Is Cherry Creek Safe, Pros and cons of living in Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek, a vibrant neighborhood within Denver, Colorado, offers a unique blend of upscale living, abundant amenities, and a strong community feel. Known for its luxury shopping, fine dining, and accessible green spaces, it presents an attractive proposition for those seeking a sophisticated urban lifestyle. This guide delves into the specifics of living in Cherry Creek, covering safety, cost of living, job market, climate, schools, and demographics to provide a comprehensive overview for potential residents.
The area boasts a high median household income and a low poverty rate, indicating a generally prosperous community. Its strategic location within the Denver metropolitan area provides residents with convenient access to a wide range of recreational and cultural opportunities. Understanding the nuances of Cherry Creek is key for anyone considering making this dynamic neighborhood their home.
Is it Safe to Live in Cherry Creek?
Cherry Creek’s crime rates are a complex picture, with some categories showing significant decreases while others remain areas of concern. In the past year, reported violent crime has seen a substantial decrease of 72.5%, with only 11 incidents reported so far this year compared to 40 at the same point last year (according to Denver Crimes). Property crime has also decreased by 15.9% (according to Denver Crimes). This suggests a trend towards increased safety in these areas.
However, burglaries have seen an increase of 12.8% (according to Denver Crimes), and bike thefts are up by 9.1% (according to Denver Crimes). While overall crime rates are reported as 45% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes), and violent crimes are 50% lower (according to AreaVibes), the specific rise in certain property crimes warrants attention. Residents often consider the southeast part of Cherry Creek to be the safest area within the neighborhood (according to CrimeGrade.org).
Cost of Living in Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is characterized by a significantly high cost of living, substantially above both the national and Denver averages. The overall cost of living in Cherry Creek is 88% higher than the national average, and 64% higher than the Denver average (according to AreaVibes). This elevated cost is largely driven by housing expenses, which are 273% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes).
The median home value in Cherry Creek is reported as $797,232 (according to Livability.com), with recent data from March 2026 indicating a median home price of $1.2 million, a decrease of 27.0% compared to the previous year (according to Redfin). Rents also reflect this high cost, with the average rent for an apartment being $2,919, a decrease of 5.96% from the prior year (according to RentCafe). Other sources place the average rent at $2,250, which is 12.5% higher than the national average (according to Zillow).
Housing Market
The housing market in Cherry Creek is notably competitive and expensive. As of March 2026, the median sale price of a home was $1.2 million, a figure that has seen a year-over-year decrease of 27.0% (as reported by Redfin). Homes in this area typically sell within an average of 26 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).
Alternatively, the median listing home price in Cherry Creek is $1,150,000, with active listings spending an average of 41 days on the market (according to Realtor.com®). Another report indicates a median home price of $1,800,000 over the last 30 days, representing a 29.5% year-over-year increase (according to Orchard). The median home value is approximately $884,883, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% over the past year (according to Zillow).
Rental Market
Rental prices in Cherry Creek are also considerably high, reflecting the overall cost of living. The average rent for an apartment is $2,919, which has decreased by 5.96% compared to the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). Studio apartments are the most budget-friendly option, averaging $1,728 (as reported by RentCafe).
One-bedroom apartments average $2,420, while two-bedroom units are priced at $3,593 (as reported by RentCafe). Other sources indicate the average rent in Cherry Creek to be $2,250, which is 12.5% higher than the national average (as reported by Zillow). Apartments for rent in Cherry Creek typically range from $1,285 to $4,150 (as reported by Zillow).
Job Market and Economy
Cherry Creek’s economy is robust, characterized by a high median income and a strong presence in professional and technical services. The median household income in Cherry Creek is $178,187 (according to Livability.com), and the average per capita income is $90,330 (according to Data USA). The unemployment rate in Cherry Creek is reported as 1.3% (according to Niche), which is very low and indicates a healthy job market.
Employment sectors that are most common for residents include Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the area contribute to its economic vitality, with significant industries including wealth management and healthcare (as noted by the Cherry Creek Alliance). The Cherry Creek School District itself is a major employer, offering competitive pay and benefits (as stated by Cherry Creek Careers).
Major Employers
The Cherry Creek area is home to a diverse range of employers, contributing to its status as a significant economic hub. The Cherry Creek Alliance highlights its role as Colorado’s third-largest economic center, with a strong concentration of businesses in wealth management and healthcare (as noted by the Cherry Creek Alliance). This concentration of specialized industries provides numerous employment opportunities for skilled professionals.
Beyond these core sectors, the Cherry Creek School District is a substantial employer, seeking dedicated individuals to join its highly-achieving team (as stated by Cherry Creek Careers). Additionally, companies like Forum Real Estate Group and Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club are recognized as leading employers in the area (as reported by Zippia), showcasing the variety of professional fields represented in Cherry Creek.
Climate in Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek experiences a semi-arid climate with distinct seasons, characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The average annual temperature ranges from a low of 17°F to a high of 89°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The area receives an average of 18 inches of rainfall annually, with May being the wettest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Winter snowfall averages around 51 inches per year (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The hottest month is typically July, with average high temperatures around 87°F and lows of 61°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, December is the coldest month, with average highs of 44°F and lows of 21°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education in Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is served by the highly-regarded Cherry Creek School District No. 5, which is recognized as a high-performing district in Colorado. The district ranks 30th out of 115 in the state and holds a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger (as reported by SchoolDigger). It encompasses 70 schools, including elementary, middle, and high school campuses.
Cherry Creek High School is particularly noted, ranking as the second-best public high school in Colorado and receiving a 5-star rating (as reported by SchoolDigger). The district boasts strong student outcomes, with high schools having an average 84.2% four-year graduation rate and a low 1.9% dropout rate (as reported by SchoolDigger). Cherry Creek Charter Academy is also highly rated, recognized as the best charter K-8 school in Colorado (as reported by Niche).
Demographics of Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek has a population of approximately 10,700 residents, with a median age of 44.1 years (as reported by Data USA). The demographic makeup is predominantly White, accounting for about 67.89% of the population, followed by Asian residents at 12.87% (as reported by Data USA). Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 11.3% of the population (as reported by Data USA).
The community is largely composed of citizens, with 93% of residents being US citizens (as reported by Data USA). A notable percentage, 16%, of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA). The poverty rate in Cherry Creek is reported at 4.97%, which is significantly lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA).
Age and Gender Distribution
The age distribution in Cherry Creek shows a median age of 44.1 years (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of the population falls into the adult age brackets, with those aged 25-44 making up 46.4% and individuals aged 45-64 comprising 21% of residents (as reported by Wikipedia). Those aged 65 and older represent approximately 16.9% of the population (as reported by Wikipedia).
Gender-wise, there are slightly more males than females in Cherry Creek. For every 100 females, there are approximately 112.7 males (as reported by Data USA). This slight male majority is consistent across different age groups, contributing to the neighborhood’s demographic profile.
Race and Ethnicity
The racial composition of Cherry Creek is diverse, with White residents forming the majority. White (Non-Hispanic) individuals constitute about 5.21 times more of the population than any other race or ethnicity (as reported by Data USA). Asian residents represent the second-largest group, followed by those identifying with two or more races (as reported by Data USA).
Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 11.3% of the population (as reported by Data USA). While Caucasian residents are the most numerous, the presence of significant Asian and Hispanic communities adds to the cultural richness of Cherry Creek. A small percentage of residents, around 16%, were born outside the country, contributing to the area’s diverse background (as reported by Data USA).