Jefferson County

Jefferson County, CO, has an estimated population of about 582,000. The racial composition is predominantly White (around 87%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (13.5%), African American (1.2%), Asian (3%), and Native American (1%). The median household income is approximately $88,000. About 40% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. The population distribution includes 22% under 18 years, 60% between 18 and 64, and 18% aged 65 and older. The median age is roughly 41 years.

As of 2023, Jefferson County, CO, boasts a median home price of approximately $600,000. The area sees a year-over-year appreciation rate of around 10%. The average rental cost for a two-bedroom apartment is roughly $1,800 per month. The homeownership rate in Jefferson County is about 72%, while the vacancy rate is around 3%. The population density is approximately 715 people per square mile, and the average household size is 2.5 persons. The county experiences a competitive housing market with properties typically staying on the market for about 20 days before being sold.

Jefferson County, CO, conducts elections for various positions including county commissioners, city council members, and school board directors. As of the latest election cycle:

• Registered Voters: 470,000+
• Voter Turnout (2022 midterms): 75%

Key Races:

1. County Commissioners:

   • District 1: Tracy Kraft-Tharp (D) vs. incumbent Libby Szabo (R)
   • District 2: Andy Kerr (D) vs. incumbent Tina Francone (R)

2. School Board:

   • District 3: Stephanie Schooley vs. Dan Green
   • District 4: Amanda Stevens vs. Greg Allington

3. City Council (Arvada, Lakewood, Westminster):

   • Arvada At-Large: Lisa Smith vs. Brian McCarthy
   • Lakewood Ward 5: Susan Miller vs. Charles Davis

Election dates, mail-in ballot information, and polling locations can be found on the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder's official website.

Jefferson County, CO, demonstrates strong educational attainment. As of recent data, about 95.8% of residents aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, exceeding the national average of around 88.3% and the Colorado state average of 91.5%. Additionally, approximately 46.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 33.1% and the state average of 42.7%. These metrics indicate that Jefferson County is more educated than both the national and state averages, reflecting its robust educational infrastructure.

As of the latest data, Jefferson County, CO has an employment rate of approximately 96.5%, with about 330,000 residents employed. The top industries in Jefferson County include professional, scientific, and technical services, educational services, and healthcare and social assistance. These sectors employ around 20%, 15%, and 13% of the workforce respectively. Nationally, the professional, scientific, and technical services sector employs about 7%, educational services around 9%, and healthcare approximately 14% of the workforce. Within Colorado, the top industries somewhat mirror those in Jefferson County, though the professional and technical services sector tends to have a slightly lower employment percentage statewide, around 16%. Manufacturing and retail trade also play significant roles in the local economy, with around 10% and 12% of the workforce respectively, which is slightly higher than the national averages of approximately 8% and 10%.

As of the most recent data, Jefferson County, CO, has an average household income of approximately $101,100. Comparatively, the median household income is around $82,000. In contrast, the national average household income stands at about $87,864, with the median at $68,703. For Colorado, the average household income is approximately $94,000, while the median is about $75,231.

This means Jefferson County's income levels are higher than both the national and state averages, indicating a relatively affluent community within the context of broader economic standards.

As of the latest available data, the crime rate in Jefferson County, Colorado, is generally in line with national averages for similar suburban areas. Below is a summary of crime statistics for the county:

These values reflect incidents reported to local law enforcement agencies and compiled by state and federal crime data repositories. Efforts to reduce crime are ongoing and involve community policing, educational programs, and interagency cooperation.