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Westminster, CO


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Westminster, Colorado

Introduction to Westminster, Colorado

Westminster is a Colorado city located in Adams and Jefferson Counties, about 13 miles northwest of Denver, the state capital, and 18 miles southeast of the city of Boulder. Westminster is bisected by U.S. Route 36 (also known as the Denver/Boulder Turnpike) and is adjacent to Interstates I-25, I-70 and I-76. Denver International Airport (DIA) is situated only 30 minutes away from the city, which is also adjacent to one of the state's largest corporate airports, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.

Early settlement in the Westminster area coincided with the discovery of gold on Little Dry Creek in 1858 and was strengthened by the subsequent enactment of the Homestead Act of 1862, which attracted many settlers from the east. Westminster's first permanent settler was Pleasant DeSpain, who built his home in 1870 on 160 acres of farmland, and the area soon became known as DeSpain Junction. Other settlers soon followed, one of the more prominent being Edward Bruce Bowles, a horse breeder whose large red brick home stands today as a local museum. Another early settler was C.J. Harris, a real estate developer from Connecticut who inspired the community's name change to Harris. In 1911, Harris became incorporated as a city and underwent yet another name change, this time to Westminster, in honor of a local school (Westminster University) modeled after Princeton University.

Westminster Places of Interest

Westminster offers a wide assortment of recreational, historic, and artistic options to enjoy. Lovers of history can turn back the hands of time and explore Westminster as it was a century ago by visiting the Bowles House Museum, housed in a converted farmhouse originally constructed between 1871 and 1876. The city's Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center offers fascinating insight into invertebrates, science, and conservation; where visitors can explore an indoor tropical rainforest surrounded by nearly 1,200 live butterflies. Westminster's City Hall features a staircase whose 181 stairs climbs to a bell tower with a fabulous view of the Rocky Mountains. The Westminster Promenade is an outdoor pedestrian business and entertainment venue which includes children's play areas, outdoor restaurants and cafes, and numerous trails.

Activities in Denver or Boulder are only a 20 minute drive in either direction and there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding metropolitan areas. Among the more popular sights and sounds are:

  • Hyland Hills Water World: One of the nation's largest water parks with over 60 acres of water slides, tubes, waves and beaches.
  • Denver Art Museum
  • Denver Museum of Nature and Science
  • Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
  • Denver Zoo
  • Six-Flags Elitch Gardens
  • Denver Aquarium
  • Chautauqua Park and Theatre (Boulder)

The Denver metro area is also home to several top professional sports teams. Denver's Pepsi Center is the host site of the National Lacrosse League's Colorado Mammoth, the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets, the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush, and the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. Other major league teams in Denver include the Denver Broncos of the National Football League, Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies, and Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids.

High Points

Westminster strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Colorado):

CategoryTrophy
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)
Top 5%trophyWestminster Racial Diversity
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)
Top 9%Westminster People in Middle Class or Better
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. State)
Top 10%Westminster Low Rate of Poverty
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 10%Westminster Well-Paid Single Women
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 15%Westminster Public Transportation Use
Median Family Income
(vs. State)
Top 16%Westminster Median Family Income
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)
Top 16%Westminster Well-Paid Single Men

Comparative Profile of Westminster, CO

Comparing Westminster to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Colorado (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population96
Well-Paid Single Men89
Well-Paid Single Women810
Racial Diversity710
Children Under 5 Years Old77
Age of the Population34
Female Share of the Population25
Senior Citizens13

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size67
Portion of People Married66

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
People Above Poverty910
People in Middle Class or Better810
Median Family Income79
College Educated Adults78

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Working at Home96
Public Transportation Use89
Short Commute Times43
Walking and Biking to Work24

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built99
Affordability of Property Taxes83
Seasonal and Vacation Housing53
People Living Alone44
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals47
Affordability of Rents32

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime77
Low Property Crime34

Detailed pages on related topics: Westminster collegesWestminster travelWestminster mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Westminster CollegesWestminster Colleges
Westminster colleges and trade schools.
Westminster Hotels & TravelWestminster Hotels & Travel
Westminster hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Westminster MortgageWestminster Mortgage
Westminster property, mortgage, and real estate.

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