Highlands Ranch, Colorado
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Highlands Ranch is a census-designated place (CDP) in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 70,931 at the 2000 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 61.0 km² (23.5 mi²). 60.9 km² (23.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.09%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 70,931 people, 24,544 households, and 19,733 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,164.4/km² (3,015.4/mi²). There were 25,421 housing units at an average density of 417.3/km² (1,080.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.76% White, 1.29% African American, 0.33% Native American, 4.03% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.42% of the population.There were 24,544 households out of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.0% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 32.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 41.9% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 3.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $136,792, and the median income for a family was $142,563. Males had a median income of $162,474 versus $70,910 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $34,707. About 0.2% of families and 0.25% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.
Homes range in price from starter-home levels on up to $1,500,000+ houses, as well as at least 4 high schools and many primary schools.
Controversy
Highlands Ranch is often used in the national media as the textbook example of urban sprawl. Being primarily composed of single-use zoning, residents are nearly entirely dependent on the automobile as a means of transportation. It is on the fringes of the metro area and consists of some of the areas lowest housing densities, along with a relative dearth of office and retail. What differentiates Highlands Ranch from surrounding communities is its massive area and population (if incorporated, it would be one of the largest cities in Colorado). There are few examples of a single residential development of such massive size anywhere else in the country. Some argue that Highlands Ranch is a primary contributor to traffic woes on Colorado State Highway 470 and on Interstate 25.Others counter that Highlands Ranch is no different from most other suburban development in Denver and around the nation. It is merely its size and population that gives it such a high profile. Highlands Ranch residents tend to be very satisfied with their living situation, arguing that they have little interest in living in higher density neighborhoods or in using alternative forms of transportation.
External links
- [The Metro Districts of Highlands Ranch]
- [www.highlandsranch.com]
- [Highlands Ranch Community Information]
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