Peterson House · National Register of Historic Places
Dakota Ridge’s story
Dakota Ridge in pictures
The archive holds 5 maps from 1945 on.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Bradford House II · Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0
Population
33,753
Census survey, 2020–24
Median home value
$605K
Census ACS
Household income
$121K
median
Median age
41.1
years
Jobs based here
3,992
A commuter town
Is Dakota Ridge a good place to live?
A good place to live, if you can afford it. Where it does best is health (A+): CDC estimates put its residents' health ahead of 96% of the country. With an A overall, Dakota Ridge is better than 90% of U.S. towns and ranks 14th of 158 in Colorado. Add incomes to its strengths — the median household earns $121K. The drawback is cost of living: the typical home is worth about $605K, 5.7 years of the Denver metro’s $106K median household income. The town’s trail density is 2.5 miles per square mile, above both the Colorado town median (1.3) and the median of U.S. towns (0.4). Peterson House and Bradford House II is on the National Register of Historic Places. This Colorado town is easier to get around on foot or by transit than three quarters of U.S. towns.
Figures: health, CDC PLACES · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24 · home values, Zillow · OpenStreetMap · National Register of Historic Places.
How Dakota Ridge grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Colorado), ordered by how far Dakota Ridge is from typical.
HealthCentura Health-St. Anthony Hospital 6.8 miles awayA+Open →Jobs & incomeAmong the best of the towns comparedAOpen →Cost of livingBased on what homes cost against what households earnC−Open →SchoolsSchools do better than mostA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 10.2 of 20; 1.8% of households have no car; 1.9% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB+Open →Hazard riskHail tops the listC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsBased on green space, trails and conserved landA+Open →History1 place on the National RegisterC−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
What makes Dakota Ridge stand out
Where Dakota Ridge beats most towns.
26 measures vs. Colorado
7 better19 too close to call0 worse
| Widest gap | Dakota Ridge | CO |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 7.4% | 11.1% |
HealthA+
Beats CO on 7 of 26 CDC measures, trails it on none
Less healthyHealthier
CDC PLACES 2025 estimates.
Jefferson County School District No. R-1
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Powderhorn Elementary School | PK–5 | 522 |
| Westridge Elementary School | PK–5 | 400 |
| Kendallvue Elementary School | PK–5 | 370 |
SchoolsA−
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
Get outside
24 miles of trails in Dakota Ridge
23.1% of the town is conserved land, across 23 parks and preserves.
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Dakota Ridge.
Dakota Ridge sends most of its workers to Denver and beyond and has a shorter frost-free season than most of the country, though not than most of Colorado.
OutdoorsA+
Protected land: 23.1% of Dakota Ridge
#34for trails in CO
In 23 parks and preserves, walkers have 24 miles of trail. Robert A. Easton Regional Park, at 448 acres with 3.1 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve. Parks and preserves in Dakota Ridge: 23, covering 857 acres.
23.1%
conserved · 1,422 of 6,166 acres
24 mi
of trails · 2.5 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Robert A. Easton Regional Park | 3.1 mi | 448 |
| 2. Harriman Lake Park | 3.1 mi | 132 |
| 3. Weaver Creek Park | 0.8 mi | 21 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsA−
Dakota Ridge’s schools rank ahead of 78% of Colorado districts
78%of CO districts it outscoresA−School Grade
Three of its 11 schools are below, each with the reason it’s listed. Its public schools are run by the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. 4 public schools serve Dakota Ridge, with 1,659 students in all.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Ridge Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 851 | B− |
| Dakota Ridge Senior High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,277 | A |
| D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High SchoolTop results in townGrades 6–12 | Grades 6–12 | 1,212 | A+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CO on state tests and graduation
HealthA+
For health, Dakota Ridge earns an A+
96%healthier than U.S. townsA+Health Grade
In Dakota Ridge, 7.9% of adults have diabetes. 12% of adults in Dakota Ridge get no exercise outside work; 23% have obesity.
| Dakota Ridge | Colorado towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 21% | 18% | 16% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 12% | 16% | 25% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 23% | 26% | 35% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 27% | 35% |
26 measures vs. Colorado
7 better19 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Dakota Ridge | CO |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 7.4% | 11.1% |
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 6.3% | 9.2% |
Centura Health-St. Anthony Hospital
6.8 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
74th
percentile among CO towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A
Most of Dakota Ridge’s workers leave town for work
4%work in town
Dakota Ridge has 3,992 jobs for its 17,222 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out. Jobs based here grew from 2,884 in 2013 to 3,992.
24% of Dakota Ridge workers do their job from home. Only 4% of working residents stay in Dakota Ridge for work; the rest commute out. Jobs in Dakota Ridge grew by 1,108 from 2013 to 2023, reaching 3,992. Half the trips to work are shorter than 11 miles.
| Dakota Ridge | Colorado towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 24% | 18% | 11% |
| Median household income | $121,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 4.4% | 8.5% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 3.6% | 7.8% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Dakota Ridge4%
Denver25%
Lakewood15%
Centennial4%
Aurora4%
11 mi
median commute distance
3,992
jobs based in Dakota Ridge
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 75% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
Expect four seasons and pleasant summers in Dakota Ridge
34″snow a winter
The Marston Fltr Plt weather station records that the frost-free season runs about 160 days: shorter than most of the country, but longer than 89% of Colorado places with climate records.
In July, afternoons reach 87°; in January, nights fall to 19°, and about 34 inches of snow falls in a winter.
Typical low → high °F
Winter19–47°
Spring34–62°
Summer55–85°
Fall36–66°
Oct 11
typical first frost
May 2
typical last frost
+1.4°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Who lives here
More middle-aged adults than Colorado overall
41.1median age · CO 37.7
Adults 35 to 64 are 43% of residents (39% statewide). The share of adults 25 and older in Dakota Ridge who hold a bachelor’s degree or more: 51%. The age of the median resident for Dakota Ridge comes to 41.1 years.
| Dakota Ridge | Colorado towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 51% | 44% | 29% |
| Under 18 | 20% | 22% | 22% |
| Median age | 41.1 years | 38.3 years | 40.5 years |
| Aged 65 or older | 16% | 15% | 18% |
Dakota RidgeColoradoUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma3%
High school18%
Some college18%
Associate’s10%
Bachelor’s34%
Graduate17%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.4 points. Across Colorado, 49.3% of residents are women. Median age: women 42.5, men 39.5.
| Dakota Ridge | CO | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 8.3% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 11.7% | 10.1% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.7% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 14.1% | 15.7% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 14.6% | 14.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 13.1% | 12.2% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 15.5% | 11.8% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 10.7% | 9.6% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 5.3% | 5.9% | 7% |
| No diploma | 3.3% | 7.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 17.8% | 19.7% | 26% |
| Some college | 17.9% | 19.2% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10% | 8.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 33.6% | 28.1% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 17.4% | 17.6% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C+
Moderate risk in Dakota Ridge, with hail at the top
52risk score of 100
Dakota Ridge has had one paid flood insurance claim since 2023. Storm and flood damage is expected to run higher than in 52% of U.S. communities. FEMA puts a third of the town’s expected hazard losses down to hail, and 33% to inland flooding.
FEMA risk score
HailInland floodingTornadoes
1
paid flood claims since 2023
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HousingCost of living grade C−
The median home in Dakota Ridge sells for about $607K
$607Kmedian sale price
For households in Dakota Ridge, the share who live in a home they own is 84%. The town’s midpoint rent stands at $2,176 a month. In Dakota Ridge, nearly a third of sales closed above the list price.
| Dakota Ridge | Colorado towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,176 a month | $1,807 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 84% | 71% | 73% |
Market temperature
14
days on market
99.7%
sale-to-list price
36
homes sold in September
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Dakota Ridge
17pages on Dakota Ridge
The big questions
Out and about
Day to day
Nearby attractions
All 92 attractions →Red Rocks Amphitheatre and 61 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Dakota Ridge. Close and well known come first.
Big draw5 mi TheatreRed Rocks Amphitheatre
Big draw11 mi Stadium & arenaEmpower Field at Mile High
11 mi Stadium & arenaBall Arena
12 mi Stadium & arenaCoors Field
3 mi LandmarkColumbine Memorial
11 mi Theme parkElitch Gardens Theme ParkSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Empower Field at Mile High: Thelastcanadian, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ball Arena: KM Newnham, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Coors Field: Matt Kozlowski, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Columbine Memorial: Denverjeffrey, CC BY 3.0 · Elitch Gardens Theme Park: USGS, Public domain
Getting set up
Moving to Dakota Ridge: who provides what
Dakota Ridge is unincorporated, so Jefferson County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerXcel Energy15.9¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterLakehurst WSDNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet10 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesJefferson CountyJefferson County provides services here
Register to voteOnlineIn Colorado you can register online until 8 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 8 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereJefferson County Clerk and RecorderJefferson County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP codes80127, 80465, 8023580127 70% · 80465 26% · 80235 4%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
A commuter town
96% of working residents leave Dakota Ridge for work
Where Dakota Ridge’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
3,992jobs based in Dakota Ridge
4%of working residents work in town
11 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
After high school
Colleges nearby
14 within 15 miles of the center of Dakota Ridge
Denver SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Littleton6 miArapahoe Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Littleton6.1 mi$4,434 in-state tuitionColorado School of MinesUniversity or college · Public · Golden10.3 mi$21,914 in-state tuition
About 5 of every 100 Dakota Ridge residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Colorado.
Dakota Ridge’s neighbors
2 towns share a border with Dakota Ridge.
Ken CarylLakewoodDakota Ridge
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CO rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Ridge | #14 | A | C− | — | A− | A+ |
| Ken Caryl | #11 | A | C− | — | A− | A+ |
| Lakewood | #97 | B− | C− | D− | A− | A |
Dakota Ridge and Ken Caryl report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Dakota Ridge with a neighbor →
Questions about Dakota Ridge
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Dakota Ridge, CO a good place to live?
For most people who can afford it, yes. Dakota Ridge grades A overall, better than 90% of U.S. towns and #14 of 158 in Colorado. It grades A+ for health and A− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Dakota Ridge, CO expensive?
Yes. The typical home is worth about $605,000, 14% above the Colorado typical home. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.
Dakota Ridge is in here
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