The people who live and work in the Lakewood area have an abundance of recreational opportunities year round. Our location puts us within minutes of the mountains to the west, the City of Denver to the east and the City of Boulder to the north.

In winter, the Rockies offer skiing in its most challenging forms. In less than an hour and a half, you can be at world renowned downhill ski areas. Cross country skiers may choose to try their skills at these areas as well, but cross country skiing is available nearby.

In summer, the mountains offer fishing, backpacking, and camping in glorious settings that rival any scenery in the world. Trails through Roosevelt and Arapahoe National Forests provide days of peace and quiet in which to discover the magnificence of the Rockies.

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DEMOGRAPHICS

Population	144,126
Square Miles	44.696
Density	3,225 persons/mile
Male	71,141	49.4%
Female	72,985	50.6%
AGE
Under 5 years	8,740	6.1%
5 to 9 years	8,843	6.1%
10 to 14 years	9,055	6.3%
15 to 19 years	9,006	6.2%
20 to 24 years	10,290	7.1%
25 to 34 years	22,577	15.7%
35 to 44 years	24,186	16.8%
45 to 54 years	20,461	14.2%
55 to 59 years	7,562	5.2%
60 to 64 years	5,996	4.2%
65 to 74 years	9,313	6.5%
75 to 84 years	5,995	4.2%
85 years +	2,102	1.5%
Median age	36.5
Under 18 years	32,042	22.2%
18 years +	112,084	77.8%
21 years +	106,545	73.9%
62 years +	20,893	14.5%
65 years +	17,410	12.1%
RACE
White	125,611	87.2%
Black	2,128	1.5%
American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut	1,599	1.1%
Asian and Pacific Islander	4,035	2.8%
Other Race	7,028	4.9%
Two or more races	3,725	2.6%
Hispanic Origin (all races)	20,949	14.5%
Median Household Income	$42,121	(1999 CACI estimate)
RELATIONSHIP
Total population	144,126	100%
In households	140,326	97.4%
Householder	60,531	42%
Spouse	27,294	18.9%
Child	36,663	25.4%
Own child under 18 years	29,136	20.2%
Other relatives	6,019	4.2%
Under 18 years	2,033	1.4%
Nonrelatives	9,819	6.8%
Unmarried partner	3,678	2.6%
In group quarters	3,800	2.6%
Institutionalized population	2,721	1.9%
Noninstitutionalized population	1,079	0.7%
HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE
Total households	60,531	100%
Family households	36,474	60.3%
With own children under 18 years	16,556	27.4%
Married-couple family	27,294	45.1%
With own children under 18 years	11,055	18.3%
Female householder, no husband present	6,522	10.8%
With own children under 18 years	4,091	6.8%
Nonfamily households	24,057	39.7%
Householder living alone	18,585	30.7%
Householder 65 years and over	4,720	7.8%
Households with individuals under 18 years	17,958	29.7%
Households with individuals 65 years +	11,870	19.6%
Average household size	2.32
Average family size	2.92
HOUSING OCCUPANCY
Total housing units	62,422	100%
Occupied housing units	60,531	97%
Vacant housing units	1,891	3%
For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use	217	0.3%
Homeowner vacancy rate		0.7%
Rental vacancy rate		3.6 %
HOUSING TENURE
Occupied housing units	60,531	100%
Owner-occupied housing units	36,851	60.9%
Renter-occupied housing units	23,680	39.1%
Average household size of owner-occupied unit	2.41
Average household size of renter-occupied unit	2.17

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CITY OF LAKEWOOD WEBSITE: http://www.ci.lakewood.co.us/

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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY

Jefferson County took the name of the third U.S. President, Thomas Jefferson, master statesman, architect and writer.

Thomas Jefferson
The need for an organized local government began in the late 1850s when droves of gold-seeking settlers came West. In 1858, when gold was discovered in the Rocky Mountains, there were fewer than 200 settlers in the area. An influx of nearly 35,000 people arrived two years later, lured by the glitter of gold. The county was formally organized in 1861 by the Colorado Territorial Legislature.

The history of Jefferson County is rich in Western lore. The county was home to the original capital of the Colorado Territory and boasted gold diggers, cowboys and villains among its residents.

The Pikes Peak Gold Rush of the late 1850s brought the first flock of settlers to the county. Reports of gold in the streams along the Front Range enticed prospectors to the area, and soon after coal was discovered near Coal Creek. By 1859, enough people lived in the area to merit the establishment of Golden City as well as other long-vanished towns, such as Arapahoe City and Golden Gate City.

In 1861, President James Buchanan signed a bill creating the Territory of Colorado. The territory had 17 counties, including Jefferson County, and Golden City was the capital.

In the next 20 years, the county became home to the first railroad in Colorado as well as to Coors Brewing Co. and the Colorado School of Mines. Traces of the Wild West lingered, however. After being released from jail, alleged cannibal Alferd Packer settled in a cave here, and legendary Western showman Buffalo Bill made the county his final resting place.

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SCHOOLS:

LOCAL COLLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITHIN COMMUTING DISTANCE FROM LAKEWOOD:

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