Adams County, Colorado: commercial real estate data.
Adams County, Colorado had an estimated 542,973 residents on July 1, 2024, up 4.5 percent since the 2020 census base of 519,575, across 1,168 square miles. County output reached $43.10 bn in 2024, 11,319 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 785 7(a) approvals worth $525.4 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Adams County
How many people live in Adams County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024530,225
- Households188,730
- Average household size2.81
- Median household income$94,571
- Median age34.8
- Median gross rent$1,781 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$484,200
- Home value to household income5.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income22.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher29.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree9.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over349,914
- Population under 18131,839
- Share under 1824.9 percent
- Population 65 and over59,925
- Share 65 and over11.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64338,461
- Civilian labor force297,883
- Unemployment rate4.6 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over74.8 percent
- Rank by population among Colorado counties5th of 64
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included136th of 3,222
Adams County is the 5th largest of 64 Colorado counties by population. A median home costs 5.1 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 24.9 percent against 11.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Adams County
Is Adams County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024542,973
- Census 2020 base population519,575
- Population change since the 2020 census base4.50 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20247,296
- Births, 20246,278
- Deaths, 20243,457
- Natural change, 20242,821
- Net domestic migration, 2024992
- Net international migration, 20243,441
- Total net migration, 20244,433
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20242,396
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents616th of 3,144
The county has grown 4.50 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Adams County
Where are people moving to Adams County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving25,118
- People arriving, from those returns41,002
- Tax returns filed by households leaving22,900
- Net household movement2,218
- Adjusted gross income arriving$1.60 bn
- Net adjusted gross income movement$100.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$63,727
- Average income of a leaving household$65,520
- Largest single originDenver County (5,537 households)
- Largest single destinationDenver County (3,546 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver County | 5,537 | 9,295 | $363.2 m |
| Jefferson County | 3,851 | 6,174 | $236.6 m |
| Arapahoe County | 3,322 | 5,902 | $185.1 m |
| Weld County | 1,167 | 2,095 | $74.0 m |
| Boulder County | 1,157 | 1,688 | $89.4 m |
| Broomfield County | 1,143 | 1,841 | $89.5 m |
| Douglas County | 540 | 793 | $39.4 m |
| Larimer County | 462 | 641 | $22.9 m |
Households arriving report $1,793 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Denver County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Adams County
What is the Adams County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$43.10 bn
- County GDP, 2023$41.35 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20244.2 percent
- GDP change over five years42.6 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Colorado areas BEA publishes5th of 64
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes137th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$81,290
Output grew 4.2 percent in the latest year and 42.6 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Adams County
Employment by industry in Adams County
- Covered employment, annual average249,299
- Establishments reporting14,156
- Average annual pay$73,817
- Average weekly wage$1,420
- Transportation and warehousing, employment27,096
- Transportation and warehousing, average annual pay$67,233
- Construction, employment26,530
- Construction, average annual pay$84,117
- Retail trade, employment21,901
- Retail trade, average annual pay$44,934
- Health care and social assistance, employment21,519
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$66,791
- Accommodation and food services, employment18,835
- Wholesale trade, employment18,298
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation and warehousing | 27,096 | 693 | $67,233 |
| Construction | 26,530 | 1,956 | $84,117 |
| Retail trade | 21,901 | 1,190 | $44,934 |
| Health care and social assistance | 21,519 | 1,078 | $66,791 |
| Accommodation and food services | 18,835 | 897 | $32,070 |
| Wholesale trade | 18,298 | 1,184 | $92,327 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 16,743 | 922 | $52,629 |
| Manufacturing | 13,483 | 514 | $76,074 |
Transportation and warehousing is the largest private sector at 27,096 jobs, 10.9 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Adams County
How many businesses are in Adams County?
- Establishments, all industries11,319
- Employment at those establishments207,227
- Annual payroll$13.23 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents21.3
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Adams County
Building permits in Adams County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20242,371
- Declared construction value permitted$805.9 m
- Single family units authorized2,028
- Multifamily units authorized343
- Multifamily share of units14.5 percent
- Average declared value per unit$339,915
- Units authorized per 1,000 households12.6
Single-family homes are 85.5 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Adams County
SBA loans in Adams County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded785
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$525.4 m
- Average 7(a) approval$669,333
- Median 7(a) approval$283,500
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,860,440
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)8,206
- Jobs per approval10.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active99
- Distinct industries receiving approvals219
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer17.8 percent
- Loans on real estate terms140
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter616
- Franchise loans94
- Franchise share of approvals12.0 percent
- Leading industry by approval countPlumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (26)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (78)
- 504 approvals recorded238
- 504 gross approval dollars$227.5 m
- Average 504 approval$955,971
- Median 504 approval$660,000
- Distinct CDCs active8
- 504 jobs per approval8.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved9.2
- Most active CDCB:Side Capital (170)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$752.9 m
The average approval of $669,333 sits well above the median of $283,500, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 17.8 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Adams County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Adams County
Do SBA loans in Adams County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded132
- Paid in full117
- Charged off15
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans11.4 percent
- Status: Paid in full117
- Status: Exempt from disclosure515
- Status: Cancelled101
- Status: Charged off15
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed37
Of the 132 loans that have reached a final outcome, 11.4 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Adams County
SBA lending by place in Adams County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending21
- Denver, approvals162
- Thornton, approvals132
- Commerce City, approvals126
- Westminster, approvals100
- Aurora, approvals83
- Brighton, approvals67
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 162 | $131,571,400 |
| Thornton | 132 | $77,643,500 |
| Commerce City | 126 | $84,338,600 |
| Westminster | 100 | $48,421,400 |
| Aurora | 83 | $67,784,600 |
| Brighton | 67 | $28,689,600 |
| Northglenn | 47 | $15,126,700 |
| Henderson | 26 | $35,441,200 |
| 13 other borrower cities | 42 | $36,409,400 |
Denver accounts for 162 approvals against 132 in Thornton. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Adams County
How large is Adams County?
- Land area1,168 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Colorado counties39th of 64
- Width, east to west71.6 mi
- Height, north to south18.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land454
- Establishments per square mile9.69
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Adams County
Flood risk in Adams County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Adams County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 080001
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 8
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book10
- Of those, participating in the NFIP10
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 5
- Communities carrying a CRS class5
- Radon levels in Adams County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Adams County (community 080001), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 8, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Adams County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 5, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Adams County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Adams County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024530,225
- Households188,730
- Average household size2.81
- Median household income$94,571
- Median age34.8
Common questions
Adams County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Adams County, Colorado?
The Census Bureau estimates 542,973 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 530,225, in 188,730 households, ranking 5th of 64 Colorado counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Adams County's population growing?
The population has grown 4.50 percent since the 2020 census base of 519,575, to 542,973 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 6,278 births against 3,457 deaths, with net migration of 4,433. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Adams County?
$94,571. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $484,200, which is 5.1 times income, and median gross rent is $1,781 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Adams County?
11,319 establishments, employing 207,227 people with an annual payroll of $13.23 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Adams County?
Transportation and warehousing is the largest private sector at 27,096 jobs, 10.9 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 249,299 jobs at an average annual pay of $73,817, or $1,420 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Adams County?
785 7(a) approvals totaling $525.4 m since FY2020, across 99 lenders, with a median approval of $283,500, plus 238 504 approvals worth $227.5 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Adams County get paid back?
Of the 132 loans that have reached a final outcome, 117 were paid in full and 15 charged off, a charge-off rate of 11.4 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Adams County?
2,371 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $805.9 m. Multifamily was 14.5 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Adams County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Adams County come from?
The largest single origin is Denver County, with 5,537 households. Arriving households report an average income of $63,727 against $65,520 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Adams County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Adams County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Adams County
Cities and places in Adams.
19 Census places lie wholly or partly in Adams County. All 19 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | city | 394,432 | 83 | 39.1 percent here, 59.5 percent Arapahoe County |
| Thornton | city | 144,187 | 132 | Wholly in this county |
| Westminster | city | 115,484 | 100 | 50.1 percent here, 49.9 percent Jefferson County |
| Commerce City | city | 66,445 | 126 | Wholly in this county |
| Brighton | city | 42,059 | 67 | 88.9 percent here, 11.1 percent Weld County |
| Northglenn | city | 38,014 | 47 | 86.8 percent here, 13.2 percent Weld County |
| Sherrelwood | CDP | 18,692 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Welby | CDP | 16,197 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Federal Heights | city | 14,125 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Berkley | CDP | 10,789 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lochbuie | town | 8,609 | None recorded | 5.6 percent here, 94.4 percent Weld County |
| Derby | CDP | 8,453 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Twin Lakes | CDP | 8,030 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Shaw Heights | CDP | 5,565 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Todd Creek | CDP | 5,379 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bennett | town | 3,663 | 5 | 74.4 percent here, 25.6 percent Arapahoe County |
| Strasburg | CDP | 3,455 | 2 | 9.5 percent here, 90.5 percent Arapahoe County |
| Watkins | CDP | 847 | 2 | 3.6 percent here, 96.4 percent Arapahoe County |
| North Washington | CDP | 294 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 213 of the county's 785 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Adams County, the largest being Denver (162), Henderson (26), Arvada (9). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.