Is Fountain Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fountain

Fountain, Colorado, situated in El Paso County, offers a blend of suburban living with convenient access to the natural beauty of the Front Range. Its proximity to Colorado Springs provides residents with a wide array of amenities and opportunities, while the city itself maintains a distinct community feel. This guide explores the various facets of life in Fountain, covering safety, cost of living, employment, climate, education, and demographics to help you make an informed decision about making this city your home.

The city is part of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area and is strategically located along Interstate 25. Fountain’s landscape is characterized by views of Pike’s Peak and easy access to outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and biking in the nearby mountains. The Fountain Creek Regional Park also offers local green spaces and trails for residents to enjoy without venturing far from home.

Is it Safe to Live in Fountain?

Fountain presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that warrant consideration. The overall crime rate in Fountain is 12% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This equates to an average of 1.82 daily crimes, which includes 0.37 violent incidents and 1.45 property-related offenses (as reported by AreaVibes). Fountain ranks in the 43rd percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 43% of cities but less safe than 57% (as reported by CrimeGrade). However, some sources indicate that the crime rate is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Specific crime statistics reveal that there were 135 violent crimes reported in Fountain, which is 34.1% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime in Fountain is 8% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Fountain is 1 in 208, and for property crime, it is 1 in 53 (as reported by AreaVibes). Conversely, other data indicates that over the past five years, Fountain recorded 1,188 violent crimes and 3,150 property crimes, with an average violent crime rate of 56.3 per 100k residents, which is 47.0% below the national average, and property crime averaging 161.8 per 100k, 1.1% below the national average (as reported by FBI Crime Data Explorer). Fountain residents generally consider the central part of the city to be the safest, with chances of victimization ranging from 1 in 22 in the northwest neighborhoods to 1 in 58 in the central areas (as reported by CrimeGrade).

Cost of Living

Housing Costs

The housing market in Fountain offers a range of prices, with recent data showing the median home value at approximately $394,609 (as reported by Zillow). Over the past year, home values have seen a slight decrease of 1.3% (as reported by Zillow). For those considering renting, the median monthly rent in Fountain is approximately $1,596 (as reported by Livability.com). This figure places Fountain’s rent prices about 3% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). A studio apartment averages around $921 per month, a one-bedroom is about $1,596, and a two-bedroom can be expected to cost around $1,631 (as reported by Apartments.com).

When it comes to homeownership, the median home price in Fountain was $400,000 in the last 30 days, showing a slight increase of 1.6% year-over-year (as reported by Orchard). The median listing home price is $409,900 (as reported by Realtor.com). For those looking to rent, the average rent for apartments in Fountain is between $1,670 and $2,055 in 2026 (as reported by Rent.com). A one-bedroom apartment averages $1,670, and a two-bedroom averages $2,055 (as reported by Rent.com). Another source indicates the average rent in Fountain is $2,200, which is 10% higher than the national average (as reported by Zillow).

Overall Cost of Living

Fountain’s overall cost of living is considered to be 2% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). However, when compared to the state of Colorado, Fountain is more affordable, being 16% less expensive to live in than the average city in Colorado (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Housing expenses in Fountain are 6% lower than the national average, and utility prices are 21% lower (as reported by Payscale). Transportation expenses are also slightly lower, at 1% less than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Grocery prices in Fountain are about 3% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare costs are approximately 4% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median household income in Fountain is $84,119 (as reported by Livability.com), with another source reporting $86,242 (as reported by Point2Homes). To live comfortably, with an average rent of $1,596, one would need to earn about $5,320 per month or $63,840 per year (as reported by Apartments.com).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Fountain’s economy is supported by a variety of employers, with a significant presence of military and government-related entities due to its proximity to Fort Carson Army Installation. Fort Carson Military Base is listed as a major employer, falling under homeland security (as reported by City of Fountain). Other key employers include Kroger/Windigo Logistics (transportation), RMB Products (specialized manufacturing), Pavestone (manufacturing), and Adesa/Carvana (automotive) (as reported by City of Fountain). National companies with offices in Fountain include Groendyke Transport, Roush, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Edw. C. Levy Co., and Ent Credit Union (as reported by Zippia).

The broader Pikes Peak region, which includes Fountain and Colorado Springs, boasts a talent pool of 285,000 individuals. The State of Colorado’s largest employer, Fort Carson Army Installation, is a direct neighbor to Fountain, with a sustained enlistment of over 13,800 personnel (as reported by City of Fountain). The Department of Defense’s presence along the Colorado Front Range contributes significantly to the regional economy, creating substantial job opportunities locally (as reported by City of Fountain). At a local level, the City of Fountain itself has approximately 320 businesses employing around 34,510 individuals (as reported by City of Fountain).

Unemployment and Salaries

The unemployment rate in Fountain was reported as 4.9% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). In March 2026, Colorado’s unemployment rate was 3.9%, unchanged from the previous month (as reported by USAFacts). The average annual salary in Fountain is reported to be around $43,656, which equates to approximately $20.99 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, another source indicates the average salary for jobs in Fountain, Colorado, is $67,437 per year, or $32 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). The majority of salaries in Fountain range between $31,667 and $53,227 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

The median individual income in Fountain was reported as $46,924 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). A different source states the median household income is $86,242 (as reported by Point2Homes), with a reported median income of $84,119 (as reported by Livability.com). The average pay for an “Average Pay” position in Fountain is $59,543 annually, or approximately $28.63 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Climate

Temperatures

Fountain, Colorado, experiences a climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Summers are warm, with daytime highs in July typically reaching around 86°F, and nighttime lows around 60°F (as reported by Time and Date). The hot season generally lasts from early June to mid-September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 78°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Winter in Fountain is very cold and snowy, with temperatures in January dropping to an average high of 45°F and a low of 22°F (as reported by Time and Date).

The cold season typically spans from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 52°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The temperature variation throughout the year typically ranges from 21°F to 87°F, rarely falling below 5°F or exceeding 94°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures, with pleasant conditions ideal for outdoor activities.

Precipitation

Fountain maintains relatively dry conditions for much of the year, with an average annual precipitation of about 15 inches (as reported by Livability.com). The wet season generally lasts from late March to mid-October, with a chance of a wet day (defined as at least 0.04 inches of precipitation) exceeding 19% during this period (as reported by Weather Spark). July is typically the wettest month, receiving approximately 3.2 inches of precipitation over an average of 9.1 wet days (as reported by Weather Spark).

Conversely, the dry season extends from mid-October to late March. January sees the least amount of rain, with an average of only 0.0 inches of precipitation over about 1.2 days (as reported by Weather Spark). Snowfall is also a factor during the winter months, with an average annual snowfall of 26 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

Education

School Ratings

Fountain is served by Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, which is a public school district with an above-average rating (as reported by Niche). The district serves approximately 7,885 students in grades PK-12, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 22% of students are proficient in math and 41% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche).

Top-rated schools in Fountain include Jordahl Elementary School, Eagleside Elementary School, and Fountain-Fort Carson High School (as reported by Niche). Jordahl Elementary School and Eagleside Elementary School consistently perform above district and state averages in English Language Arts and Math proficiency (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Other elementary schools in the district include Mesa Elementary School and Mountainside Elementary School, while Fountain Middle School and Janitell Junior High School serve older students.

Demographics

Population and Diversity

Fountain is home to approximately 29,300 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The population has seen a slight decrease, with a projected population of 29,242 in 2026, and a decrease of 2.16% since the 2020 census recorded a population of 29,887 (as reported by World Population Review). The median age in Fountain is 30 years (as reported by World Population Review). For every 100 females, there are approximately 101.7 males (as reported by World Population Review).

The racial makeup of Fountain is predominantly White, with approximately 65.98% identifying as White (as reported by World Population Review). African Americans constitute about 8.66% of the population, while other races make up smaller percentages (as reported by World Population Review). Hispanic or Latino individuals comprise about 25.3% of the population (as reported by Data USA). In terms of citizenship, 97% of Fountain residents are US citizens, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Household and Income

Fountain has about 10,454 households, with an average of 3 members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Of these households, 71.8% are families, while 28.2% are individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income in Fountain is $86,242 (as reported by Point2Homes), representing a slight increase from the previous year (as reported by Point2Homes). The median income for a family was $44,735 in 2020 (as reported by Wikipedia).

Males had a median income of $31,192, while females had a median income of $24,000 in 2020 (as reported by Wikipedia). The per capita income for the city was $15,975 in 2020 (as reported by Wikipedia). Housing expenses are 6% lower than the national average, and utility prices are 21% lower (as reported by Payscale). Overall, Fountain’s cost of living is 2% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Pros and Cons of Living in Fountain

Pros

Fountain offers a compelling lifestyle for those seeking a balance between suburban tranquility and outdoor adventure. The city’s proximity to Colorado Springs provides access to a wider range of employment opportunities, shopping, and cultural attractions. Residents can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Front Range, with numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities right at their doorstep. The Fountain Creek Regional Park offers local green spaces and trails, enhancing the quality of life for outdoor enthusiasts.

The cost of living in Fountain is generally more affordable than in many other parts of Colorado, particularly in terms of housing and utilities, which are lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The community is home to a diverse population and a range of educational institutions, including well-regarded public schools within the Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 (as reported by Niche). The presence of major employers like Fort Carson Military Base also contributes to a stable job market.

Cons

While Fountain offers many advantages, potential residents should be aware of certain drawbacks. The crime rate in Fountain is higher than the national average, with particular concerns regarding both violent and property crimes (as reported by AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout). Although specific data varies, it is higher than the national average in several metrics. Additionally, while the cost of living is more affordable than the Colorado average, it is still slightly higher than the national average overall (as reported by Payscale).

The average salaries reported in Fountain can be lower than in other areas, with some sources indicating an average annual salary around $43,656 (as reported by ZipRecruiter), which may require careful budgeting, especially considering the cost of living. The climate, while offering sunshine, also includes very cold and snowy winters, which may not appeal to everyone.