 1 pound of chicken filets: $5.82
  • 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.33
  • Average Lakewood monthly utility bill: $190.73

Source: Numbeo

Lakewood real estate is reasonably priced, and you'll find plenty of affordable housing options. Redfin reveals that the median listing price of homes for sale in Lakewood CO is $600,000 per year. The median price per square foot of Lakewood CO real estate is $285.

However, renters moving to Lakewood will also find plenty of options. About 60% of homes are owner-occupied, while 40% are rented out. Rentcafe reveals that the average rent in Lakewood, CO is $1878 per month.

Most rentals in Lakewood are garden-style apartments with about three stories, although some are mid-sized buildings with less than 50 units. Rent prices start around $1,060 for a one-bedroom and go up to $9,000 for three or more bedrooms.

Lakewood Neighborhoods | Where To Live in Lakewood, CO

Lakewood is full of fantastic communities offering spacious homes and friendly neighbors. You'll find fantastic benefits to living in Lakewood, CO, no matter where you settle down; however, certain areas naturally offer more advantages than others. So, to help make your decision easier, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Lakewood, CO.

Westgate | A Family-Friendly Lakewood Neighborhood in a Central Location

Westgate is a clean, family-friendly neighborhood in southwest Lakewood. It offers top-notch schools, gorgeous parks, and a variety of shopping options nearby.

Green Mountain | A Picturesque Neighborhood Immersed in Nature

Named after the nearby mountain, the Green Mountain neighborhood is the ideal community for nature lovers. It offers an extensive range of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails close by and jaw-dropping views of the Front Range.

Kendrick Lake | A Waterfront Neighborhood with Prime Real Estate

Kendrick Lake is another breathtaking Lakewood neighborhood full of beautiful gardens, reservoirs, walking trails, and modestly-priced waterfront properties.

Lakewood Weather & Climate

According to the Koppen classification system, Lakewood has a cold, semi-arid climate, which indicates cold, snowy winters and warm summers. It has a great climate for winter sports and summer activities.

The temperature typically fluctuates between 23°F to 87°F, although in the winter it can get as cold as 7°F and the summers can get as hot as 95°F. The best time to visit Lakewood is usually from June to September.

If you're planning on moving to Lakewood, you'll want to prepare for precipitation. The city averages about 18 inches of snow and 65 inches of rain every year. So make sure to pack an umbrella and now boots!

Things to Do in Lakewood

You'll find an exciting range of fun things to do in Lakewood, from outdoor activities to live music and art museums. You can find shopping and restaurants at local commercial centers like Colorado Mills, Belmar, or Lakewood City Commons. Other than shopping, here are a few fun things to do in Lakewood, CO.

William F. Hayden Park

William F. Hayden Park is a 2400-acre public nature preserve and wildlife habitat featuring a multi-use trail system that leads to the top of Green Mountain, offering breathtaking views of the Denver metro area from an elevation of 6,800 ft.

1000 S Rooney Rd, Lakewood, CO 80228 (303) 697-6159

Carmody Recreation Center

Carmody Recreation Center is a local community hub featuring a large aquatics center with an indoor and outdoor pool and splash pad, fitness centers, an aerobics studio, and indoor pickleball courts.

2200 S Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80227 (720) 963-5360

 

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Shiki Dreams by Prismajic

Shiki Dreams is an award-winning, immersive art experience that combines traditional art with cutting-edge technology. It takes visitors on a journey through a magical forest.

14500 W Colfax Ave Suite 359B, Lakewood, CO 80401

Additional Lakewood Attractions

For those in search of more fun things to do and Lakewood cultural center events, the local Recreation Department has a calendar of special events on its website.

Lakewood Restaurants

You'll also find a wide range of delicious restaurants in Lakewood, serving everything from Italian cuisine to barbecue. Here are some of the best places to eat in Lakewood, CO.

Abrusci's Fire & Vine

Fire and Vine is an upscale Italian restaurant in Lakewood, CO, serving woodfired pizza, high-end wines and craft beers, and mouth-watering dishes like Limoncello chicken and rigatoni and sausage.

2200 Youngfield St, Lakewood, CO 80215 (303) 232-2424

GQue BBQ - Lakewood

If you're in the mood for barbecue, GQue is one of the best restaurants in Lakewood, CO. It serves smoked meats made with family recipes and offers catering options.

7085 W Alaska Dr, Lakewood, CO 80226 (720) 524-3660

The Ranch at West 40

The Ranch at West 40 is a locally owned bar and brunch spot that serves elevated American food in a comfortable yet refined setting.

12101 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215 (303) 233-0957

Jobs in Lakewood

Moving to Lakewood offers access to a healthy job market. There are more than 70,000 jobs in Lakewood CO in sectors such as government, education, health care, retail, medical device manufacturing, financial services, IT, and advertising.

The Denver Metro West region is also known as a hub for advanced manufacturing and aerospace. Companies such as Einstein Bro Bagels, First Bank, and the Integer Group are all based in Lakewood. In Lakewood, 68.4% of residents above the age of 16 are in the workforce, and the employment rate of Jefferson County is 97.3%.

The top employers in Lakewood are:

Payscale shows that Lakewood CO jobs pay an average salary of $73,000 per year. Employment hunters will find an interesting selection of Lakewood jobs in roles such as registered nurse or warehouse associate.

Lakewood Schools

From private academies to charter schools, living in Lakewood, CO offers many fantastic educational institutions. The Jefferson County School District R-1 is the primary Lakewood school district, which serves close to 81,000 students across 166 public schools. Dennison Elementary School is generally considered one of the best elementary schools in Lakewood, CO and also ranks second in the state of Colorado. At Dennison, 87% of students test at or above proficiency in reading, and 84% do so in math.

The main high schools in Lakewood, CO, are Lakewood High School, Green Mountain High School, and Bear Creek High School. Alameda International School also offers both junior high and high school with a focus on international education and IB programs.

There are also several private schools in Lakewood, including Colorado Christian Academy, a co-educational college prep school offering K-12. Those looking for higher education will find plenty of options as the city is home to Colorado Christian University, Red Rocks Community College, and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, the Colorado School of Trades.

Residents are also invited to stop by the Lakewood branch of the Jefferson County Public Library system for books and other media.

Lakewood Statistics & Information

  • County: Jefferson County
  • Lakewood area: 44.6 square miles
  • Lakewood zip code: 80123 - 80456
  • Lakewood area code(s): 303 and 720
  • Lakewood elevation: 5,656 ft
  • Lakewood time zone: Mountain Time Zone (MST)
  • Closest airport to Lakewood: The Denver International Airport (DEN) is 36 miles away.

Map of Lakewood, CO

Discover more activities, attractions, and Lakewood restaurants with this map.

Planning a relocation to this beautiful city? Trust our award-winning movers in Lakewood to make your relocation easy and efficient. Call (702) 381-1200 today for a free moving quote.

Moti Perez
As a cofounder and business owner of Move 4 Less, my passion is to deliver the highest quality of moving services in the industry. My varied background has thought me the value of seeking new challenges, working hard, keeping customers happy and focus on success. In 2002, I got my first taste in the moving industry, working for Nationwide Moving&Storage. For a little over two years I worked in a number of frontline and management positions, learning the ins and outs of the moving industry. The business is now one of the largest moving companies in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. I also had some time in between to open, manage and sell few restaurants and retail business. I continue to invest in Realestate and any other interesting business opportunity.
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