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Fort Collins

#1 in Best Places to Live in Larimer County
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • City in Colorado
  • 764 reviews
    A
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      A
    2. Crime & Safety
      C+
    3. Housing
      B-
    4. Nightlife
      A
    5. Good for Families
      A
    6. Diversity
      B+
    7. Jobs
      B
    8. Weather
      B+
    9. Cost of Living
      C-
    10. Health & Fitness
      A
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A
    12. Commute
      A
    View Full Report Card
    Fort Collins is a city in Colorado with a population of 159,150. Fort Collins is in Larimer County and is one of the best places to live in Colorado. Living in Fort Collins offers residents a suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Fort Collins there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Fort Collins and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Fort Collins are highly rated.
    About Fort Collins...
    Population
    159,150

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $308,800
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $1,191
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      46%
    • Own
      54%
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    Niche may be compensated by the third party lenders and others who place ads on the website. Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. There are many additional borrowing options available.

    Fort Collins Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C+
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      164.6
      282.7
    • Murder
      3.6
      6.1
    • Rape
      26.8
      40.7
    • Robbery
      25.1
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      272.6
      500.1
    • Theft
      2,139.2
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      123.5
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    B+
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      11%
    • 10-17 years
      8%
    • 18-24 years
      23%
    • 25-34 years
      17%
    • 35-44 years
      12%
    • 45-54 years
      10%
    • 55-64 years
      9%
    • 65+ years
      10%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      22%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      32%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      28%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      15%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      4%
      13%
    • Public Schools
    • Private Schools
    • Colleges

    Working in Fort Collins

    Jobs
    B
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $60,110
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Fort Collins
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    Fort Collins Reviews

    764 reviews
    All Categories
    There is so much to do in our college town! Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University and Front Range Community College, providing educational opportunities on many levels. There is an abundance of outdoor recreational possibilities as well, including many neighborhood and regional parks, fishing and rafting on the Poudre River or nearby Thompson River, hiking in Poudre Canyon, or visiting Rocky Mountain National Park just forty-five minutes away. We are also a foodie town, with many restaurants and micro-breweries, as well as home to Budweiser and the Clydesdales. The charm and history of Old Town Fort Collins captures many hearts, especially during the winter holidays light display. We have been proud to call Fort Collins home for the past fifteen years!
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    Active, adorable town. CSU is located here which contributes to many jobs and they have many academic programs. Shopping is great all over town, not to mention great restaurants on just about every corner! It is nestled next to the foothills so there is lots of mountain access for boating, hiking, mountain biking, riding horses, and many other things. There are family friendly activities offered through the city on a regular basis. Healthcare is top of the line and Poudre Valley Hospital a magnet rated hospital also a part of UChealth is amazing and will take care of all your medical needs! There is something for everyone in this friendly town!
    I love the what Fort Collins has to offer as far as the restaurants, breweries, bars, and locally owned shops throughout the city. The traffic and cost of living is a bit rough but it is an overall safe community that values their health and their pets. There are plenty of places to hike and trails to walk throughout the city as well as being only about a 30 minutes drive to more secluded mountains and other fun sights and locations to explore. Northern Colorado has a wide variety of local craft breweries and some are even dog friendly! Definitely plan on staying in the area for as long as I am able to do so.