1st Advantage MortgageArapahoe County households have a median income of $101,087 and median rent of $1,891 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Arapahoe County offer.
On this page
- Population and place: Arapahoe County
- The $101,087 median and what sits around it
- Arapahoe County at the extremes
- The Arapahoe County job picture
- Housing costs in Arapahoe County
- Arapahoe County, Adams County and other neighbors
- Arapahoe County communities by population
- Reading the Arapahoe County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Arapahoe County, in numbers
- Room for a loan payment in Arapahoe County
- Licensing and complaints for Arapahoe County
- A Arapahoe County borrower's checklist
- Other Colorado guides
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Arapahoe County
Arapahoe County is home to about 659,844 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 3rd most populous of 64 county-level areas in Colorado. Density: about 827.0 residents per square mile across 798 square miles of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area. Aurora is the biggest of its 23 Census places, at roughly 394,432 people (60% of the county total).
The $101,087 median and what sits around it
At $101,087, the typical Arapahoe County household income is 54% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 11th among Colorado's 64 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Arapahoe County | +/- vs Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.8% | -2.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.7% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.2% | +1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 18.3% | +1.4 pts |
On the low end, 14% of Arapahoe County households report under $35,000; at the top, 51% report $100,000-plus. Poverty rate, Arapahoe County: 8.6%; Colorado: 9.4%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Arapahoe County median.
Arapahoe County at the extremes
Where Arapahoe County lands at the extremes of Colorado's county rankings:
- Few Colorado counties match Arapahoe County on population: 659,844 here, 5,862,189 for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 64. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- Few Colorado counties match Arapahoe County on the share of mobile homes: 0.7% here, 3.5% for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 64. Site-built housing dominates, which matters for equity-based credit.
- On the housing vacancy rate, Arapahoe County sits near the bottom of Colorado at 4%, 6th lowest of 64. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- Arapahoe County ranks 8th lowest of 64 Colorado counties for median age: 37.3, against 37.7 statewide. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
The Arapahoe County job picture
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 16%. The survey's unemployment rate for Arapahoe County averages 5.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.6%). Long commutes are the exception here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 13,756 Arapahoe County households, 5.3%, have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Arapahoe County | Difference from Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | +0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.7% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -0.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.0% | +1.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | -0.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | -0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Arapahoe County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Arapahoe County
A typical Arapahoe County rental runs $1,891 a month including utilities, which is 7% above Colorado. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 56% of renter households here. With a median value of $561,200, a typical Arapahoe County house costs 5.6 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 65%, renters 35%.
| Housing | Arapahoe County | Colorado statewide | Arapahoe County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 4% | 8% | -3.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 53% | +3.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 0.7% | 3.5% | -2.7 pts |
| Owners | 65% | 66% | -1.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,891/mo | $1,761/mo | 7% higher |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 30% | -0.4 pts |
| Median home value | $561,200 | $539,400 | 4% higher |
56% of Arapahoe County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
Arapahoe County, Adams County and other neighbors
Six nearby counties, 16 to 49 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Arapahoe County; Douglas County is highest at $149,594 and Adams County lowest at $94,571.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe County | - | $101,087 | $1,891/mo | 65% |
| Adams County, CO | 16 mi | $94,571 | $1,781/mo | 69% |
| Elbert County, CO | 26 mi | $132,685 | $1,311/mo | 95% |
| Denver County, CO | 30 mi | $94,718 | $1,831/mo | 49% |
| Douglas County, CO | 39 mi | $149,594 | $2,193/mo | 77% |
| Broomfield County, CO | 44 mi | $123,874 | $2,126/mo | 63% |
| Jefferson County, CO | 49 mi | $110,656 | $1,861/mo | 71% |
Arapahoe County communities by population
23 Census places fall mainly inside Arapahoe County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 628,274 residents, leaving about 5% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $250,001 at the median in Cherry Hills Village, $60,608 in Sheridan. 2 of them have a separate city guide (linked). For the rest, this is the local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | city | 394,432 | $88,368 | $1,835 | 21 mi |
| Centennial | city | 108,201 | $131,928 | $2,148 | 29 mi |
| Englewood | city | 34,129 | $86,800 | $1,668 | 35 mi |
| Four Square Mile | CDP | 23,024 | $80,903 | $1,833 | 30 mi |
| Greenwood Village | city | 15,420 | $149,029 | $2,123 | 31 mi |
| Cherry Creek | CDP | 10,721 | $153,776 | $2,093 | 28 mi |
| Cherry Hills Village | city | 6,354 | $250,001 | n/a | 33 mi |
| Sheridan | city | 6,005 | $60,608 | $1,622 | 36 mi |
| Dove Valley | CDP | 4,806 | $81,524 | $1,934 | 27 mi |
| Glendale | city | 4,531 | $71,250 | $1,815 | 32 mi |
| Bennett | town | 3,663 | $107,736 | $1,407 | 8 mi |
| Strasburg | CDP | 3,455 | $117,845 | $1,362 | 5 mi |
| Inverness | CDP | 2,934 | $109,135 | $2,242 | 29 mi |
| Holly Hills | CDP | 2,572 | $122,391 | n/a | 31 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Reading the Arapahoe County data as a borrower
What the Arapahoe County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 51% at $100,000+. Good credit gets more offers in Arapahoe County; use that to compare, not to borrow more.
- Rent at $1,891. With 56% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Who lives in Arapahoe County, in numbers
In Arapahoe County, 46% of adults have at least a four-year degree (46% in Colorado). 9.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Arapahoe County | Gap to Colorado | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| No health insurance | 9.3% | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.1% | +1.0 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | -0.8 pts | -4.5 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 46.5% | +0.8 pts | +24.3 pts |
| Median age | 37.3 | -0.4 yrs | -4.2 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | +0.3 pts | +0.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | +0.2 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Work from home | 21.0% | 0.0 pts | +12.3 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.2% |
Room for a loan payment in Arapahoe County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Arapahoe County's medians:
- $101,087 a year is $8,424 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,891, takes 22% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,142 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Arapahoe County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Licensing and complaints for Arapahoe County
The Colorado Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Colorado license. A second Colorado office, the Colorado Attorney General's office, which administers the state's Uniform Consumer Credit Code, covers consumer credit. If a Arapahoe County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. Statewide data and rules: Colorado guide.
A Arapahoe County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Arapahoe County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Colorado borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Other Colorado guides
More local guides:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Arapahoe County household make?
About $101,087 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 6% above the Colorado median.
Is Arapahoe County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,891 against $1,761 statewide, and 56% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Arapahoe County?
By population: Aurora, Centennial, Englewood, Four Square Mile, Greenwood Village. The county has 23 Census places in all.
Are Arapahoe County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Arapahoe County?
Look it up with the Colorado Division of Banking, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.